EVER WONDER by Jacque Scott: Vaseline Uses

Vaseline Uses

Please don’t throw away that little humble pot of Vaseline. A tub of petroleum jelly is a staple part of most households, but most of us under-use this “wonder jelly” that can be put to many good uses.

Vaseline was discovered in a little Pennsylvania town around 1859.  A 22 year-old British chemist named Robert Augustus Chesebrough observed the remarkable skin healing properties of this naturally occurring by-product of the oil drilling process. He watched oilmen using petroleum jelly to heal cuts and burns and set about purifying the product for general use. His “Wonder Jelly” under the name of Vaseline eventually appeared in 1872. By 1874, Vaseline petroleum jelly was being sold across the US at a rate of a jar per minute.Now how many ways of using this humble little pot of Vaseline can we find?  Let’s see…

Vaseline is a great home remedy for dry feet and cracked heels. Simply slather your feet in Vaseline and put on a pair of socks.

Vaseline is a great moisturizer, and it won’t clog your pores. It doesn’t soak in very readily however and is best used as a night cream.

Use Vaseline as a cheap, cheek highlighter. Apply a minuscule amount for a glowing, dewy look.

Avoid pulling out your real lashes when trying to yank off a particularly stubborn false lash. Use Vaseline to unstick the glue.

Mend your cuticles by blobbing Vaseline around them.

Many, many, many years ago I learned to carry a little tin of Vaseline for using on my chapped lips. Of course, now Vaseline makes its own little balm sized container but either way, it’s a great use for this old product.

Stop buying expensive body scrubs.  Add a little sea salt  and you have a wonderful body scrub..

Extend the lasting power of an expensive perfume by applying a blob of Vaseline to your wrists before spritzing.

Use Vaseline as a makeup remover by dipping cotton Q-tips into Vaseline and gently removing make-up from your eyes.

Rub Vaseline into the cut or carved edges of your Halloween pumpkins to slow down the rotting and keep your pumpkin looking pristine for Halloween!

Avoid little one’s tears at bath time by applying a thin line of Vaseline just above the eyebrows, encouraging the water and soap suds to run down the side of the face rather than in the eyes.

To slow down battery corrosion, disconnect car battery terminals, give them a clean with a wire brush and then reconnect and smear with Vaseline to create a barrier from the elements.

Vaseline is a very useful substance in situations where something is stuck fast. For example, if a ring is stuck on a finger or bracelet not budging from a wrist, add some Vaseline to create a more slick and slippery surface.

As an alternative to masking up window frames, for those of us that can’t paint with great precision, rub Vaseline around the pane. Any paint flecks that land on the Vaseline can be easily removed.

Vaseline on the elbows is a tried and tested method to keep a troublesome dry spot baby soft.

Vaseline cures athlete’s foot by suffocating the fungus. It is an occlusive moisturizer meaning that it reduces water loss from the skin and forms a hydrophobic barrier so there is not so much sweat for fungus to thrive on.

After you finish using nail polish, rub some Vaseline around the edge of the thread. This will make it far easier to open up the next time you need to use it. This applies to all jars and things with screw lids!

Dab Vaseline onto leather shoes or even handbags and gently rub in for a quick shine.

When petroleum jelly was first discovered, it was used by miners on their cuts, bruises and grazes to protect them from infection and aid faster healing. There isn’t any antiseptic in Vaseline, but it will act as a barrier against dirt and germs reaching very minor injuries.

Stiff lock or creaky door hinge driving you crazy and can’t find the WD-40? Then use some Vaseline instead!

Have you ever had to deal with chewing gum in your kids hair? Rub Vaseline on the gum and around the hair to work it out.

Due to its emollient and lubricating properties, Vaseline makes for an ideal lubricant for athletes, helping to prevent skin irritation that may result from rubbing during sport or physical activity.

Massage into dry patches on your scalp to reduce itching and irritation.

Apply Vaseline to the back of chapped hands to protect against the cold and wind.

Repair minor scratches and water marks on wooden surfaces by coating liberally with Vaseline and leave for about 24 hours. Then work it into the wood and rub away any excess.

Car or van doors that aren’t used very often or are subject to freezing conditions can be prone to getting stuck. Rub Vaseline around the rubber seal to help prevent sticking. You can also do this with fridge or freezer seals.

There’s no need to invest in expensive leather restoring products. Vaseline gets the job done equally as well. Apply a coating of petroleum jelly to the leather, massage in, removing any excess and you’re good to go!

\Add Vaseline to the edges of dripped candle wax, allow it to sink in for a moment or two and then wipe away with a cloth.  I think this one may be my favorite new use for Vaseline.

I hope some of these uses for Vaseline may be new and useful for you.  Try some and let me know how they work out for you.  God bless you.

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