Petroleum jelly uses

[joyce]

Around the House

Smoother closing shower curtains

Stop the water from squirting out onto the bathroom floor. Get that shower curtain into place quickly. Lubricate the curtain rod with petroleum jelly and you'll whip that curtain across the shower in no time.


Take out lipstick stains

You set the table at that lovely dinner party with your favorite cloth napkins, but your girlfriends left their mark all over them. Now dotted with lipstick stains, those napkins may be headed for the trash. But try this first. Before you wash them, blot petroleum jelly on the stain. Launder as usual and hopefully you will kiss the stains good-bye.


Eject wax from candlesticks

The long red tapers you used at last night's candlelit dinner were a beautiful sight until you saw the candle wax drippings left in the candleholders. Next time apply petroleum jelly to the insides of the holders before you put the candles in. The wax will pop out for easy cleaning.


Remove chewing gum from wood

Did you discover bubble gum stuck under the dining room table or behind the headboard of Junior's bed? Trouble yourself about it no further. Squeeze some petroleum jelly on the offending wad, rub it in until the gum starts to disintegrate, then remove.


Make vacuum parts fit together smoothly

It's nice that your vacuum cleaner comes with so many accessories and extensions. But it's frustrating when the parts get stuck together and you have to yank them apart. Apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the rims of the tubes and the parts will easily slide together and apart.


Shine patent-leather shoes

You've got a great pair of patent-leather shoes and a dynamite bag to match. The luster stays longer if you polish the items with petroleum jelly.


Restore leather jackets

You don't need fancy leather moisturizer to take care of your favorite leather jacket. Petroleum jelly does the job just as well. Apply, rub it in, wipe off the excess, and you're ready to go.


Keep ants away from pet food bowls

Poor Fido's food bowl has been invaded by ants. Since she prefers her food without them, help her out with this idea. Ring her food bowl with petroleum jelly. The ants will no longer be tempted by the kibble if they have to cross that mountain of petroleum jelly.


Grease a baseball mitt

Got a new baseball mitt, but it's as stiff as a dugout bench? Soften it up with petroleum jelly. Apply liberal amounts. Work it into the glove, then tie it up with a baseball inside. Do this in the winter, and by the spring you'll be ready to take the field.


Keep a bottle lid from sticking

If you're having a hard time unscrewing that bottle of glue or nail polish, remember this tip for when you finally do get it open. Rub a little petroleum jelly along the rim of the bottle. Next time, the top won't stick.


Soothe sore pet paws

Sometimes your cat's or dog's paw pads can get cracked and dry. Give a little tender loving care to your best friend. Squirt a little petroleum jelly on the pads to stop pain. They'll love you for it.



For the Do-It-Yourselfer

Mask doorknobs when painting

You're about to undertake painting the family room. But do you really want to fiddle with removing all the metal fixtures, including doorknobs? Petroleum jelly rubbed on the metal will prevent paint from sticking. When you're done painting, just wipe off the jelly and the unwanted paint is gone.


Stop battery terminal corrosion

It's no coincidence that your car battery always dies on the coldest winter day. Low temperatures increase electrical resistance and thicken engine oil, making the battery work harder. Corrosion on the battery terminals also increases resistance and might just be the last straw that makes the battery give up. Before winter starts, disconnect the terminals and clean them with a wire brush. Reconnect, then smear with petroleum jelly. The jelly will prevent corrosion and help keep the battery cranking all winter long.


Protect stored chrome

If you're getting ready to store the kids' bikes for the winter, or stow that stroller until your next baby comes along, stop a moment before you stash. Take some petroleum jelly and apply it to the chrome parts of the equipment. When it's time to take the items out of storage, they'll be rust-free. The same method works for machinery stored in your garage


Keep an outdoor lightbulb from sticking

Have you ever unscrewed a lightbulb and found yourself holding the glass while the metal base remains in the socket? It won't happen again if you remember to apply petroleum jelly to the base of the bulb before screwing it into the fixture. This is an especially good idea for lightbulbs used outdoors.


Seal a plumber's plunger

Before you reach for that plunger to unclog the bathroom toilet, find some petroleum jelly. Apply it along the rim of the plunger and it will help create a tighter seal. Whoosh, clog's gone.


Lubricate cabinets and windows

Can't stand to hear your medicine cabinet door creak along its runners? Or how about that window that you have to force open every time you want a breeze in the house? With a small paintbrush, apply petroleum jelly to the window sash channel and cabinet door runners. Let the sliding begin.


Stop squeaking door hinges

It's so annoying when a squeaky door makes an ill-timed noise when you're trying to keep quiet. Put petroleum jelly on the hinge pins of the door. No more squeaks.


Remove watermarks on wood

Your most recent party left lots of watermark rings on your wood furniture. To make them disappear, apply petroleum jelly and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe the watermark away with the jelly.


Keep squirrels away from bird feeder

Feed the birds, not the squirrels. Keep the varmints off the pole of your bird feeder by greasing it with petroleum jelly. Squirrels slide right off, leaving the birds to eat in peace.


For Personal Grooming

Moisturize your lips and more

If you don't want to pay a lot for expensive lip balm, makeup remover, or even facial moisturizer, then your answer is a tube of petroleum jelly. It can soothe lips, take off foundation, eye shadow, mascara, and more. It will even act as a moisturizer on your face.


Make emergency makeup

Oh no! You've run out of your favorite shade of eye shadow. What do you do now? It's easy -- make your own. Add a bit of food coloring to petroleum jelly and apply as usual. This is a quick way to make stopgap blush, lipstick, or eye shadow.


Lengthen the life of perfume

You've picked out a great scent to wear on your night out, but it's got to last. Worry not. Dab a bit of petroleum jelly on your pulse points. Then spray on the perfume. Now you can dance the night away and not worry about your perfume turning in early.


Remove a stuck ring

Is your wedding ring stuck? Trying to get it off can take a lot of tug and pull. Apply some petroleum jelly and it will glide right off.


Soften chapped hands

If you're constantly applying hand lotion to your tired, chapped hands, but then taking it off again so you can get more work done, try this tip. Apply a liberal amount of petroleum jelly to your hands just before you go to bed. By morning, they'll be soft and smooth.


No more messy manicures

During home manicures, it's hard to keep the nail polish from running over on your cuticles. Petroleum jelly can help your manicures look more professional. Dab some along the base of your nails and the sides. If polish seeps off the nail during the manicure, all you do is wipe off the petroleum jelly and the sloppy nail polish is gone.


Smooth wild eyebrow hairs

If you have runaway eyebrows -- the ones where the hairs won't lie flat but curl up instead, control the wildness with some petroleum jelly. Rub a dab into your brows. They'll calm down and behave.


Stop hair dye runs

There's nothing more embarrassing than a home hair color job gone awry. Imagine finishing applying that new auburn shade to your tresses when you notice that you've dyed your hairline and part of your forehead too. Next time, run a bit of petroleum jelly across your hairline. If dye seeps off your hair, the petroleum jelly will catch it.


Heal windburned skin

You've just had a glorious hike through the countryside in autumn. And as much as you enjoyed the changing colors of the season, the hike has left you with an unpleasant souvenir: windburn. Grab a jar of petroleum jelly and apply it liberally to your face or wherever you've been chapped. The jelly helps relieve the pain.


Help prevent diaper rash

It's so heartbreaking to hear a baby experiencing the pain of diaper rash. Help is just a few moments away. Petroleum jelly sets up a protective coat on the skin so the rash can heal. No more pain.


No more shampoo tears

Thinking of buying special no-tears shampoo for your child? Forget about it. If you have some petroleum jelly, you have the solution. Rub a fair amount into your baby's eyebrows. It acts as a protective shield against shampoo running down into his eyes.

[califgirl]

Thanks Joyce, there was a couple I didn't know about.

[shyangel]

Hey that's some cool info! thanks

[SpyderLady]

Great tips!

I haven't been able to afford wrinkle cream for a while and I use this now. It is messy if you put too much on so use it sparingly if ya don't want it on your pillow case.
I go barefoot all summer or with flipflops and this is great for rough dry feet too.

[califgirl]

Spyde, it works on wrinkles?

[SpyderLady]

well, it doesn't make them go away, just softens them so they aren't so obvious.

[califgirl]

Really!!!!!!! Interesting. I will give it a try.

[determined]

for those of you with children at home a little put on the outside of the bedroom doorknob will keep them from comming in at undesirable times ;D

[cenaub4]

If you keep chickens this is a good, quick treatment to keep mites from disfiguring their feet. The product smothers the mites and good to go. Application if often though, to keep them down. I have 2nd and 3rd hand chickens, their feet are a disgrace!

I've used the pet food dish thing for years now. You do have to reapply regularly, as the dust and stuff builds up in the ring of vaso, allowing ants free access. Leading to grumpy cats.

[SpyderLady]

That means you have to catch all those chickens to treat their feet. Sheeesh, I didn't know it was such a problem with their feet. But I have never been around many chickens except a fried chicken leg. LOL

[cenaub4]

Spidie, they put themselves to bed as soon as sun goes down. They crowd into the SAME place, and hunker down there. You just make sure you KNOW who you want, and grab them, only them, or not, and whale/treat/do unto others as you choose.

Chickens from good homes have no issues. Those from poorly sanitized, maintained, or GROUP living often cause the biggest problems. The Vaso treatment can mow down reproduction, as most small issues are suffocated by the Vaso.

I am SO glad you are still here, being the blessing and friend that you have always been. Spidie, if they don't say it often, you HAVE TO know you are loved, above, beyond, from Heaven and back, you keep us steady.

Thank you So Much for being YOU!
Sounds so fake from someone here so little.
You make it feel like home when I walk in, every six months or so.
Bless you!

[SpyderLady]

Awww that is sooo sweet of you. Thank you. You know the door is always open and we hope you come visit when you can.

[stlblue]

Didn't see one of the most important use of Vasoline. Always take a large jar on the honeymoon just in case.

[SpyderLady]

[simplylindylu]

Think I need to print that off and tack to my frig, lots of good uses..... the honeymoon thing, I think I'm well beyond thou lol