I’ve decided in an attempt to simplify, I need to start getting more than one use out of basic household staples. There’s nothing worse than digging through over-full cupboards to find a tube/container/bottle of something that only does one measly little thing. It’s just not worth storing. In fact, sometimes, I feel like I’ve been duped into thinking I need more than just the basics—well, not anymore, Mavis is saying no. Ha. I am cleaning house, and keeping just the basics.
Whether you use petroleum or petroleum free jelly there are about a million different ways to use it.
Here are my top 10:
- Use on dry feet, hands, noses, and elbows.
- Use as mascara, for a more natural look {some people swear it makes lashes grow faster too}.
- Lather the pole that leads to your bird-feeders with petroleum jelly to deter squirrels.
- Use for a squeaky door hinge. Just dab a bit on the hinge and open and shut the door to work the petroleum jelly into the problem area.
- After carving pumpkins, rub petroleum jelly on the exposed edges of your jack-o-lanterns. It really slows down the deterioration process. Like a real-life force field.
- Apply a layer of petroleum jelly around windows, floors {not carpet obviously}, door hinges, etc. before painting. Should you splatter while painting, it will wipe up easily.
- Remove gum from wood. This is for all of the teachers out there: if you find your sweet, innocent students have stuck gum under the desks, you can have them remove it quickly with petroleum jelly.
- Dab some petroleum jelly along the shower curtain rod, the curtain will open and close much more smoothly.
- Do your hands swell on hot days? You can remove stuck rings by applying petroleum jelly liberally to your fingers.
- Prevent diaper rash. Instead of buying expensive ointments, coat Bubba’s bottom with a bit of petroleum jelly.
How do YOU use petroleum or non petroleum jelly?
~Mavis
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mildred lane says
U covered a lot of my uses already. I use for lip gloss and no more dry lips. I do use on dry feet etc. thanks.
Eddie says
Hi Mavis, I use a little non petroleum jelly to put on my humming bird feeder it helps keep the wasp’s off the feeder
Mavis Butterfield says
Ohhh I like that idea!
Anke Pietsch says
Put petroleum jelly on the combs and wattles of your chickens when it’s really cold in the winter to prevent frostbite.
I did that a few times last winter, it worked well. Anke
kat says
Use a tiny dab on light bulbs threads (especially the small chandelier-type). The lights tend to get hot and warp(?) the threads, sometimes breaking the glass part of the bulb from the threads. With the petroleum jelly, now I never break a bulb.
Roxie Moreland says
You can also use petroleum jelly to coat the posts on your battery in your car to keep corrosion from building up. This helps make sure the contact is good.
gc says
I have very dry sensitive skin. It was recommended that I use just a dab of petroleum jelly on my face, instead of moisturizer. She said all the products find different ways to water it down and then add ingredients to customize their product. Start with one ingredient, and if I have a reaction I’d know the cause…then try brands with only a few ingredients and keep track of any problems. The redness went away, I have never gone back to traditional beauty cream. Just a tiny dab, rub in your finger tips and apply, too much is greasy and my hair sticks.
It will also keep scabs soft so they don’t itch. Dr recomended it to cover stitches on my sons eyelid, where he did not want us using an antibiotic ointment.
Charity says
my family has ALWAYS used a dab of pet jelly under our body lotion. every night. I am 28 and the only one of my friends without a single wrinkle. i’m sure they’re coming, but thus far i’ve kept em at bay.
Chris M says
Back in the day … my parents wouldn’t allow me to wear make-up until high school. I used vaseline as mascara my entire 8th grade year!
Mavis says
Ha! That’s awesome. I’ve never tried it but I know people who swear by it.
Karen says
My mother used to put a thin layer on our faces when we walked to school in the winter(cheeks) to help stop wind burn or frost bite (northern Canada)