2 posts tagged “vaseline”

Just an update on my previous Vaseline post (which I don't know where it is because I don't tag my posts properly *sigh*).

Below are but a few of the many uses people have found for the wonder ointment, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly:

1. Water Rings on Wood Furniture:

   Rub petroleum into damaged area with your fingers and let stand for a few hours or if possible overnight. In the morning remove excess jelly with a paper towel and buff with a soft cloth.

2. Super Glue Cap:

   Often after it's first use, the super glue cap ends up stuck fast to the tube and can't be used again. Put a thick coating of jelly inside the cap threads to keep it from gluing itself shut. This will work on any cap or lid that may stick.

3. To Shine Shoes:

   A thin coating of jelly on shoes, boots and purses will keep them looking great and repel water and road salt. Wipe on a thin layer and wipe off excess with a soft cloth.

4. Squeaky Doors:

   Quiet a squeaky door hinge with a coating of petroleum jelly on the hinge pin. Your door will be quiet and you don't have to worry about messy drips.
   
   

5. Keep Your Hands Clean:

   No matter what the chore, if it is messy rub on Petroleum Jelly before you begin. It will keep paint, stain, car grease, and garden dirt from embedding in your skin. It will soften your hands while protecting your skin. Just wipe off with paper towel or an old rag for clean up.

6. Hair Coloring:

   To keep hair color from staining your skin, apply Petroleum Jelly along hairline and ears before you begin.

7. Cuts and Sores:

   When Petroleum Jelly first hit the market, it's purpose was for protecting cuts and scrapes by acting as a barrier to keep out moisture and bacteria.

8. Moisturizer:

   If you have sensitive skin Petroleum Jelly can be used as an all over body moisturizer. It contains no chemicals or perfumes.
   
   

9. Car Battery Posts:

   Stop battery post corrosion by applying Petroleum Jelly on the terminals.

10. Outdoor Lights:

    A thin coating of Petroleum Jelly on light bulb threads will prevent them from sticking when they need to be replaced.

11. Nail Polish:

    Rub Petroleum Jelly on the skin around your nails before polishing. If you make a mistake it can be wiped off when your nails are dry and it softens cuticles at the same time.

12. Paint Cans:

    Petroleum Jelly forms an air tight seal when applied around the inside edge of the can.

13. Frozen Locks:

    To keep your locks from freezing, smear Petroleum Jelly on the shaft of the key and insert it into the lock. Work the key and lock 4 or 5 times to lubricate the tumblers. This is also a good remedy for keys and locks that just don't seem to work smoothly together.
    
    

14. Sticky Drawers:

    Apply petroleum Jelly along the runner on a sticky drawer to make it slide more freely.

15. Rough Feet:

    If you are like so many people, your feet are hard, calloused and dry. Apply petroleum Jelly to your feet after bathing or showering. Apply within the first three minutes of bathing before the moisture on your skin evaporates. It will make your feet softer, and act as a moisture barrier to keep your feet from drying out.

16. Garbage Can Lids:

    In the winter rubber garbage can lids can freeze to the can. A thin coat of Petroleum Jelly will keep it from sticking.

17. Chapped Lips:

    Apply as needed.

18. Makeup Remover:

    Use as you would any makeup remover. It removes makeup safely while softening your skin.

19. Diaper Rash:

    Use in place of expensive ointments and creams to prevent rash.

20. Tight Finger Rings:

    Apply to your finger and the ring will slide off.
    
    

21. Grandpa's Bald Head:

    Gives a glistening shine for those special occasions. Just apply and polish.

22. Nuts and Bolts:

    Keep nuts, bolts and screws from rusting by coating with Petroleum before using.

Source

Oh, just to add, these days I've been using Lucas' Papaw Ointment which is sorta like vaseline and I love it - carry it everywhere!

The following is a list of common uses for the ointment, however many people who use it will apply it to just about any minor irritation or skin condition. The bold ones are the ones I use most often:

• abscesses and boils ;
• bruises and burns ;
• carbuncles and chafings ;
• cuts and cysts ;
• dry and cracked skin ;
• gravel rash and heat rash ;
• insect stings and mosquito bites ;
• open wounds and pimples ;
• scalds and sunburn ;
• swelling associated with injury ;
• splinters and thorns ;
• tinea and whitlow ;
• nappy rash and cracked nipples ;
• temporary relief of the symptoms of dermatitis and eczema ;
• temporary relief of the discomfort of haemorrhoids by local application

Since the weather is pretty cold these days I've been using them on my nails too (where the skin is breaking and it does wonders!).

I think its an Australian product too, from Queensland? I dunno. Just thought I'd share it with you...

I've just got over a stinking cold with a very snotty nose. The only thing that kept me going, apart from tissues, was my trusty pot of Vaseline which I plastered all over my nose and upper lip to stop me looking like Rudolph. I am so grateful for this wonderful stuff, that it inspired me to write this opinion.

** What is it? **
Vaseline is actually a trade name for petroleum jelly, which is a by product of drilling for oil and was apparently discovered to be useful on wounds at an oil rig in Titusville, Pennsylvania, USA way back in 1859. Scientist Robert Chesebrough worked out how to extract the strange white jelly like stuff and named it Vaseline. He went on to be a very rich man.

* What does it do? **
Obviously this is the most important section of the opinion. I have used it or heard of it used for quite a few things and I will list these first. After that I have added some other uses I found whilst researching this opinion from http://www.wackyuses.com/jelly.html, but I obviously cannot vouch for these ones.

+ Chapped lips/lip gloss
The most obvious use I suppose, seeing as it advertises it on the tin. Not only is Vaseline good for chapped lips but it also acts as a cheap lip gloss? why pay more? Leave a layer on overnight for lovely soft lips in the morning. It also protects the lips from wind burn.

+ Dry and chapped skin
As I have mentioned previously, I am currently using it for my scabby nose and lip from constant blowing. The problem with this is that it doesn't look very good, particularly at important meetings at work. Never mind, its either that or look like Michael Jackson! It can also be used as a general moisturiser all over the body. Apply a thin layer at night and wake to wonderful soft skin and a sticky bed.

+ Nappy rash
It can be used to help prevent nappy rash in babies.

+ Cuts and burns
It can soothe and help minor cuts and burns to heal.

+ Lubricant
It can be used as a lubricant for certain sexual acts.

+ Scuba diving
Vaseline is often used by people with moustaches to prevent their masks form leaking when scuba diving.

+ Eyelash dying
Whenever I have my eyelashes dyed, the beautician uses Vaseline to stop the dye running below my eyes. It works a treat and is easily removed once finished.

+ Eyebrows/hair
Use a VERY small amount to tame wayward eyebrows or hair. Too much and you will look like a grease ball.

+ Makeup remover
It can also be used as an efficient and cheap makeup remover. Vaseline petroleum jelly takes off mascara, eye-liner, lipstick, rouge, and powders.

+ Leather
Rub it on leather goods to stop them cracking. It provides it with nutrients and a waterproof coating.

+ Lure trout
Coat small pieces of sponge with Vaseline petroleum jelly to simulate fish egg bait.

+ Prevent car battery corrosion
Smear Vaseline petroleum jelly on clean car battery terminals.

+ Repair stains, rings, and minor scratches in wood furniture
Cover each scratch with a liberal coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly, let sit for 24 hours, rub into wood, wipe away excess, and polish as usual.

+ Remove chewing gum from hair
Apply Vaseline petroleum jelly and work into the hair until the gum slides off.

+ Lubricate roller skate and skateboard wheels
Smear Vaseline petroleum jelly around the cylinders on the wheels so they roll faster.

+ Remove a ring stuck on a finger
Coat finger with Vaseline petroleum jelly and slide the ring off.

+ Prevent rust on outdoor machinery
Apply a generous coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly.

+ Avoid splattered paint on windows, metal work, and floors
Before painting a room, dip a cotton bud in Vaseline petroleum jelly and run it around the edges of the glass; coat door hinges, doorknobs, lock latches; and spread a thin coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly along a linoleum or tile floor (obviously not carpet) where it meets the wall. Paint smears will wipe off with a cloth.

+ Prevent the cap from sticking shut on nail polish bottles
Put a thin coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly around the rim of the bottle.

+ Keep shower curtains sliding easily
Apply a thin coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly to the curtain rod.

+ Prevent outdoor light bulbs from sticking in fixtures
To make removal easy, rub a thin coat of Vaseline petroleum jelly on the threads before inserting the bulbs.

+ Remove lipstick stains from linen napkins
Apply Vaseline petroleum jelly before washing.

+ Prevent hair-coloring from dying your skin
Rub Vaseline petroleum jelly along hairline before colouring your hair.

+ Stop refrigerator racks from sticking
Coat the edges of the racks with Vaseline petroleum jelly so the racks glide easily.

+ Discourage candle wax from sticking to candle holders
Coat the insides of candle holders with Vaseline petroleum jelly so wax slides out.

+ Keep shampoo from getting in a baby's eyes
Rub a line of Vaseline petroleum jelly above the eyebrows so shampoo runs off to the side.

** Warning **
I came across two warnings on the internet regarding Vaseline. Do not use it with condoms as it reacts with the latex or rubber and degenerates. Instead use KY Jelly with condoms. Also, there was a slight increase of yeast infections in babies who had Vaseline used on them to prevent nappy rash.

In the USA Vaseline still comes under the original inventor's name as it is trademarked to Chesebrough-Ponds.

** Summary **
This is a must have in any household. If you know of anyone who doesn't have a jar, give them one for Christmas ? you never know when it will be useful. It is such a bargain price and has so many uses, I think it deserves the title of a wonder product. Apparently Mr Chesebrough used to eat Vaseline and he lived to the ripe old age of 96. I'm not sure I take this as a recommendation though. Just off to smear some more on my very red nose.

** Joke **
Finally, I thought I?d finish a bit of a dull opinion with a Vaseline joke taken from http://www.goofyfun.com/1/vaseline.htm

Woman answers the door to a market researcher. "Good morning madam, I'm doing some research for Vaseline. Do you use it at all in your household?"
"Oh yes, all the time. It's very good for cuts, grazes and burns."
"Do y ou use it for anything else?"
"Ahem.. err.. well.. during.. ahem.. sex."
?Well madam, I am astonished with your honesty. Out of all the people who have completed our research questionnaire, you are first to admit using it for sex. Would you mind explaining for me, how you use it during sex??
"Oh, why of course. It is quite simple really, the first thing we do is lock the door. Then we just smear it all over the bedroom doorknob, this way the kids can't get in."

Thanks Offy!