- Household uses for Vaseline
- Vaseline for hair
- Vaseline for skin
- Miscellaneous beauty uses for Vaseline
- Health Benefits of Vaseline
Vaseline's something most of us have hiding at the bottom of our handbags. It's a cheap and effective balm that's been used for decades to cure dry lips, but what most people don't know is that it has a whole host of other uses too.
Today we're sharing the ultimate list of vaseline uses to show you how to make the most of this cheap beauty staple.
Ready? Grab your pot and let's get started!
Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in June 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in December 2018.
Household uses for vaseline
1. Distress your furniture
You can find some real bargains at car boot sales or second hand shops, but often furniture will need a bit of TLC, or even a complete facelift.
With Vaseline it's easy! You can create a distressed look using it alongside different colours of paint. Find out how at SalvagedInspirations.
2. Unstick drawers
Is that stuck drawer driving you crazy? Use Vaseline along the sides to prevent it from getting caught and it'll slide more smoothly than ever.
3. Deter squirrels
Protect your bird feeder! If a local squirrel has been stealing all your bird feed, use Vaseline to bamboozle him.
It won't harm the little critters, but they won't be able to climb up the pole if you apply a good amount of lubrication.
4. Loosen lightbulbs
Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the base of your lightbulb before you screw it into place. In the future when it comes to changing the lightbulb, you shouldn't have any problems with removing it.
5. Shine shoes
Going somewhere you need to impress and you can't find any shoe polish? Head to the bathroom and grab a tiny bit of Vaseline to create a quick shine, then head out the door with a smile on your face.
6. Fix a squeaky door
Struggling to sneak into the kitchen for a midnight feast with a noisy door? Don't let it ruin your fun - grab a bit of Vaseline to rub on both sides of the door hinge for soundless snacking.
7. Remove CD scratches
Still enjoy playing CDs?
If your CD or DVD has visible scratches then it probably won't play smoothly. Did you know that you can remove them with Vaseline?
Rub Vaseline onto the back of the disk in circular motions, then wipe clean with a cloth to remove grease - simple!
8. Prevent stuck nail polish tops
Help prevent nail polish bottle caps from getting stuck by rubbing some around the neck. This will prevent a build-up of nail polish so it will remain easy to open.
9. Remove stuck rings
Don't panic if you've got a ring stuck on your finger! Grease it up with Vaseline and it should slide off easily.
10. Smoother shower curtains
Is your shower curtain getting stuck and annoying you in the morning? Make it slide more easily by lubricating the rod with some Vaseline.
11. Remove gum
Rub Vaseline into any chewing or bubble gum stuck under a table, continuing until the gum starts to break down. You may want to use rubber gloves for this one!
12. Fix a stuck zip
Don't get caught with your flies undone - rub a little bit of Vaseline up and down both sides of the stuck zip to help un-stick it.
Vaseline for hair
13. Vaseline hair serum
Serums are designed to smoothen and add shine to hair, but you needn't invest in an expensive product.
Put a REALLY TINY amount of Vaseline and rub it into your hands and then apply it to your hair. The effect will vary depending on your hair type, so start small. Take care not to use too much, you don't want greasy hair!
14. Hair gel
Vaseline can be great for short hair too! If you've left your hair gel at home but have Vaseline to hand, you can use it to mould your hair into place.
15. Hair mask
If your hair is dry and damaged, it'll be crying out for some moisture. You can apply Vaseline from roots to tips and leave for 20 minutes under a shower cap to give it some love.
16. Grow your hair with Vaseline
Let's face it, every wants to know how to get long hair. Could the secret ingredient be Vaseline?
When applied to the scalp, it is thought to increase hair growth and also prevent hair loss. This one could be worth a go!
Vaseline for skin
17. Moisturiser
Could Vaseline Petroleum Jelly be proof that you don't need to spend a fortune when it comes to getting gorgeous skin?
Many claim that apply Vaseline after your nighttime moisturiser and sleeping with it on leaves you with amazingly soft, clear skin. We'll definitely be giving this one a go!
18. Vaseline for cold sores
Whilst Vaseline, sadly, won't be able to provide a miracle cure for cold sores, it will be able to ease any pain related to cracking.
19. Eczema
As with dry skin and cold sores, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly can also alleviate the symptoms associated with Eczema by providing and locking in moisture.
20. Treat acne
Unlike many other beauty products, which are known to clog the pores, either causing acne or making it worse, Vaseline does not, so you can use it as much as you'd like! It's great for spot-prone skin.
21. Rub Vaseline across bridge of nose
This is a rather weird one, but a remedy you may want to try nonetheless.
Many swear by rubbing Vaseline across the bridge of their nose when they develop a cold. For babies, when applied just underneath the nose, it can help prevent redness and irritation too.
Miscellaneous beauty uses for Vaseline
22. Lip scrub
We've all heard of using Vaseline as a lip balm, but did you know you can add sugar to it to create a scrub for treating dry, cracked lips? Massage onto lips to provide gentle exfoliation and leave them silky smooth.
23. Use Vaseline to remove old eyelashes
It's important to remove your falsies correctly to prevent damage to your real ones.
Use a cotton bud to dip into your Vaseline pot and then swab onto the false eyelashes. Wait for the glue to soften, then use warm water to rinse it off.
24. Eye shadow
If you haven't got any exciting makeup and you're heading off on big night out, turn to Vaseline to help. By applying underneath powders, you can create a quick, shiny effect for that fun night out on the town.
25. Prevent lipstick stains
Wearing a fetching, but bright shade of lipstick today? Rub some trusty Vaseline onto your teeth to help prevent your lipstick from sticking to them. Now you can pose for photos without a care in the world.
26. Tame eyebrows
Want to know the secret to amazing eyebrows?
If you've got rogue brows, use Vaseline to get them behaving. Just slick a tiny bit onto your brows to achieve a tidy look. Phew.
27. Moustache wax
If you're bored of your tache and want to mix it up a bit, use a teeny bit of Vaseline to coax those unruly hairs into a style.
Want more moustache and beard tips? Check out our article on how to grow facial hair fast.
28. Keep hair dye off skin
If you're colouring your hair at home, use Vaseline around your hairline, ears and neck to act as a barrier and prevent any stains.
29. How to thicken eyelashes with Vaseline
According to several different websites, applying Vaseline to your lashes before going to bed might help to stimulate hair and lash growth. Just remember to wash it off in the morning.
30. Expert manicure
Apply Vaseline to the skin around your nails to keep nail polish away. You'll get the perfect manicure without having to clean up!
31. Soft feet treatment
Want to know how to get soft feet for good? Vaseline can help get rid of hard skin.
Rub a coat onto your feet at night, stick a pair of socks on and you'll wake up to lovely supple feet. It's the perfect treatment to get your feet in order for summer time.
32. Cuticle care
Before you even start considering a manicure at home, it's a good idea to give your cuticles some TLC, especially if you want to get long nails.
Massage Vaseline into your fingernails and nail-bed every night to help soften your cuticles. You'll help prevent dryness and heal cracked skin.
33. Prevent chafing
Are you a fan of running? If it's too hot to wear leggings or long sleeves and you're worried your skin will chafe, apply Vaseline.
You can use Vaseline on your feet, toes and anywhere else you need it to help prevent irritation.
34. Easy earring insertion
If you're not a regular earrings wearer then the first time might be a little tricky. Rub a small dollop of Vaseline over your ears to help guide the earrings in.
35. Vaseline makeup remover
Believe it or not, Vaseline could even help you to get rid of makeup.
Apply a small amount of Vaseline to your eyelid, then using a cotton pad ,wipe off the Vaseline and your make-up. What a fab beauty hack.
36. DIY skin highlighter
Now onto a makeup hack. You can get that dewy, 'illuminated' look by putting a tiny dab of Vaseline onto your brow bones and cheekbones.
37. Whiten teeth with Vaseline
Have you ever heard of using baking soda for beauty? Teamed with Vaseline, it can be used as a teeth-whitening remedy.
Add 2 tsp baking soda to Vaseline petroleum jelly and apply to dry teeth using a toothbrush. Leave for a minute, then rinse clean. Repeat a few times a week for best results.
Health benefits of Vaseline
Now onto some even more remarkable uses for Vaseline. Discover how it can help your health below...
38. Vaseline for burns
Believe it or not, the original uses for Vaseline were all to do with health. It was thought to be particularly helpful for burns, although now there are doubts as to whether this method could actually cause more harm than good.
Applying Vaseline petroleum jelly to a fresh burn can inhibit the access of air to the wound, making it more painful and preventing it from healing. However, once a burn has started to heal, Vaseline can prevent the skin from becoming excessively dry and also reduce pain.
Use it wisely!
39. Scabs
Speaking of healing wounds, Vaseline can be great when used on scabs. Scabs can get hard and are prone to flaking which slows down the healing process - a small blob of Vaseline can help prevent this.
40. Stitches
Had to get stitched up? Stitches can be irritating, so it's best to look after your wound correctly so it can heal as fast as possible.
It's likely your doctor will have given you instructions on how to care for your wound. This will usually include covering the clean wound with a thin layer of ointment - i.e Vaseline - before covering with a bandage.
41. Cure constipation
Whilst Vaseline won't cure your constipation, it can help to alleviate the symptoms associated with it.
For babies and young children, applying a small amount of vaseline around the anus can prevent fissures. Similarly, if you need to take their temperature, Vaseline can help ease in a thermometer.
42. Breastfeeding
Struggling to breastfeed? You're not alone!
If your battle to feed naturally is leaving you with sore, cracked nipples, apply Vaseline to help soothe them. Just be sure to wipe it all off before you let your baby suckle.
43. Ear mites
Whilst it's not recommended to use Vaseline on ticks, it can be used for pet's ear mites. Smother the inside of their ear in Vaseline, and the thick ointment will suffocate the infestation. As a bonus, the Vaseline will also soothe any redness.
44. Canker sore
Canker sores can be caused by many things, some as simple as eating a spicy curry. Most of the time, they heal by themselves, however this can be an uncomfortable process.
Applying a thin layer of Vaseline petroleum jelly to the sore will prevent it from being aggravated by rubbing against teeth.
45. Soothe cradle cap with Vaseline
Rough, scaly patches on a baby's head go by the name of cradle cap. Whilst it may look worrying, it's actually very common, so there's no need to worry.
Treating it is simple. Warm a small amount of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline in your hands and gently apply to your baby's scalp. Leave overnight to see a drastic improvement in the morning.
46. Nappy rash
Your baby's skin is dry and sensitive. Exposed to the air, fabrics and soaps, it can easily become irritated.
Nappy rash is caused by tight nappies or prolonged exposure to faeces and urine.
Babies cry often enough without the addition of nappy rash pain! Soothe your little one's red bottom by applying some Vaseline to the area once clean.
That's a wrap! What's your favourite way to use Vaseline? Let us know in the comments below.
You can also use vaseline to remove smaller scratches from car dashboards and plastic trim, the jelly fills in scratch reducing its appearance!!!
Thanks Expert Nick for your excellent car tip!
Rubbing Vaseline on the thread works with any screw top jar or tub, not just nail varnish!
Great tip, thanks Susan!
Rubbing Vaseline liberally on a leaky car sunroof works great! It softens the rubber seal, consequently stops the leak.
Great tip Mumtaz, thanks :)
My grandmother - who lived to 97 swore by vaseline for almost every thing !! I'm coming round to that view myself Margarita
Particularly with older cars, remove the battery connections, smear the battery terminals, and inside the connectors, with vaseline and reassemble. The vaseline prevents corrosion degrading the contact between the two, allowing better power transmission to the starter, and also waterproofing the connection against possible later water contamination.
Thanks John, very useful to know!
Yep, Hairspray works better!
Great tips thanks, but oh my god the Vaseline versus squirrel video was hilarious! Loved it!!
It tickled me too! Glad to hear you also liked the tips :).
Bet that Rock Squirrel's got the softest paws!
David Cameron and lots of his old school chums had another use for this wonderful prioduct
;)
Vasoline is also very good for relieving the pain of piles i find it very good
Great tip, thanks John.
If you suffer from blocked sinuses, rub a little Vaseline down either side of your nose and under your cheekbones, it should help with the congestion once it is absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to get it in your eyes though, it will sting!
What a great tip, thanks Donatello!
Vaseline also helps scratches in your glasses. Use a little dish soap, rinse with warm water and dry. Rub a small amount of Vaseline on the scratch and rub in with a soft cloth.
Hi there. Thank you for sharing such a great tip. This will definitely come in handy for me as I'm always scratching my glasses - oops! :)
The greatest tip for Vaseline is, if you are starting to go grey, which usually starts at the sideburns rub a little Vaseline on before going to bed, [ remember to cover the pillow ]by the morning the grey will have disappeared,you'll be surprised.
Hi there Haydn. I don't have sideburns myself, so will have to trust you on this unusual tip! Thanks a lot for sharing :)
can we use vaseline on car paint as polish, instead of car wax..?
Hi Marri, This isn't something we have any experience of - sorry!
Looking to see how Vaseline can help with rust on cars
Hi Harry! Vaseline isn't the best for car rust as it doesn't hold out for very long and it can actually trap Oxygen, causing the metal to rust more. Have you thought about trying a rust paint or similar? Something that will bond with the metal would be good.
I use Vaseline on the back of my heels or any spot on my feet where a new pair of shoes are rubbing and it stops them causing blisters.
Great tip, Sharon!
I recently had a problem with the seal on the door of my chest freezer, it had gone hard and wasn’t closing completely. A liberal coating of Vaseline worked wonders, softening the seal again. Just be careful leaning over the edges when getting things out of the lower part! I now refresh it with a light coat occasionally. No replacement needed and no big bills!!
That's fab!
I used Petroleum jelly on an office chair that would not stay up but I don't remember exactly how I did it. It did work. Now I need to use it on another failing office chair. Anyone have info?
To use petroleum jelly on a failing office chair, locate the pneumatic cylinder, clean it, and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the top and bottom of the cylinder. Test the chair to ensure it stays up, and reapply as needed.
Rub a little Vaseline around the preimeter of your cameral lens to give an aged effect to any black & white photos.
Nice idea! However, it's important to note that it also can cause lens flare and potentially damage the lens.
When screwing into wood (especially hardwood) dab a little Vaseline over the tip of the screw and it will drive in easier.
Good idea! This can reduce friction and prevent the screw from getting stuck or stripped.
I always keep a jar of Vaseline in my workshop to apply to screws before screwing them in to wood. It makes the screws go in so much easier!
That's a great idea!
Vaseline works to cure nail fungus. Put it on your toenails nightly and you won’t believe the fungus will eventually go away.
Thanks for sharing, Chris!
Good for hayfever put it around your nose and eyes it forms a barrier to stop the pollen! ?
Lovely idea!
You can use Vaseline on the rubber weather stripping around car door edges to prevent doors freezing shut.
That's a great idea!
I apply a thin film of vaseline (actually generic petroleum jelly) to the seal and walls of my chest freezer. When defrosting I place a washing up bowl of hot water in the empty freezer for 5 minutes and the ice just falls off.
That's a great way to prevent ice buildup. Thanks for sharing!