Vaseline
Chantel Brink
Chantel Brink
March 8, 2024 ·  4 min read

30+ Clever Uses for Vaseline We Never Thought Of

Innovative, versatile, and readily available, Vaseline isn’t just a staple in your medicine cabinet—it’s a multitasking marvel for household use. With its thick, petroleum-based formula, Vaseline (or petroleum jelly) proves to be a cost-effective solution for an array of everyday needs. From skincare saviors to household helpers, this humble product offers a myriad of practical applications that can save you time, money, and hassle. In the following list, discover 35 ingenious ways to incorporate Vaseline into your daily routine, elevating its status from a simple moisturizer to an essential household tool.

1. Moisturize Dry Skin:

Person Touching Hand
Image Credit: Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas Pexels

Rub Vaseline onto elbows, knees, and heels to hydrate and soften dry skin, especially during winter months.

2. Lip Balm:

Portrait of a Woman Applying Vaseline
Image Credit: Karolina Grabowska Pexels

Apply a thin layer of this marvel to your lips to lock in moisture and prevent chapping.

3. Makeup Remover:

Androgynous ethnic woman removing dark body art on face
Image Credit: Kamaji Ogino Pexels

Use it to gently remove stubborn eye makeup without irritating the delicate skin around the eyes.

4. Eyebrow Styling:

Eyebrow Styling with Vaseline
Image Credit: Shiny Diamond Pexels

Smooth a small amount of Vaseline onto eyebrows to tame unruly hairs and add shine for a groomed look.

5. Protect Minor Cuts:

Crop unrecognizable mother with kid choosing adhesive plaster on floor
Image Credit: Ksenia Chernaya Pexels

Apply Vaseline to minor cuts and scrapes to create a protective barrier against dirt and bacteria.

6. Soothe Diaper Rash:

Soothe Diaper Rash with Vaseline
Image Credit: Emma Bauso Pexels

Help soothe diaper rash by applying a thin layer of it to the affected area after cleaning.

7. Prevent Hair Dye Stains:

Woman Having Her Hair Done by the Hairdresser
Image Credit: Maria Geller Pexels

Apply Vaseline along your hairline before dyeing hair to prevent dye from staining your skin.

8. Shoe Polish Alternative:

A Person Polishing a Shoe with Vaseline
Image Credit: SHVETS production Pexels

Rub some onto leather shoes to shine and condition them, providing a quick polish alternative.

9. Fix Squeaky Hinges:

Shabby blue wooden door with metal hinge
Image Credit: Monstera Production Pexels

Apply a small amount of Vaseline to squeaky door hinges to lubricate and silence them.

10. Lubricate Zippers:

Blue Denim Pants
Image Credit: Pixabay Pexels

Ease stubborn zippers by applying a dab of this along the teeth for smoother operation.

11. Pet Paw Protection:

Shallow Focus Photography of White Dog's Paws
Image Credit: Engin Akyurt Pexels

Protect your pet’s paws from harsh conditions by applying Vaseline to their pads before walks.

12. Prevent Rust:

Coat metal surfaces prone to rust with Vaseline to create a protective barrier against moisture.
Image Credit: Pixabay Pexels

Coat metal surfaces prone to rust with Vaseline to create a protective barrier against moisture.

13. DIY Candle Holder:

Orange Candle
Image Credit: Pixabay Pexels

Smear a small amount of it around the rim of a candle holder to catch drips and prevent wax from sticking.

Read More: 24 Everyday Objects With ‘Secret’ Uses You Don’t Know About

14. Nail Care:

Massage Vaseline into cuticles to soften them and promote healthy nail growth.
Image Credit: João Jesus Pexels

Massage Vaseline into cuticles to soften them and promote healthy nail growth.

15. Remove Gum:

A Woman in Red and Pink Tank Top Blowing Bubble Gum
Image Credit: RDNE Stock project Pexels

Unstick gum from hair or surfaces by applying it to the affected area, making removal easier.

16. Shine Leather Goods:

Adult Red Retriever Lying on Armchairs
Image Credit: Steph Munden Pexels

Polish leather belts, bags, or jackets by buffing them with a small amount of Vaseline.

17. Enhance Fragrance:

Closeup of a young woman applying perfume
Image Credit: Kaboompics .com Pexels

Dab Vaseline onto pulse points before applying perfume to make the scent last longer.

18. Cracked Heel Repair:

Treat cracked heels by applying Vaseline before bed and covering them with socks for deep moisturization.
Image Credit: Polina Tankilevitch Pexels

Treat cracked heels by applying Vaseline before bed and covering them with socks for deep moisturization.

19. Eyelash Growth:

Swipe a small amount of this ingenious product onto clean lashes to condition and promote healthy growth.
Image Credit: Dominika Gregušová Pexels

Swipe a small amount of this ingenious product onto clean lashes to condition and promote healthy growth.

22. Remove Water Rings:

Person Holding White Mug
Image Credit: Lisa Fotios Pexels

Gently rub Vaseline onto wooden furniture to lift water rings and restore the finish.

21. DIY Lip Scrub:

Woman in White Robe Applying Lip Scrub
Image Credit: Polina Kovaleva Pexels

Mix it with sugar to create a gentle lip scrub for exfoliation and softness.

22. Jewelry Lubricant:

Apply Vaseline to stiff or stuck jewelry clasps to help them open and close smoothly.
Image Credit: Antony Trivet Pexels

Apply Vaseline to stiff or stuck jewelry clasps to help them open and close smoothly.

23. Prevent Paint Sticking:

Person Holding Paintbrush
Image Credit: Pixabay Pexels

Apply a thin layer of it to areas you want to keep paint-free when painting trim or walls.

24. Control Hair Frizz:

Smooth a tiny amount of Vaseline onto frizzy strands to tame flyaways and add shine.
Image Credit: Moose Photos Pexels

Smooth a tiny amount of Vaseline onto frizzy strands to tame flyaways and add shine.

25. Homemade Exfoliator:

Woman while Exfoliating
Image Credit: BOOM 💥 Pexels

Mix Vaseline with sea salt or sugar to create a DIY body scrub for smoother, softer skin.

26. Protect Wooden Handles:

Axe placed on firewoods in forest
Image Credit: Karolina Grabowska Pexels

Coat wooden tool handles with some to prevent drying out and cracking.

27. Scuff Mark Remover:

Buff away scuff marks on shoes or floors by rubbing them with a cloth dabbed in Vaseline.
Image Credit: FWStudio Pexels

Buff away scuff marks on shoes or floors by rubbing them with a cloth dabbed in Vaseline.

28. Revive Leather Shoes:

Standing on the Floor Covered with Cardboard
Image Credit: Nina zeynep güler 🦕 zz Pexels

Rub Vaseline onto leather shoes to soften and restore their shine, especially in dry weather.

29. Skin Barrier Cream:

Apply Vaseline to areas prone to irritation before activities like gardening or dishwashing to protect the skin.
Image Credit: Sora Shimazaki Pexels

Apply it to areas prone to irritation before activities like gardening or dishwashing to protect the skin.

30. Unstick Stuck Rings:

Snake Ring on Finger
Image Credit: COPPERTIST WU Pexels

Ease off tight rings by applying a thin layer of Vaseline around the finger to help them slide off.

31. Lubricate Bike Chains:

Bike Lying on a Concrete Floor
Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko Pexels

Apply Vaseline to bike chains for smooth, quiet operation and to protect against rust.

32. Protect Wooden Cutting Boards:

Sliced Bread and Stainless Steel Knife on Top of Brown Wooden Chopping Board
Image Credit: Vural Yavas Pexels

Condition and protect wooden cutting boards by rubbing them with a thin layer of Vaseline.

33. Remove Makeup Stains:

Pre-treat makeup stains on clothing by dabbing them with Vaseline before laundering to help lift the pigment.
Image Credit: Kamaji Ogino Pexels

Pre-treat makeup stains on clothing by dabbing them with Vaseline before laundering to help lift the pigment.

Read More: 20 Clever Uses For Binder Clips

Sources

  1. “30+ Clever Uses for Vaseline We Never Thought Of” Baller Cap.
  2. 44 Genius Vaseline Uses for Your Beauty RoutineReal Simple.