Beyond Petroleum Jelly: 12+ Astonishing Vaseline Hacks
1. Remove gum from hair
2. Avoid Applying Vaseline to Sunburns
Estimated Cost: N/A Goal: Dispelling a common misconception regarding Vaseline
Let's dispel a few myths and discuss things you can't do with Vaseline, as the majority of this list focuses on what you can accomplish with it. Applying Vaseline to a sunburn is not a good idea, despite what you may have heard.
Never apply Vaseline to a sunburn. ©From Shutterstock/Fevziie
According to the Hospital of Central Connecticut, Vaseline blocks the pores on burnt skin, making it difficult for heat and perspiration to escape. Sunburns may consequently become more excruciating and difficult to recover from.
3. Control Unruly Brows
Estimated Cost: $1–$2* Use: Can create sleek, smooth eyebrows
According to IPSY, Vaseline can maintain the softness of your eyebrow hairs in addition to smoothing down straggling hairs that could upset your arch. Vaseline helps treat dry, flaky skin under your eyebrows and reduce redness.
Tame unruly eyebrows via YouTube or @TorontoStar
Given that Vaseline is safe for the eyes and scent-free, it's an inexpensive substitute for clear eyebrow gels, which typically cost more than $1 or $2 (the price of Vaseline). According to Byrdie, some people even assert that Vaseline can provide the appearance and feel of having much thicker brows.
4. Avoid Forming Tanning Streaks
Estimated Cost: $1–$2* Goal: Prevents patchiness in self-tanner
During at-home self-tanning sessions, streaks appear to be inevitable. Fortunately, Vaseline is an aid. Apply a little dab of Vaseline to the areas of your skin that are the driest prior to using the self-tanner.
Prevent the Formation of Tanning Streaks on Instagram and Pinterest
In order to avoid spots of tanner sticking to dry skin, the jelly will work as a sealer. Additionally, the Vaseline you're using will give your dry skin a great injection of hydration as a bonus.
5. Tighten the lightbulb
Estimated Cost: $1–$2* Goal: Prevent lightbulbs from adhering to their base
Lightbulbs that become stuck are especially common with outdoor lights that have been left in the socket for an extended period of time. It's difficult to unscrew obstinate bulbs, especially since you don't want to use too much force to break the glass.
Tighten Lightbulbs ©The shutterstock/Toidi
To prevent stuckness, rub the base of the bulb with a little bit of Vaseline before screwing it in. If you want to avoid future frustration, it's worth it to use this technique, which does involve some foresight.
6. Prevent the Rusting of Your Razor
Estimated Cost: $1–$2* Goal: Increases the life of your razor
The use of a rusted razor should be avoided at all costs, as it can lead to a variety of unpleasant side effects, such as infections and rashes. Even in a steamy, muggy bathroom, you can prevent your razor from rusting with this handy Vaseline trick.
Prevent Rusting in Your Razor, @aliviamariemars/Pinterest
Put a little Vaseline on your razor's blades in between uses. It's important to take caution when doing this to avoid cutting your fingers. Although it requires an extra step, it is worthwhile to maintain the pristine appearance of your razor blade.
7. Make This Mask for an Acne Face
Estimated Price: $20–$25* Goal: Reduces acne without irritating clear skin
This trick, which we discovered on the Vaseline website, is a face mask recipe that helps treat acne without drying the skin.. You will need one tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar and Indian healing clay ($12 at Walgreens). In a plastic bowl, combine the ingredients; apply to your face.
Make this TikTok acne face mask.
After fifteen minutes of letting the mixture settle, rinse. Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your face to seal in moisture after it has dried. This will prevent the mask from drying out on your skin, which could exacerbate acne.
8. Stealthy Flyaways
Estimated Cost: $1–$2* Use: Vaseline conceals stray hairs
After creating the most exquisite ponytail, braid, or bun, you're left wondering what to do with the flyaways. Everybody has those bothersome "extra" hair strands, and Vaseline can help manage them.
Flyaways Slick Back @gliks/Pinterest
A tiny quantity of jelly can do the trick when it comes to slicking back these wayward strands. Tightening the seal with Vaseline will stop them from escaping while you go about your day. With this tip, keep in mind that less is more to avoid greasy hair.
9. Avoid Using Vaseline on Fresh Ink
Estimated Cost: N/A Goal: Another debunked Vaseline myth
Regarding Vaseline, this is yet another myth that we had to dispel. According to Healthline, Vaseline is not a "good option" for tattoo aftercare; therefore, you should avoid using it on freshly inked skin. Because vaseline retains moisture, air won't reach your freshly applied ink.
YouTube.com/Don't Apply Vaseline to a New Tattoo
The healing process is accelerated by air flowing over the tattoo wound. Vaseline (or Neosporin, alcohol, lotion, etc.) applied to a freshly inked tattoo runs the risk of infection. Make sure to use a gentle soap, such as Bronner's Castile, which is highly recommended by tattoo artists, to clean the tattoo wound.
10. Eliminate Stains from Makeup on Clothes
Estimated Cost: $1–$2* Goal: Superior to other removers in its ability to remove oil from makeup stains
It is annoying when makeup gets on towels, blankets, clothing, or anything else. This is because makeup oils can make them difficult to remove. Prior to cleaning the clothes, try removing any stubborn spots using a moist cloth and Vaseline.
Eliminate Stains from Makeup on Clothes ©pics five/Shutterstock
Vaseline can extract oil more effectively than many removers available on the market if it is generously applied to the stain. Simply apply the Vaseline, let it sit for 10 minutes, remove any excess with a blotting paper, and wash the item as usual.
11. Don't Touch the Swimmer's Ear
Estimated Cost: $5* Goal: Using cotton balls and Vaseline prevents water from building up in the ear canal.
Swimmer's ear, a painful infection in the outer canal of the ear, is typically brought on by water that becomes trapped in the ear after swimming. This damp, wet atmosphere is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to an infection that can cause redness and swelling in the skin, ear ache, itching, and irritation.
Keep the Swimmer's Ear Apart @absolutehearing1/Youtube.com / ©WI / Adobe
Cotton balls and vaseline can aid in preventing the development of swimmer's ear. Apply vaseline to the cotton balls before swimming. After that, put them in your ears. By doing this, you can stop water from building up in your ear canal.
12. You Can Use Vaseline Instead of Eye Cream
Estimated Price: $5–$10* Goal: Vaseline and moisturiser can take the place of custom eye cream.
There are advantages to this TikTok exploit, which was discovered. Vaseline can serve as a cheaper alternative to pricey eye treatments, especially when combined with a moisturiser. When combined, the two have positive effects on the area under your eyes.
YouTube.com/Vaseline Can Take the Place of Eye Cream
Note: Vaseline will moisturise your under-eye area, just like an eye cream would, but it won't lighten dark circles or smooth out deep wrinkles. Having said that, you might want to try combining aloe vera gel and vitamin E if you have redness and inflammation beneath your eyes.
13. Get Rid of Unwanted Ants
Estimated Cost: $1–$2* Goal: Capture ants at the site of their invasion.
When ants invade a house, they often target specific areas that provide easy access to food, water, or shelter. These areas can include windowsills, kitchen countertops, dog dishes, or specific spots on the floor. Understanding where ants are likely to congregate can help in effectively managing and controlling an ant infestation.
One of the first steps in dealing with an ant invasion is identifying the areas where they are most active. Ants leave behind a pheromone trail that other ants follow, so once you see a few ants, it’s likely that more will follow the same path. Common places to check include the kitchen, where food crumbs and spills can attract ants, and near pet dishes, where pet food can be a significant draw. Windowsills are another common area, as ants often enter homes through small cracks and gaps around windows.
Once you have identified the areas where ants are congregating, a simple and temporary solution is to apply a thin layer of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to these areas. The Vaseline acts as a physical barrier, trapping the ants where they crawl and preventing them from moving freely. This method is not a permanent fix, but it can help contain the infestation and prevent the ants from spreading to other areas of the house.
To apply Vaseline, use a small spatula or a piece of cardboard to spread a thin layer along the edges of countertops, windowsills, or any other surfaces where ants are active. Be sure to cover any cracks or gaps that ants might use to enter the house. The Vaseline will trap the ants as they try to cross it, making it easier to clean them up and reducing the number of ants in the area.
While Vaseline can help manage an ant infestation in the short term, it is important to use more effective pest control techniques to eliminate the problem completely. One option is to use ant baits, which attract ants with a sweet or protein-based substance mixed with a slow-acting poison. The ants carry the bait back to their nest, where it is shared with the rest of the colony, eventually killing the entire colony. Place ant baits near the areas where you have seen ants, and be patient, as it can take a few days to a few weeks for the bait to work fully.
Another option is to use insecticidal sprays or powders. These products can be applied directly to ant trails, nests, and entry points to kill ants on contact. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label and take precautions to keep pets and children away from treated areas.
In addition to using ant baits and insecticides, it is important to take steps to prevent future infestations. Keep your home clean and free of food crumbs and spills, and store food in sealed containers. Regularly clean pet dishes and sweep up any spilled pet food. Seal any cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and other entry points to prevent ants from entering the house.
If the infestation is severe or if you are unable to control it on your own, consider contacting a professional pest control service. Pest control professionals have the experience and tools needed to effectively eliminate ant infestations and can provide advice on preventing future problems.
In summary, dealing with an ant invasion involves identifying the areas where ants are congregating, using temporary solutions like Vaseline to contain the infestation, and employing more effective pest control techniques such as ant baits and insecticides. By keeping your home clean and sealing entry points, you can help prevent future infestations. If necessary, seek professional help to ensure that the problem is fully resolved. For more tips and assistance, you can reach out to pest control experts at TruPest via their Facebook page at @TruPest1/Facebook.com.
