Vaseline is an ultra-moisturizing ointment derived from petroleum. For years, its use has been limited to lubricating intimate parts, but Vaseline has many other uses. Vaseline can also be used as an everyday beauty, care and upkeep product.
Having a jar of Vaseline in the medicine cupboard will benefit you in many ways, as this product has many virtues: it has emollient, insulating, moisturizing and repairing properties.
What are other common uses for Vaseline?
Find out more about other household uses for Vaseline below.
The origin of Vaseline
Vaseline was created in 1872 by the American Robert Chesebroug, who was looking for a remedy for dry skin suffered by North Americans. The brand name was registered by its inventor the same year, and since then, the word has entered the realm of everyday language and is classified as a common noun in the dictionary.
This ointment has become an indispensable product in many households since the Second World War. Primarily used as a lubricant, its moisturizing effect on dry skin is also popular. Vaseline has a very oily consistency and is perfectly tolerated by the skin because it is stable. Moreover, there are very few cases of irritation or skin reactions linked to its use. You can easily find Vaseline in grocery stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, etc.
Vaseline’s high skin tolerance, despite being derived from petroleum, means that it is commonly used as an ingredient in many skincare and cosmetics products. It’s also worth mentioning that Vaseline has the particularity of preventing evaporation and water loss, giving it optimal moisturizing potential.
Vaseline for household maintenance
If Vaseline’s uses as a beauty and hygiene product are well known, it can also be used for home maintenance.
For shining metals
Vaseline has a cleaning and polishing action, making it effective for polishing metals such as Silver, Pewter and Gold. It can therefore be used, for example, to shine silverware. To do this, apply a dab of Vaseline to a dry microfiber cloth, then rub the metal object. Leave to dry for a few minutes, then rub again with a clean, dry cloth.
For cleaning marble and granite
Because of their fragility, marble and granite can be difficult to clean. Once again, you can use Vaseline to make your marble or granite furniture shine, without fear of damaging it.
To refresh tarnished leather
Vaseline may leave stains on textiles, but it’s a particularly effective leather restorer. You can use it to remove stains from leather objects. Simply wipe a Vaseline-coated cloth over the leather and rub over stained or mouldy areas to remove effectively.
Excess product can be wiped off after cleaning, but it is advisable to leave a thin film of Vaseline on the leather surface to protect it from moisture and other external aggressions. To prevent the greasy film from transferring to your clothes, polish the leather with a soft brush.
Vaseline is also particularly effective in protecting furniture leather from cracks, by softening it.
For wood protection
Wooden furniture, even when placed indoors, is exposed to minor damage such as scratches. Over time, the varnish layer can also flake off, tarnishing the wood.
To restore the shine and protect your wooden furniture, apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the surface, rubbing with a soft cloth. The greasy film left on the wood by Vaseline moisturizes and protects the wood.
Bottom line, Vaseline is a real multi-purpose product that will be useful for your various household tasks. To discover the other uses of this product for your beauty care, go to this article.