5 More Things To Do with Petroleum Jelly

Discovered in 1859, petroleum jelly was originally a manufacturing byproduct used by workers to heal cuts and wounds. Nowadays, petroleum jelly can be found in nearly every home, and is one of the most common cosmetic products around. Here are five fun new ways to use petroleum jelly around the house:

1. Take Out Lipstick Stains

You set the table at that lovely dinner party with your favourite cloth napkins, but your girlfriends left their mark all over them. Now dotted with lipstick stains, those napkins may be headed for the trash. But try this first. Before you wash them, blot petroleum jelly on the stain. Launder as usual and hopefully you will kiss the stains good-bye.

2. Shine Patent-Leather Shoes

You’ve got a pair of patent-leather shoes and a dynamite bag to match. The luster stays longer if you polish the items with petroleum jelly.

3. Seal a Plumber’s Plunger

Before you reach for that plunger to unclog the bathroom toilet, find some petroleum jelly. Apply it along the rim of the plunger and it will help create a tighter seal. Whoosh, clog’s gone.

4. Remove Watermarks on Wood

Your most recent party left lots of watermark rings on your wood furniture. To make them disappear, apply petroleum jelly and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe the watermark away with the jelly.

5. Keep Squirrels Away from the Bird Feeder

Feed the birds, not the squirrels. Keep the varmints off the pole of your bird feeder by greasing it with petroleum jelly. Squirrels slide right off, leaving the birds to eat in peace.

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