There’s a lot of talk about the health benefits of coconut oil, but it’s also a great help around the house. Need to season cast iron or keep your hinges from squeaking? Look no further.
Coconut oil consumption in the United States has increased 40% in the last 20 years. Although many of coconut oil’s most popular uses are culinary (despite the controversy surrounding its high saturated fat content and its detrimental effects on cholesterol levels), Americans are learning that the oil is also very useful in the home: Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, it doesn’t go rancid, and its high fat content makes it an excellent household conditioner and lubricant. When buying coconut oil, avoid cheap processed versions of the product. Instead, look for virgin, unrefined coconut oil, which retains the essential fatty acids that contribute to its overall effectiveness in the home. (The purest, like all saturated fats, is solid at room temperature). Below, discover how a single jar of coconut oil can help you streamline a host of household chores.
1. Hydrate Your Dog’s Paws and Skin
If dry skin is causing your dog to itch, or if your dog has developed dry, cracked paws, moisturizing coconut oil may be able to alleviate the discomfort. To alleviate Fido’s dry patches, put a small amount of coconut oil in your palms and rub your hands gently over the affected areas. Apply the oil up to 3 times a week. When finished, either leave the oil on your dog’s fur or rinse out any greasiness with water.
2. Remove Sap
You know how troublesome sap can be if you’ve parked under a pine tree or left your patio set too close to the backyard maple. Hand-washing the spot with soap and water can sometimes take care of the sticky goo, but sap can be very stubborn. Clean the sap off before it hardens with a liberal application of coconut oil. Allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes before wiping it away with a cloth soaked in hot water.
3. Kill Weeds
When hand-pulling weeds isn’t doing the trick, coconut oil can help safely kill weeds in your garden without harming the soil. Coconut oil contains fatty acids that inhibit a weed’s ability to photosynthesize and eliminate waste, causing it to die off. Warm equal parts coconut oil and cheap vegetable oil in a saucepan on low. Whisk to combine the oils and prevent the coconut oil from solidifying. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and let it cool. Spray the weeds daily for approximately 2 weeks, making sure to shake the bottle before each use.
4. Tend Minor Wounds
A 2010 study in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that coconut oil reduced inflammation and increased collagen production, which are essential steps of skin healing. While you should always seek emergency care or medical attention for significant accidents around the home, minor scrapes and bruises can be tended to with a touch of coconut oil. After cleaning the affected area with soap and water, apply an antibiotic cream to the wound, then apply a thin layer of coconut oil to help prevent scarring. Both the ointment and the oil are sticky, so you’ll probably want to cover the treated wound with a bandage to keep the ointments in place.
5. Unstick a Zipper
You’re in a rush, you throw on your coat—and boom, your zipper gets stuck. Instead of tugging frantically and making matters worse, dab a bit of coconut oil on the zipper’s trouble spot. Work the oil into the teeth, but try to avoid getting oil on the garment’s fabric. Move the zipper back and forth gently until it moves freely.
6. Deter Dust on a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are dust magnets, and cleaning their blades is a pretty inconvenient task. The next time you climb a ladder to clean your ceiling fan blades, take a jar of coconut oil with you. Dust the blades first to remove dirty buildup, then dab a little oil onto a clean microfiber cloth and apply directly to each fan blade to help prevent the static electricity that attracts dust.
7. De-gunk Your Dashboard
When a film forms on your car’s dashboard panel, it’s hard to see your speedometer, map, and other crucial travel information. To clean your dashboard and keep it dust-free, apply a small amount of coconut oil to a clean microfiber cloth and buff gently. While it’s unlikely that a natural oil will cause any harm to dashboard glass, you may wish to test a small, inconspicuous area first before wiping down the rest of the surface.
8. Season Cast Iron Skillets
A cast-iron skillet needs to be seasoned to prevent rust and retain its cooking abilities. Coconut oil is the ideal agent. To season a skillet with coconut oil, apply a thick coat all over the pan, inside and out, and place it in a cool oven. Set the oven to 300 degrees, and when it reaches that temperature, let the skillet bake for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and allow the skillet to cool completely before wiping away—but not washing off—the oil.
9. Maintain Your Garden Tools
Consider keeping a second jar of coconut oil in your garden shed or potting bench, within easy reach of your outdoor tools. In summer, rub a thin layer over clean metal lawnmower blades before running it to prevent grass from sticking, caking, and causing deterioration over time. Do the same to garden tools like shovels and trimmers to keep them in tip-top shape.
10. Stop Squeaks and Rust
A teaspoon of coconut oil will quiet a squeaky door hinge in mere seconds. Rub the oil into the hardware using a clean cloth, then open and shut the door several times to work it in for silent, smooth functioning. Get the same results outside on your outdoor gate hinges, and smaller hinges on kitchen cupboards and cabinets indoors. This natural door hinge lubricant also prevents rust and dust buildup, so you may want to dab some onto your hinges before they start squeaking.
11. Polish Stainless Steel Appliances
Tired of fingerprints and streak marks on your stainless steel appliances? Simply rub a teaspoon of coconut oil into the surface, using a soft, dry cloth in a circular motion, starting at the top and moving downward. Once you’ve covered the whole surface, run a fresh cloth over it in the same direction as the grain for a bright, mark-free shine. The same application technique will deter unsightly water marks on stainless steel sinks and faucets.
12. Condition and Restore Wood
Coconut oil makes a high-quality conditioner for wood and keeps it supple, preventing warping, and minimizing the effects of daily use. Here’s how to keep your wood furnishings in good shape: Clean the wooden surface with a damp towel or dust cloth, then rub a small amount of oil into the surface using circular motions and a clean cloth. Let the oil soak in for 15 minutes before wiping clean. If wood doesn’t shine up as much as you’d like, try this natural cleaner: Combine the juice of half a lemon to a quarter cup of coconut oil. Mix well, rub into wood, and wipe clean after 2 minutes. Note: To condition cutting boards, use only pure coconut oil for its antimicrobial properties.
13. Erase Stickiness and Unwanted Marks
Coconut oil is great for lifting residue from almost any surface, including hard-to-remove sticker residue, gum in carpeting, skid marks on linoleum, and crayon on walls. Simply dab a little oil onto the offending sticky or waxy mess, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe clean with a cloth or paper towel.
