18 Genius Ways Vaseline Could Save Your Life
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The last thing you’d imagine as a survival sidekick is a small jar of petroleum jelly. Petroleum Jelly was discovered sometime in the 1860s by a New York chemist, Robert Augustus Chesebrough. This product was branded as Vaseline Petroleum Jelly in 1870. By 1875, Americans were buying Vaseline Petroleum Jelly at the rate of one jar a minute.
Taming zippers or dealing with sunburns, vaseline multitasks in the most surprising ways. Are you an adventurer, a prepper, or just someone who’s curious? Go grab that jar of Vaseline and check out these 18 genius ways Vaseline can quite literally save your life.
Turn Cotton Balls into Fire Starters
Do you need to fire up a fire on demand? Even in wet conditions, coat cotton balls with Vaseline and watch them burn steadily for 3 to 5 minutes. These are lifesavers in disguise, whether you’ve been marooned in the woods or trying to perfect s’mores.
Shield Your Skin in the Cold
Skincare should be the last thing on the list to skip when it’s blizzard season. To form a windproof, cold-resistant barrier, smear some Vaseline on exposed skin.
Soothe Sunburn
Forgot the sunscreen? Ouch. After sunburn, apply Vaseline to sunburned areas to help keep the moisture in and to speed the healing while taking the edge off that lobster—like redness.
Stop Blisters Before They Start
Are you in the middle of long hikes, or do new shoes rub you the wrong way? Reduce friction and spare yourself some painful blisters by applying Vaseline to blister-prone areas. Your feet will cheer.
Unstuck Locks and Objects
Frozen lock? Tight jar lid? Wiggle your way out of sticky situations — literally — by using Vaseline as an emergency lubricant.
Seal Minor Wounds
You don’t need a tiny cut to ruin your day. If you get a scrape or burn, Vaseline creates a protective barrier, keeping impurities out and encouraging healing.
Fight Infection
Studies show that petroleum jelly is just as effective as an antibiotic ointment for non-infected wounds. Applying Vaseline over minor wounds will keep infections at bay. No germs allowed here!
Prevent Chafing Pains
Long workouts or outdoor runs do not have to end in tears. For immediate and irritation-free movement, rub Vaseline on areas that tend to chaf.
Rescue Dry, Cracked Skin
Crusty elbows? Cracked heels? Vaseline’s super moisturizer power will fix that right up. Simply rub a layer over trouble spots and the overnight magic waits.
Say Goodbye to Stubborn Makeup
Is your waterproof mascara acting up on you? Even the toughest makeup can be gently removed with a bit of Vaseline on a cotton pad that won’t irritate your skin.
Protect Your Skin When Dyeing Hair
Your hair dye running onto your forehead? Rookie mistake. Dodge unwanted dye stains by layering Vaseline around your hairline and your bathroom mirror selfie will look clean and polished.
Heal Chapped Lips
Lip balms are good, but when lips look like the Sahara Desert, then Vaseline can’t be beat. Get instant soft, kissable lips.
Prevent Razor Burn
DIY shaving cream in a pinch? Vaseline’s nice because it’s so slick – it can help reduce razor irritation and have your legs softer than silk.
Waterproof Leather Goods
Make your leather boots or backpack water repellers. A thin layer of Vaseline keeps them dry and working when you next need to plow through puddles.
Prevent Corrosion on Tools
Hate rusty tools? Vaseline is a good thing to keep in your workshop. Like a pro, rub it on metal tools to fend off rust; your cordless drill agrees.
Unstick Zippers
A stuck tent zipper when it’s pouring rain is the worst. Apply some Vaseline to the zipper so you can easily free it and get back inside. Crisis averted.
Protect Battery Terminals
Corrosion on battery terminals can kill a battery, and that’s no fun in an emergency. Apply Vaseline quickly to prevent corrosion and make batteries run smoothly.
Remove Gum from Hair
Bubblegum accident? Don’t panic, massage some Vaseline into the sticky mess and it slides right out. No scissors necessary.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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