We all know the benefits of coconut oil for beauty, skin and hair care – not to mention our diets. But did you realize how great it is around the home? From cleaning to polishing and everything in between, the tasks coconut oil can accomplish are countless! Here are 20 household uses you’ll want to incorporate into your household routine right away.
Coconut oil for cleaning
1. Stain removal
Whether you've splashed juice on the carpet or dribbled coffee on your shirt, just about anything can be swiped clean with this simple stain-removing remedy. Combine an equal amount of coconut oil with baking soda, and mix it into a paste. Apply the paste to the stain, wait five minutes, and then wipe it away.
2. Stain prevention
To protect plastic containers from pesky food stains (like tomato sauce rings!), apply a thin layer of liquid coconut oil inside. This thin film will keep your containers clean and clear.
3. Get gum out
So, that chewing gum worked its way out of your mouth and into your hair. Now what? Grab a spoonful of coconut oil and mash it into the hair/gum tangle. The mess will be untangled quickly and painlessly. (Coconut oil also works similarly to remove gum from carpet fibers.)
4. Gunk removal
To remove gunk, like tree sap or dead bugs, from your car hood, just slather on some coconut oil. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then scrub away the gunk with a microfiber cloth.
5. Erase crayon and remove scuff marks
One moment your kids are coloring neatly in the lines and the next, they’re scribbling strategically on your walls. Apply some coconut oil to a scrubbing sponge and wipe away that unwanted color.
For scuff marks, rub coconut oil directly onto the marks, on walls or floors, and watch them disappear!
6. Clean and disinfect the bathroom
Coconut oil not only cleans but it also disinfects due to its natural antibacterial properties. This makes it a great bathroom cleaner (much gentler than chemical products, too!). Simply mix coconut oil and baking soda into a paste and slather it on shower tiles or stubborn stains inside the bathtub – wherever soap scum or mildew is present. After letting it sit for five to 10 minutes, wipe it clean with a towel to reveal a sparkle!
7. Create homemade soap
Sensitive skin and harsh allergies demand natural remedies. You can create your very own coconut oil soap and even laundry detergent that is gentle on your skin. Combine lye, water, coconut oil and the essential oil of your choice to enjoy an all-natural, fragrant and ultra-moisturizing cleaning agent.
Coconut oil for polishing
8. Polish furniture
Rub coconut oil into dull wooden furniture and glam up its natural glow! Not only will you make your furniture look new again, but you’ll create a lovely coconut smell throughout your living room. This will also help surfaces to repel dust.
To offer boosted cleaning power, combine coconut oil with a touch of lemon juice and vinegar, but be sure to spot check on a small area first to make sure the lemon/vinegar mixture won’t damage the wood.
9. Polish appliances
Rub down pots, pans and stainless steel appliances with a few teaspoons of coconut oil to make them really shine. Be sure to use a microfiber cloth that won’t scratch appliance surfaces.
10. Preserve wooden cutting boards and utensils
Not only will coconut oil make your wooden items gleam and extend their lifespan, but it will also protect against bacteria. Disinfect your cutting board and utensils with a simple vinegar and lemon juice mixture, then smear on a layer of coconut oil making sure to work it deep into the wood grain.
11. Season cast iron pans
Nothing beats a well-seasoned, cast-iron pan – and it’s easy to keep them in good shape with coconut oil. To season, apply a thin layer of coconut oil, covering the surface of the pan, and then bake it in the oven. Voila! You'll have a perfectly seasoned pan.
12. Clean and restore leather
Just like our own skin, leather is a natural material and is susceptible to drying and cracking. To infuse life back into your leather couch, try rubbing in some coconut oil. This will not only infuse moisture into the leather, but coconut oil’s natural antibacterial properties also clean the material.
13. Preserve eggs/keep them fresh for longer
Natural, farm-fresh eggs already have a protective layer that guards against bacteria, but storebought eggs generally lack this coating. Protect your eggs and extend their shelf life by dipping room-temperature eggs into melted coconut oil. Allow the eggs to dry and then store them in a cool place. Eggs can last months this way.
Coconut oil for repairing
14. Fix squeaky hinges
Nothing sends a shiver up your spine faster than a squeaky hinge. But with a teaspoon or two of coconut oil, you can silence that creaking hinge. Dab the oil onto the hinge while opening and closing the door to work it into the hardware.
15. Remove sticky labels
That gunk left behind from stickers or adhesive labels is always a hassle to remove. Forget about trying to work it off with your nails! Wash the jar with soap and warm water, then rub the label residue with coconut oil to lift it away quickly and easily.
16. Prevent dust
Dust always seems to gather faster than you can remove it. By spot-rubbing coconut oil onto wood and plastic surfaces, you can repel dust and keep them dust free longer. Some great spots for this dust-prevention trick are those high up, hard-to-reach ceiling fans (which are a pain to clean). You can even use coconut oil on garden tools come spring to help prevent dirt from sticking to the surface.
17. DIY candles
This is more of a home decor idea than a fixer, but coconut oil DIY candles are easy to make and make any space smell great – especially when mixed with your favorite essential oil! Coconut oil candles are perfect for home decor and natural aromatherapy.
Coconut oil for relief
18. Create a non-toxic insect repellent
You can start preparing to keep bugs at bay this spring with an all-natural, coconut oil insect repellent. Combine coconut oil with insect-repelling essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus or tea tree oil. One study even suggested that Thai-inspired essential oils combined with coconut oil provided over 98 percent protection from the bite of certain mosquitoes.
This mixture is also safe enough to apply directly to your skin since coconut oil acts as a carrier oil. Try dabbing/spraying the repellent onto outdoor furniture, too, to keep your patio pest-free!
19. Soothe insect bites
Chances are, you’ll still get a few insect bites this spring and summer. To relieve those bug bites, try rubbing on some coconut oil. It will naturally lessen the itch, bring down swelling and disinfect the area.
20. Create natural throat lozenges
For sore throat relief, you can create your own natural coconut oil throat lozenges. Whip together coconut oil, ginger and honey in a bowl, then scoop the mixture into a mini ice cube tray and freeze. Not only will you enjoy cold and soothing lozenges, but you'll be getting the extra benefits that come with these natural ingredients.
