33 Household Products You Can Replace With a Single Jar of Coconut Oil

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Coconut oil is quite possibly one of the most versatile ingredients to keep in the kitchen. Perfect for frying, baking and sweets cooking, it’s hard to imagine how we ever got by without it!

Aside from its culinary virtues, coconut oil offers many other benefits around the home. It’s even incredibly useful in your natural beauty regime!

Here’s 33 Reasons To Go Crazy For Coconut Oil! (And not just in the kitchen…)

Beauty

Nourish Split or Dry Ends. Trying to grow long and luscious locks? Protect the delicate ends of your hair with a regular treatment of coconut oil. Simply warm a small quantity of oil in the palms of your hands, then gently rub into the tips of the hair shaft. Leave in for at least several hours before rinsing, or wait until your next hair wash.

Natural Eye Make Up Remover. Do you have sensitive eyes or find it hard to get rid of the last bit of makeup residue? Apply a few dabs of coconut oil around your eyes and gently massage in small circular motions to dissolve your makeup. Rinse away with warm water and enjoy the clean, rejuvenated feeling.

Salvage Cracked Heels. Hard, cracked heels are uncomfortable and expose your skin to higher risk of infection. Soften and moisturize this area with a regular dose of coconut oil. Pop on an old pair of socks afterwards to help the oil soak in and to prevent any slippery falls.

Make A Massage Oil. There’s few things as relaxing and rejuvenating as massage. It stimulates blood flow, increases lymph drainage, relieves muscle tension and instantly creates calm. There’s no need to buy a fancy bottle of massage oil; simply mix a few drops of your favorite essential oils into a small container of coconut oil.

Exfoliate Naturally. Mix a little coconut oil with some leftover coffee grounds from your morning brew. Rub gently over the rough skin on your elbows, knees and feet, then rinse off in your morning shower. Super invigorating for your mind and body to kickstart the day!

Make Your Own Delicious Scrub. The formula is simple: Combine 1 cup of coconut oil, ¼ cup of sea salt, ¼ cup of sugar and a few drops of your favorite essential oil and mix well. Lather a handful over your skin, then rinse off for an indulgent pampering. Just keep wet hands out of the scrub (pour onto your hands or dispense with a spoon instead) as moisture will invite spoilage into the mixture.

Reduce Hair Dye Stains. If you use natural hair dyes at home, you may be familiar with the pesky job of trying to keep the dye from seeping down and staining your scalp. Before applying the hair dye, try smearing a small amount of oil along the boundary of your hairline. This acts a natural barrier to help protect against unwanted smudges and stains.

All-Round Moisturizer. Coconut oil is cheap, natural and effective as a whole body moisturizer. Keep a jar beside the shower and apply whilst your skin is warm and ready to soak up the goodness!

Pucker Up, Baby. Plump and glossy lips speak of rosy health and a natural beauty. The trouble is, many glosses and lip sticks contain all manner of chemicals which are bad news for your health. Carry a small vial of coconut in your handbag instead. You’ll achieve the same glossy sheen and nourish your lips at the same time.

Care For Your Cuticles. Giving your cuticles some TLC with a regular dose of coconut oil will help you to grow strong nails and maintain youthful hands. Simply dab a tiny drop onto the bed of your fingernail and work into your cuticles. It feels beautifully nourishing too! (Hot tip: leave your hands for a little while before driving… They will be a little slippery.)

Combat The Frizz. Few of us wake up with an orderly ‘do. For most of us, our hair needs a little love and attention before we’re ready to face the day. Instead of spritzing your scalp with chemical hair sprays (which ultimately get absorbed into the bloodstream), try gently massaging your hair with a very small quantity of coconut oil. Start at the ends of your hair and slowly work your way up as needed. And remember, a little bit goes a long way here.

Freshen Up With A Foot Scrub. Our feet carry us all day long and often don’t receive the love they deserve! Mix a large dollop of coconut oil with peppermint oil and a tablespoon of salt to create your scrub. Soak your feet in a bucket of warm water for 10 minutes before rubbing the coconut scrub over your feet, taking extra care over the heel or any harder areas. Rinse your feet in the bucket and pat dry. Put a pair of socks on straight away to lock in the residual oil and protect you from slipping.

The Most Simple Deodorant Ever. If you’re not a naturally sweaty person (yup, some people perspire more than others) and don’t have any scheduled exercise, some people find that a smear of coconut oil under their armpits will naturally protect against BO. For a little extra support, you can also mix in some aluminium-free bicarb soda to keep you fresh. (Heads up - this option is probably best in sleeveless tops, as some material will stain with the oil and bicarb.)

Shave Naturally. Forget chemical shaving creams and say hello to coconut oil! Lather your legs with a generous coating of oil and slide over your razor. You’ll nourish your skin and achieve a silky close shave! (This is sometimes easier to do on a towel before jumping in the shower. You can wipe your hands on the towel if they start to slip and it stops the oil from coating your shower floor.)

Deep Condition Dry Hair. After shampooing, massage a handful of coconut oil through your hair, paying special attention to your scalp and roots. Leave for ten minutes before rinsing clean. (This can make your shower a little slippery, so feel free to wash your hair off over a sink instead.)

Home

Polish Your Furniture To A High Shine. Many commercial furniture waxes and polishes contain artificial chemicals. We breathe these chemicals into our lungs (and therefore our bloodstream) or absorb them into our skin when we contact the furniture. Coconut oil can make a great natural alternative… Just be sure to patch test an area first!

Condition Your Pots & Pans. If you use cast iron cookware, a regular conditioning of these cooking surfaces will go a long way towards preventing rust and preserving cookware quality. Dispense a small amount of coconut oil into the pan and rub over with paper towel or old rag.

Shine Your Shoes. Coconut oil makes a cheap, natural alternative to shoe polish. You only need an old rag, a small dab of coconut oil and a little bit of elbow grease! Patch test a small area of your shoes first to make sure the surface is definitely suitable. (Most leather shoes should be okay.)

Say Goodbye To Soap Scum. Apply a generous smear of coconut oil over built-up soap scum and leave to soak in for at least 20 minutes. If the surface is suitable, wipe away using a rough sponge or old pantyhose. Rinse the oily residue away with warm soapy water.

Give Your Plants A Green Glow. Indoor potted plants tend to lose their vibrancy when they gather dust. Restore a shiny healthy glow to their leaves by rubbing a very small quantity of coconut oil into their upper foliage. This will help deter further dust from building up so quickly, too!

Kitchen

Condition Your Cutting Boards. Wooden chopping boards will last a lot longer - and carry a whole less germs - with a regular deep clean and condition. Spray your board with a little vinegar before washing well in warm soapy water. Once dry, gently massage coconut oil into the wood for a shiny finish and powerful protection!

Butter Up With Coconut Oil. Can’t eat dairy and miss your butter? Coconut oil makes a tasty substitute! For a special treat, smear a serve of coconut oil over your toast, pancakes or homemade cakes and muffins. Coconut oil also makes a great vegan substitute for butter in general baking.

A Super Simple Scrumptious Snack. Hungry for something quick and nourishing? Warm a little coconut oil in a pan and make your own popcorn! These crunchy white balls will come out with a gentle hint of coconutty goodness.

Natural Non-Stick Baking. Simply grease your cake tins, trays and roasting containers with a thin film of coconut oil. It will reduce the food sticking to the cookware surface.

Remedies

Natural Sleep Aid. Mix a few drops of pure lavender essential oil into a small quantity of coconut oil. Massage this mixture into your temples, back of the neck and shoulders to wind down and sink into a relaxing, restorative sleep.

Make Your Own Vapor Rub. Mix a couple of drops of Eucalyptus Oil into a few spoonfuls of coconut oil. Massage into your chest and back or dab onto a tissue to place under your pillow. It will decongest your airways and soothe an aching chest.

Total Teeth Health. Mix coconut oil with a tiny smidge of clove and oregano essential oils. Apply to your toothbrush and use at the end of your normal dental care routine. This can support dental health naturally and brighten your teeth!

Make A Natural Insect Repellent. Combine coconut oil with a few drops of either rosemary, tea tree, peppermint or eucalyptus oil. Smear some lotion over exposed skin to keep those creepy crawlies at bay! (But please note, some essential oils are not recommended for use during pregnancy.)

Soothe A Sore Tummy. Put a few droplets of pure peppermint oil into 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Using the flat of your hand, gently rub into your stomach in a clockwise direction to soothe stomach spasms and bloating.

Itchy Skin Salve. Apply a small amount of coconut oil over insect bites and itchy welts. Just patch test if the rash is new or you haven’t tried coconut oil on your skin before. For most people however, coconut oil can be quite soothing for normal itchy skin conditions.

Freshen Your Breath Naturally. Brush your teeth with coconut oil and a little bicarb soda, taking care to gently brush the top surface of your tongue as well. The naturally antifungal and antibacterial properties of coconut oil help to protect against the bad bacteria in your mouth that contribute to bad breath. Gargle and rinse with a little sea salt dissolved in water for a fresh and squeaky clean mouth feel.

Oil Pulling. For centuries, Ayurvedic Medicine has promoted the practice of oil pulling for detoxification. Simply put a tablespoon of coconut oil into your mouth and swish it around as it melts to coat your teeth and tongue. Hold for 20 minutes without swallowing before spitting into a waste bin. For more information, click here!

These Are Our Top 33 But There Are Sooooo Many Uses For Coconut Oil! What’s Your Favorite Way To Use It?

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