One common household item can act as a bug repellent, pain reliever, and more. Do you know what it is?
It’s Vick’s VapoRub, and most of us have a jar in our house. Typically, this topical cream is used to treat congestion caused by the common cold. However, it has far more uses than meets the eye. Made of eucalyptus oil, menthol, camphor, and other calming agents, Vick’s VapoRub can treat a variety of problems.
Below are 40 different ways Vick’s can be applied to everyday life.
1. Train your pets
If
you have a problem with your pet marking its territory around the
house, just grab an open container of Vicks VapoRub and place it in an
area that your pet often tries to mark. The strong scent will help to
deter them from the area and help them learn not to use the bathroom
inside! This is a great gentle teaching alternative compared to other
house-training methods.
2. Neosporin replacement
If you
run out of Neosporin, use VapoRub as a replacement. Spread a thin layer
around the wounded area (splinters, cuts, etc.) to help accelerate the
healing process. It also helps protect against germs and bacteria.
3. Treat acne
You can put some VapoRub on your pimples, acne, or other blemishes and leave it on overnight. When you wash it off in the morning your blemish should be gone. Try this remedy of other skin treatments aren’t working for you.
4. Cry on command
Need to bring out the
waterworks? Rub a little VapoRub underneath your eye to help you shed
some tears. Impress your friends with your on-command crying skills.
5. Treat psoriasis and eczema
With the summer sun shining, don’t hide your skin away. Using VapoRub on your eczema will reduce your inflammation and itchiness from the condition. Let your skin breathe!
6. Relieve ear aches
Use Vicks VapoRub to stop earaches. Rub a small amount of VapoRub on a cotton ball and put it in your ear for several hours, several times a day. It will not only reduce the pain but also prevent a potential infection.
7. Relieve headaches
If you ever have
headaches or migraines often, Vicks can be a great way to help provide
some relief to the pain. The menthol in Vicks VapoRub helps to cool off
your temples and relieve pressure if you rub some onto it. Be sure to
keep it around, but if your migraines are occurring frequently, it would
be a good idea to see a doctor.
8. Fight against stretch marks
Stretch
marks are one of the worst symptoms of aging. And for those
experiencing pregnancy, finding ways to keep your skin looking young is
crucial. It turns out though, that Vicks VapoRub is a great way to fight
against stretch marks from developing. Some of the primary ingredients
in Vicks, eucalyptus oil, cedar leaf oil, petrolatum, camphor, and
turpentine oil, all combine to help stretched skin both feel softer and
increase moisture. This will help to keep stretch marks from standing
out.
9. Soothe sunburns
Now that summer is here, sunburn
is here with it. The cool feeling you get by rubbing on Vicks is
perfect for some nice relief from that annoying stinging sensation. Just
rub some of it on the affected area and you’ll be feeling better in no
time!
10. Fight toenail fungus
Thymol is one of the main
ingredients in Vicks VapoRub and is great for blocking the growth of
fungus because of its antiseptic, antimicrobial and antibacterial
properties. All you have to do is rub some of it on the bed of your nail
and toenail to get rid of the fungus.
11. Relieve sore muscles
The
menthol in Vicks can help to not only offer a refreshing cool to your
skin, but it can also help to improve your blood circulation. After
physical activity, just grab some Vicks and rub it onto any areas that
are experiencing soreness. This should provide relief and comfort to any
painful areas.
12. As bug repellent
Apply a thin layer
of VapoRub to exposed skin, and it will repel annoying insects like
mosquitoes. This is perfect for camping or when traveling through humid
areas. The strong scent will deter bugs from coming your way.
13. Relieve bruises
If
you have skin that bruises easily, Vicks can be your best friend when
it comes to healing them. Just mix a pinch of salt into some a dab of
Vicks and rub it onto any areas of skin that are bruised. It will help
to dissolve the bruise and your skin will return to normal in no time!
14. Soothe chapped lips
If
your lips get dry often, apply some Vicks VapoRub to them. This is a
great home remedy to moisturize and soften them up. Pucker up!
15. Repair cracked heels
Do you wish you had soft heals but are stick with skin that dries and cracks? Just grab some Vicks and apply it to your heels and feet. Wear cotton socks on top and be sure to wash your feet with warm water. Use the Vicks nightly and you can also rub a pumice stone onto your heels to help exfoliate and further soften your skin.
16. Remove your eye makeup
If you’re all out
of makeup remover you can use VapoRub in a pinch. Use a cotton ball to
wipe the tops of your eyelids and around your eye. Make sure you avoid
wiping it directly on your eye or eyelashes.
17. Burn fat
Want
to get rid of fat and cellulite? Apply some VapoRub mixed with camphor,
baking soda, and a little bit of alcohol. Rub this mixture on the area
you want to slim down and cover it with plastic wrap.
18. Heal cuts and splinters
19. Keep your horse focused
If
you ride horses, listen up. You can keep a horse from getting
distracted by the scent of female horses by applying some VapoRub under
his nose. No need to let mating season stop you from going on a ride.
20. Apply as skin moisturizer
VapoRub
works a fantastic skin moisturizer, especially on chapped skin. Just
like with chapped lips, VapRub will restore the moisture to dry, cracked
skin. New skin, new you.
21. Relieve itchiness
Itchiness
is one of the most irritating skin conditions to deal with. Apply some
VapoRub on bug bites or dry skin to prevent itchiness. Sitting through a
meeting or class without having to scratch will feel like heaven.
22. Prevent skin infections
Burns
and other skin wounds can become infected if you don’t take proper
precautions. Apply some VapoRub to the area to prevent infection. But if
the condition worsens, be sure to see your doctor.
23. Remove stubborn lipstick
If
you’ve ever applied matte, red or other bold colored lipstick before
you’ll know how hard it is to take off. But not with some VapoRub. Apply
a thin layer of VapoRub on your stained lip and let it sit for five
minutes before wiping it off completely. Shine on ladies!
24. Save your furniture from your cat’s claws
You
can stop your cat from scratching up items in your home by applying a
little bit of VapoRub on it. Your cat will want to avoid the smell at
all costs. No more buying furniture covers for your sofas or chairs!
25. Relieve tennis elbow
Even
tennis superstars can get tennis elbow. Massage your elbow with VapoRub
until the camphor and menthol in it soothes the pain. Let your arm rest
until you’re ready to swing again.
26. Get rid of warts
Have
a nasty wart that suddenly appeared? No problem. Apply VapoRub to your
warts twice a day for two weeks. Cover the area with gauze in between
until the wart disappears
27. Homemade slimming cream for your stomach
If
you want to increase the weight-loss potential of a home therapy wrap,
just create a homemade slimming cream using Vicks Vapo-Rub, camphor,
baking soda, and a little rubbing alcohol. Although you could
technically slather on some Vicks by itself, too much menthol can
irritate or burn the skin, so it is a better idea to add camphor powder.
28. Apply to feet to relieve night coughs
Have
a cold and can’t sleep at night? Applying Vicks on your feet before bed
provides nighttime cough relief. Rub a generous amount of VapoRub all
over your feet and cover them with socks for a good night’s sleep.
29. As a bedtime humidifier
Special
types of humidifiers and vaporizers can allow a secret edition of
Vick’s VapoRub. Make sure to check that your humidifier has an
aromatherapy compartment before using. The humidifier will circulate
Vicks throughout the air and keep you breathing easy all night long.
30. Relieve a congested chest
Probably
the most classic uses of Vick’s VapoRub. When applied to the upper
chest, it provides fantastic relief of cough and congestion symptoms.
Make sure to stock up on Vick’s for winter season.
31. Silence a squeaky door
Squeaky
doors can lead to headaches. If you have a door that squeaks when it
opens or closes, try using Vick’s VapoRub. It acts as a good emergency
replacement for oil.
32. Hide bad smells
Everyday life
can build up into some bad smells. Whether it’s from a baby’s diaper or
taking out the trash, relieve the bad smell by making your own Vick’s
air freshener or applying some under your nose. Your sinuses will thank
you.
33. Shower bomb
You might have heard of bath bombs,
but shower bombs are another way to get relaxation during a quick
rinse. Some products called “shower disks” contain Vick’s VapoRub. After
placing the disk in the shower, the vapor will dissolve into the air.
That vapor paired with the steam from the shower will instantly clear up
any clogged sinuses.
34. Heal athlete’s foot
Suffer
from athlete’s foot? No problem. Put a small amount of Vicks VapoRub on
your foot two times a day to combat athlete’s foot. Now you can get back
on the court or field with ease.
35. Treat hemorrhoids
Hopefully
you won’t have to use Vick’s VapoRub for this reason. But fun fact, for
small, itchy hemorrhoids, apply Vick’s on there and let the menthol
drown out the itch. But make sure to know if you can tolerate the burn
first by testing Vick’s on another part of your body.
36. Treat ringworm
Dr.
Peter H. Gott’s staff and Jared Zeiman, M.D write: “Vicks, as well as
store and other generic forms of mentholated chest rubs, has been used
successfully by many of my readers for a variety of conditions,
including nail fungus, plaque psoriasis, seborrheic keratoses, ringworm,
neuropathy pain and more.” If you do have a case of ringworm, apply
Vicks two to three times a day.
37. Treat a dry scalp
Treat
the affected area by taking a thin layer of Vick’s and rubbing it onto
the dry parts of your scalp. Try doing this home remedy right before you
go to bed or after you take a shower. The oil from the eucalyptus and
the petroleum work together as a salve for your scalp.
38. Promote hair growth
Take
a small amount of Vick’s and apply it to your scalp. The benefits? 1:
Stimulates blood flow to the scalp. 2: Kills scalp bacteria. 3: Tingling
sensation means “it’s working”
39. Clear up rosacea
A
small amount of Vick’s with help the look and discomfort of rosacea. It
also helps promotes clear skin. Whether it’s acne, rosacea, or both,
Vick’s can work as a treatment for many skin conditions.
40. Heal cooking burns
If
you’re channeling your inner Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen and
accidentally burn yourself, fear not. After running the burn after some
cold water, apply Vick’s to the injury. The remedy should soothe the
sting of the burn.