16 Surprising Uses for Coconut Oil Around Your Home
Unlock unexpected ways this natural remedy can transform daily life and home care routines.

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Coconut oil. You either love it or you hate it. The oil is a staple in many South Indian households and has slowly spread its way to all corners of the country. Yes, India is a country that cannot live without its coconuts. Besides its incredible properties as hair oil, coconut oil surprisingly has many benefits. The oil can not just be used for beauty treatment but has many other uses as well. So, let’s look at fifteen surprising things coconut oil can be used for. Here’s why the oil is a great addition to make to your household grocery list:
1. To Remove Pesky Labels
Don’t you hate it when you can’t scrub off labels on bottles no matter how much you try? Well, use a toothbrush coated in coconut oil and it’ll scrub off easy-peasy. Yes, as simple as that!
2. To Polish Kitchen Appliances
Coconut oil is a great polish if you want to keep your stainless steel appliances looking shiny and spotless. Coconut oil helps remove any signs of dullness that may be present on your metal wear and is a cheaper substitute to a store-bought polish.
3. To Clean And Restore Your Leather
Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and is great for renewing leather sofas. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that get to work and clean out your leather, making it look fresh and feel clean.
4. Preserve Wooden Cutting Boards
First, you start by disinfecting your wooden cutting board with vinegar and lemon. Then you swipe on a thick layer of coconut oil to give it a more moisturized and restored look. If you use coconut oil to maintain your wooden cutting board, it will naturally extend its lifespan.
5. To Repel Any Insects
Annoying mosquitoes and other insects can ruin your summer days. Mix the coconut oil with special essential oils that repel mosquitoes like tea tree oil or peppermint oil to create a natural insect repellent. This mixture can be dabbed on furniture outdoors or even sprayed through a small travel container.
6. Homemade Laundry Detergent
You can combine multiple ingredients like water, lye, and other essential oils to create your very own DIY non-toxic laundry detergent. It is great for cleaning your clothes and leaving them spotless. It works well for people who have sensitive skin and intense allergies.
7. It Can Prevent Tupperware Stains
You can swipe a thin layer of coconut oil inside a plastic food container to keep away any unsavory looking food stains that might be present. Don’t ever worry about storing leftover lasagna for later ever again.
8. As A DIY Deodorant
The most common deodorants that you find at drugstores contain aluminum that is dangerous for the body in the long run. A good way to avoid taking any risk is to make your own natural deodorant that will keep you just as fresh and clean. Mix equal parts baking soda and cornstarch. Add a few tablespoons of coconut oil that will let the mixture glide more smoothly.
9. To Prevent Dust
Take a small amount of coconut oil and apply it on plastic and wooden services around your home to prevent dust from building up. You can use this method to extend the time between the cleaning of hard-to-reach places like your ceiling fan.
10. Natural Mouthwash
Yes, you can use coconut oil as a natural mouthwash. If you’re a little weirded out by the idea, fret not, many would think the same. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that can help fight off any infections that might be present in our mouths. This can help prevent the process of tooth decay.
11. As A Calming Bath Melt
You can mix melted coconut oil with a calming essential oil like Peppermint, Lavender, or Eucalyptus and then freeze the solution in an ice cube. Once the solution has solidified you can dunk it in your bathtub or bucket of water for a relaxing bath.
12. As A Candle
Coconut oil is an excellent carrier oil as it is light and doesn’t have an extremely overpowering fragrance. It can enhance the scent of any essential oil you add in it. If you’re interested in some DIY aromatherapy you can look up ways to make candles online.
13. Keep Eggs Fresh
Eggs that have been hatched freshly and collected from the farm usually have a protective layer on top of them. Eggs that are bought at stores however do not have that protective layer so it is a good idea to coat the eggs in some coconut oil and store them in a cool, dry place. They can last for a longer period of time this way.
14. Make Soap
Yes, you can use coconut oil to make soap as well. There are many tutorials available online that can help you in your quest to make the perfect soap. You can whip up a nice batch of ultra-moisturizing, sweet-smelling soap.
15. To Get Rid Of Bird Poop
Coconut oil is a fast way to get rid of any gunk that might stick to your car throughout the course of the day. You can use coconut oil to scrub off anything that might be stuck to your car and is a bit too stubborn to remove by just water.
16. Erase Chalk Of Walls
If you have pesky kids or nieces and nephews who love going Picasso on your walls with the chalks, fret not. Coconut oil comes to your rescue and you can use it to clean off any chalk that might be sticking to your wall.
So there you have it, a list of fifteen random uses of coconut oil in and around your house. Do let us know if you’ve tried any trick on our list and if it convinced you to believe in the miraculous powers of coconut oil! Tell us all your thoughts in the comment section below.

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