For over a century, petroleum jelly has become widely available. Very economical and well-tolerated by all skin types, with its gelatinous consistency, it is renowned for its formidable moisturizing, lubricating, and nourishing properties. Although it is a petroleum derivative, this fatty substance is completely harmless and very low in allergens. From a cosmetic point of view, petroleum jelly is particularly suitable for protecting the skin from drying out and various irritations. Extremely versatile, thanks to its paraffins, it can be applied to any area of the body: whether to treat the slightest boo-boo like chapped lips, to perfect makeup, to increase hair shine, to prevent wrinkles or to treat scars.
But its incredible potential isn’t limited to beauty treatments. Vaseline is multi-tasking and can even work wonders in your garden. It may seem unusual, but it’s in high demand for protecting your plants and keeping pests away.
Here are a myriad of unexpected uses for that yellowish pot in the garden. These 10 uses for petroleum jelly will change your life!
Also read: Salt and bay leaves are worth their weight in gold at home: here are the many brilliant uses
Vaseline to protect the garden from insects
Garden pests are insects (aphids, mealybugs, spiders, fleas, etc.) that spend their time hovering around plants. They climb the stems or trunks of shrubs and disrupt their growth. Vaseline is also very effective in protecting your crop: lightly coat the stem or trunk, being careful not to let it fall on the leaves. It will act as a repellent against all these pests. Repeat this process every 3 or 4 days.
Vaseline to repel squirrels
How to keep squirrels away from bird feeders? It’s easy: simply cover the feeder post with petroleum jelly. This will create a slippery surface that will keep squirrels out. Don’t worry, its consistency isn’t toxic to squirrels. It will only prevent them from stealing the birds’ food.
Vaseline to treat insect bites
Vaseline1
When caring for your plants in the garden, you may occasionally be accidentally bitten by a mosquito, wasp, or other insect. Vaseline will provide immediate relief: by covering the sting areas with a light layer, you will no longer feel the pain.
Vaseline to protect gardening tools
How can you protect your gardening tools from unsightly rust? Simply apply a little petroleum jelly to the blades and metal parts of your tools after use. This will protect them from any risk of corrosion.
Vaseline to make artificial plants shine
Do you have artificial plants that attract too much dust? Don’t worry, you can restore their original shine by spreading a little petroleum jelly on the leaves. Nothing better for them than having their foliage dazzling again! However, don’t use this trick on your real plants in the garden, as petroleum jelly can cause them to rot quickly.
Vaseline to take care of your hands
Are you passionate about gardening? That’s very honorable. But when working the land, it’s important to take care of your hands so they don’t become too rough. To nourish them and provide them with sufficient moisture, washing them isn’t enough. It’s better to spread a little petroleum jelly on them to soften and moisturize them, especially if your skin is very dry.
Vaseline to eliminate whiteflies
whiteflies
Vaseline can also be used to make a sticky trap for flying insects that wreak havoc in the garden, such as whiteflies. These are a species of white aphid, better known as the “whitefly.” To effectively get rid of these insects, take a yellow cup or glass and cover it with petroleum jelly. This will act as a sticky substance. Place the cup upside down on a stick to support it. Note that you can also replace the cup with yellow cardboard and attach it to the stick. Why yellow? Simply because this color strongly attracts whiteflies. It’s the smartest way to trap them!
Vaseline to repair squeaky windows
Do your doors and windows tend to creak? Yes, it’s still very annoying and the noise is unbearable! Here’s the perfect tip: apply a layer of Vaseline to the zipper parts. And suddenly, thanks to the lubrication of this cream, no more creaking!
Vaseline to keep ants away
Ants arrive in droves, especially in warm weather. Both inside and outside the home. They are also among the pests that often invade plants. To repel them, simply apply petroleum jelly around plants and pots. The thick, sticky consistency of the product will immediately act as a perfect ant repellent!
Vaseline to repel slugs and slugs
snail
Snails and slugs are also garden pests. They also like to hang out among plants. How can you keep them away from your garden? Here’s a simple technique: mix Vaseline with a little salt and place the mixture near your plants. It’s important to know that these little creatures hate crawling on slimy surfaces, so this is the best way to scare them away.
Also read: 5 Uses for Fireplace Ashes for Your Home and Garden
Another tip: to repel these gastropods, create a small barrier using eggshells. Roughly crush them and spread them around your plants. It’s radical!
As you will have understood, a pot of Vaseline is very useful on a daily basis: not only does it moisturize and nourish your skin, but it also effectively protects your garden from all kinds of nuisances!