Rare Uses Of Baby Oil You Probably Didn’t Know

Getting Paint Off Your Skin

Source: Jackson's Art SuppliesAnyone who's ever been lucky enough to have their own space knows the problem: when decorating, no matter how careful you are, you will have paint on you somewhere. If you're using a particularly stubborn kind, latex etc, use a few drops of baby oil on a cotton pad and it'll glide right off.

Scaring Off Head Lice

Source: Readers Digest CanadaPesky blighters. For a non-chemical option for treating the gross little creatures, saturate hair with oil, wrap in a towel to protect furniture/pillows and leave for at least 8 hours (or ideally over night.) Then, simply wash out the oil and the bugs should follow.

Removing Eye Makeup

Source: beautylishAnother budget, skin and eco friendly option, add a few drops of baby oil to a cotton pad and sweep over eye lids to remove even stubborn make up. An added bonus, even sensitive skin will be nourished and protected by this option. Nice one.

Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Source: Glamour UKSticking with the make-up theme, no one likes the job of cleaning brushes (in fact, Glamour 

reckons that 22% of us never have. Grim.) Breakouts, blending issues and even cold sores and conjunctivitis can all be caused or exacerbated by mucky brushes. Baby oil to the rescue. Pop a few drops on your hand or a plate, swirl the brush around, rinse and lie flat. Make sure to repeat every 8 weeks or so!

Bath Oil

Source: National TodayNo need for fancy concoctions in our baths. Simply mix baby oil with a few drops of your favourite essential oils and swirl into hot water, light some candles and voila! Please do be careful getting out though, it can be slippery! Maybe dry your hands before attempting it.

Extending the Life of your Razor

Source: raisingwhasiansRegardless of where or how often you shave, there's nothing quite like smooth skin. Even if you're still using disposables, you can still save pennies and the planet by soaking your razor in baby oil between shaves. Not only will this prevent rust, but it will also stop any remaining hair from dulling the blade.

Shaving Gel

Source: raisingwhasiansEspecially in the winter, dry shaving your legs can be an absolute killer. So, don't! Replace your usual shaving gel/foam/bar with baby oil and your dry skin will thank you for it. Smooth as you like, cost effective and deeply moisturising. What's not to love?

Shining your Golf Clubs

Source: WikiHowMuch cheaper than any bespoke cleaner (or a caddy to do it for you), baby oil is perfect for buffing up your golf clubs and getting a good shine on the links. Again, make sure you don't use too much. A couple of drops on a microfibre cloth will do the trick.

Keeping Warm

Source: iStockHard to remember the feeling as I sit writing this in 82 degree heat, but baby oil is perfect for protecting those parts of you which you can't practically cover in scarves and gloves. A thin film on your nose, ears and cheeks can help prevent frost-bite, wind burn or other winter nasties.

Polishing Wooden Furniture

Source: HomeditAs lovely as the smell of wood polish is, the aerosol nature of some of them isn't great for all of us. Also, let's save more money! Again, everything in moderation, a few drops on a microfibre cloth will do the trick. Get the elbows involved for a really good shine.

Detangling necklaces

Source: TodayPerhaps the most infuriating job when it comes to accessories, tangled necklaces are the worst. (Hands up, who's seriously considered getting the scissors out at times?) Help is here. Either dunk the mass of chains into a bowl of baby oil, or rub it on when your hands, then - carefully please - use an open safety pin to work out the knots.

Removing Bubblegum, Wax, or Bandaids

Source: babyccinokids.comIt's not just kids who get all the above stuck in unfortunate places! But it is probably them who complain the most about removing plasters. If you've got a stubborn plaster (on a stubborn kid), rather than spending hours soaking them in a bath, give baby oil a try. It breaks down the sticky bits and that sucker should slide right off.

Lube (not that kind - seriously, not that kind ok?)

Source: YouTubeBaby oil works a dream when you've run out of (or have lost in the depths of the garage/messy drawer) the trusty WD40. A couple of drops on the offending hinge and it'll close as quietly as you like. But while it's great for lubing up hinges, please, please do not use it in the bedroom. It's for external use only. Seriously. Don't try it!

Drawer Smoother

Source: Home Improvement Stack ExchangeThe same is true of stubborn drawers. Assuming it's not totally jammed shut, a couple of drops of baby oil in the runner should have it back to gliding open as new. If you've committed the cardinal kitchen sin of getting the potato masher stuck in there however, 'aint no amount of baby oil gonna help you.

Tattoo Removal

 (well, at least the temporary kind!)

Source: Temporary tattoo storeAnother use for the parents of bigger kids. The minute after you've caved and let them stick on that tattoo which boasts it'll last for weeks, they turn around and say they hate it. It can't just be me who's had that problem! You'll know the answer by now: BABY OIL! Cotton pad, plus a few drops and tantrum averted.

Making Kid-friendly Mosquito Repellent

Source: Bob VilaThere are a lot of products out there which claim to keep the little blood suckers at bay; most of them are aerosol based or full of chemical nasties. They're probably not something we want to be spraying all over our kids but equally we don't want them turned into a pin cushion. While baby oil can't claim to hold them at bay for as long as the chemical counterparts, but it'll do in a short-term emergency for sure!

Nail Painting Edger

Source: Indy100While most of us try and save up our dosh, hitting the nail bar is probably going to have to take a back seat for a bit. Here's a top tip for keeping the polish off the surrounding skin (so you don't have to do that oh-so-fiddly blot with the polish remover afterwards and smudge the whole thing.) Use a Q-Tip dipped in baby oil to draw around the edge of the nail, paint, allow to dry, then wipe off with a cotton pad. Ta dah, perfect nails.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

Source: Appliances DirectStainless steel might not stain but boy does it look soooo awful when it's not cleaned properly. Scuffy, dull, smudgy: not the Pinterest worthy look we're after. Again, whip out the baby oil and your microfibre cloth and get buffing in circles. Good as new in no time.

Mildew and Soap Scum Cleaner

Source: How to clean thingsBe honest now, anyone else's bathtub look a bit like this? Come on, this is a safe space! I wouldn't never have thought to try this, but I certainly will this weekend (I know how to live.) Soak a sponge in baby oil and give those areas of mildew or soap scum a good scrub, then rinse with warm water. It should also prevent future build up as well.

Leather Softener and Shiner

Source: Handbags, love to knowIf you have a slightly sad, scuffed looking leather handbag, shoes, briefcase, belt or jacket lying around, give it a new lease of life by polishing it with baby oil. This is not a long term solution as petroleum can, if used for long enough, damage the stitching or leather itself, but there's no reason you couldn't use it for a quick fix before walking into that job interview.

Colour Blending

Source: Jae JohnsA bit more niche maybe, but a good tip. If oil pastels or colouring pencils (love a mindfulness colouring book) are your jam, here's an idea to give you a sooth colour blend. When you'd finished, get out your Q-Tips again (admiring your perfect nails as you do so), dip it in baby oil and rub it along the parts you want to blend. Don't overdo it though, or you'll reck the paper.

Lubricating a Keyhole

Source: Bob VilaNo one wants to see this! You can easily prevent this however by popping a couple of drops of baby oil onto your sticking key before putting it in the lock and turning it a few times. Same yourself the trouble of being locked out/in and having to call out a locksmith.

Boosting your Body Cream

Source: Lifestyle Asia Hong KongIf you'd like your moisturiser to go that little bit further, why not add a few drops of baby oil to your favourite cream in your hand before you apply? It'll help absorption, make it glide on even easier and save you a few pennies. What's not to love?

Releasing a Stuck Zip

Source: Make your own jeansLet's hope the offending zip is on a jacket or coat rather than your favourite jeans, ey? A little less awkward all round. As with the cupboards, necklaces etc, the baby oil should lubricate that sucker enough to help it slide back the way it's meant to go.

Cleaning shower curtains

Source: Daily ExpressNow this is a good one! Not only will the baby oil remove offending soap sum, grime and any other unsavouries lurking on your shower curtain, it will also deter repeat offenders, allowing the water from your shower to glide off it with ease and stopping anything else from sticking.

Dust Busting

Source: servicesutraWhen dusting, especially wooden furniture (which seems to cling on all the more don't you think?), apply a small amount of baby oil to your favourite cloth (we know you have one) and wipe in a circular motion. Go over the area again with a second cloth for that insta-worthy look.

Massage Oil

Source: Holland and BarrettOk so this one is probably quite obvious, but with the global economy in the state it is, no money saving ideas should be ignored! Perfect for baby massage and adult, make sure you use it sparingly or you'll be incredibly slippery for a while. Oh, and make sure you warm it to room temperature first!