Baby oil is one of those household essentials I tend to take for granted. I always have a bottle around, and especially when it’s cold outside, it makes for a great lotion substitute that’s warming to the skin (slathering ice-cold lotion on in the winter is one of my least favorite things to do, so our family’s usage of baby oil goes up dramatically once the weather gets chilly. Because it contains mineral oil, it locks in moisture and leaves skin exceptionally soft. Once typically reserved for babies, it seems like it’s got a place in many adults’ post-shower routines.
But there’s much more to baby oil than meets the eye. In fact, this moisturizing treatment doubles as a household savior that has come in handy in my household at the most unexpected times.
[ One of baby oil’s many uses – easily remove price stickers and their residue]
I’ve used baby oil for everything from warding off mosquitoes to removing stubborn stickers. Check out the slideshow for baby oil’s genius uses. How many of these baby oil hacks do you already use in your home?
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10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do with Baby Oil
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Sticker Remover
You'll be "stuck" on this stuff when you see how miraculously it removes stubborn sticker adhesive. You know how it is: Stickers seem to turn up everywhere from the toilet seat to the side of your pots and pans to the washing machine. A quick fix? Dab the sticker with a little baby oil and gently wipe.
Image: Getty
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Gets Gum Out of Hair
Chewing gum stuck in a child's hair is one of those age-old conundrums that every parent seems to deal with at some point or another. Before you go reaching for the scissors, though, grab that bottle of baby oil. Rub, rub, rub it into the hair in question until the gum loosens.
Image: Getty
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Shower Curtain Mildew Remover
There's nothing enjoyable about cleaning a mildewy shower curtain. This shockingly easy trick works like a charm. Just apply baby oil to a paper towel and buff it into the curtain. Before you know it, those spots of mildew will be history. Bonus points for the extra shiny look your curtain will exhibit post-treatment!
Image: Getty
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Ouchless Bandage Remover
Ouch! Even adults can relate to the whole bandage removal countdown. Three...two...one...rip! But it's easy to nip that little sting in the bud with baby oil. Simply rub a cotton ball or cotton pad soaked in baby oil over the bandage and peel. The result is a painless method of bandage removal that little ones in particular will really appreciate.
Image: Getty
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Ring Removal Aid
There are so many reasons you might suddenly find yourself with a tight ring that just doesn't come off, no matter how much you tug. Whether you're pregnant or trying on an old piece that just no longer fits, you can find the solution in baby oil. Just massage oil on the finger and around the ring and slowly move it upward.
Image: Getty
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Mosquito Repellent
Forget being a fabulous moisturizer. Baby oil does even more for your skin than you thought possible; it also protects it from harmful insect bites. This is especially helpful during summer, when pesky bugs tend to have their way with your family's skin and leave everyone covered in unsightly red spots. Rub some baby oil on skin and mosquitoes may steer clear of you at all costs.
Image: Getty
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Makeup Remover
It's not just for baby's skin. When you're dealing with stubborn eye makeup, swipe a cotton pad soaked with baby oil over your eyelids. It will easily remove your makeup and leave your skin especially soft, too. Since the eye area is so delicate, a gentle product is always welcome.
Image: Getty
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Stainless Steel Polish
Who actually has time to use a polishing product on everything that needs a little shine touchup? Try baby oil instead. It's perfect for delivering a high-shine finish to chrome (think bathroom faucets) and stainless steel (kitchen appliances and sinks). Since baby oil doesn't actually effectively clean, be sure to wipe with a damp cloth first and then follow with a rag soaked in the oil.
Image: Getty
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Fixes Stubborn Zippers
We all know the frustration involved with trying to get a stuck zipper...well, unstuck. Grab a bottle of baby oil and apply just a bit to the stuck area. Gently nudge the zipper in the right direction and---voila, a working zipper!
Image: Getty
