FACE WASH: 2-3 drops on wet hands, applied to wet face.

BODY WASH: One small squirt on a wet washcloth, applied to a wet body.

HAIR: 1⁄2 Tbsp. in your hand, worked into wet hair

BATH: roughly 2 Tbsp. soap in an average sized tub. (Doesn’t bubble, but still cleans)

SHAVING: Face – 10 drops; Underarms – 3 drops; Legs – 1⁄2 tsp; Work to a lather in wet hands

TEETH: 1 drop on a toothbrush. (Yes, it tastes like soap.)

FOOT BATH: 11⁄2 tsp. in a small tub of hot water.

CLEARING CONGESTION: 1 Tbsp. in a bowl of steamy hot water. Breathe the mist HOUSEHOLD USES:

DISHES (HANDWASHING): Pre-dilute 1:10 with water. Squirt on a scrub brush and scrub dishes.

LAUNDRY: 1/3 – 1/2 c. of soap for a large load in a normal washer. Add 1⁄2 c. vinegar to the rinse cycle.

MOPPING: 1⁄2 c. of soap in 3 gallons of hot water

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANING: 1⁄4 c. soap in a quart of water in a spray bottle.

FRUIT & VEGGIE RINSE: 1 dash (approx.. 1⁄4 tsp.) in a bowl of water. Dunk produce and rinse in clear water.

PLANT SPRAY FOR BUGS: 1 Tbsp. in a quart of water. Add 1⁄2 tsp. cayenne pepper or cinnamon, if desired.

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Food Preparation

• Marinate Meat
• Boiling Eggs
• Make the Most of Condiments
• Make a Fruit and Vegetable Wash
• Keep Your Cheese Fresh Longer

Health Benefits

• Use Vinegar for a Sore Throat
• Whiten your Teeth
• Soften Your Skin
• Eliminate Dandruff
• Fight to Foot and Toenail Fungus
• Rinse Your Hair
• Treat Insect Bites and Stings

In the Garden

• Repel Spiders from Patio or Certain Outdoor Areas
• Perk Up Droopy Flowers

Cleaning

• Oven Cleaning with Vinegar
• Clean and Disinfect the Refrigerator
• Remove Tea and Coffee Stains
• Eliminate Odors and Stains
• Clean the Bathroom
• Clean the Toilet
• Remove Antiperspirant Stains
• Spot Clean the Carpet – Vinegar the Perfect Carpet Cleaner
• Vinegar The Invisible Laundry Helper – Say Goodbye to Static Cling
• Use Vinegar to Unshrink Wool and Cashmere
• Get Stains and Odors Out of Gym and Baby Clothes
• Keep Your Car Windows Frost-Free
• Easy Method for a Clean Microwave
• Remove Gum
• White Vinegar Uses: Removing Stickers, Price Tags, and Glue
• Remove Candle Wax
• Erase Crayon from Walls and Floor
• Neutralize Odors on Fabrics, Carpets, and Furniture
• Clean a Mattress or Upholstery
• Clear Clogged Drains
• Clean your Steam Iron
• Clean your Computer
• Remove Ink Marks
• Best Window Cleaner Ever
• Leather Cleaner
• Get Rid of Smoke and Food Odors
• Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
• All-Purpose Kitchen Degreaser
• Deodorize Lunch Boxes and Plastic Containers
• Clean a Thermos or Water Bottle
• Disinfect your Cutting Boards

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1. Accelerant

Petroleum jelly is great to help start a fire. Many survivalists and campers will dip cotton balls in petroleum jelly and keep them in a zipper bag. In the military, gauze pads are often rubbed with petroleum jelly so they can double as a fire starter and as a treatment for wounds. In reality, Vaseline can be added to any fluffy tinder to create a fire-starter. Some people like to add it to dryer lint, and stuff it into a toilet paper roll.

2. DIY Vaseline Candles

You can also make a candle out of Vaseline. Simply spoon a big glob of jelly into a small dish or ash tray. Take a cotton ball and twist it into a wick. Rub a little jelly on it and stick the end in the dish. Light the tip of the wick and it should stay lit until all the petroleum jelly has all burned away.

3. Skin Protection

Use it to protect against frostbite. Smear a moderate layer over exposed skin. It works for chapped lips in place of Chapstick.

4. Lubricant for Machinery

This is the advertised purpose for petroleum jelly. Vaseline works great to silence squeaky hinges on a door. It works to lubricate a bicycle chain if you have no grease. You can lubricate any wheels that have ball bearings, and can grease keyholes so that keys continue to work smoothly. Vaseline can be applied to light bulb sockets or to appliance racks in refrigerators or ovens to prevent sticking. It helps shower curtains and closet doors slide more easily. Petroleum jelly keeps windows sliding smoothly. It prevents zippers on clothing from jamming up. It also prevents corrosion on batteries.

5. First Aid

Petroleum jelly holds moisture into the skin while also protecting from the harsh elements that can dry out the skin. It also helps stitched wounds heal faster. If dealing with chapped or dry hands, apply Vaseline to the affected area and then put on gloves for 20 minutes. It protects minor scrapes, burns, and cuts, but do not use it on severe burns as it can cause infection. It can be applied to any dry skin including dry, cracked heels. Petroleum jelly is also great for skin irritation. It can be used to treat and prevent diaper rash for babies. It works well to prevent chaffing on long hikes, and can help prevent blisters on your feet.

6. Insect Control

On hard surfaces, Vaseline can keep crawling insects like ants away. This is ideal to avoid insects in your pet food or food storage. You can also apply petroleum jelly to a piece of paper for makeshift fly paper. As flies land on the paper, they will get stuck and die.

7. Lubricate Candle Holders

As candle wax melts and runs down the sides of the candle, it cakes around the candle holder. This makes it tough to remove the candle without breaking it and making a mess. If you first apply Vaseline to the candle holder, it will easily slide out when it is time to swap out for a new one.

8. Restore Leather

There are plenty of leather protections products and conditioners that can be used, but they really are not needed. Just a dab of petroleum jelly will restore cracking, rough leather to a soft sheen.

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What Is Rubbing Alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol consists of isopropyl alcohol or isopropanol in water. It contains denatured alcohol, water, and agents that make it taste awful. That’s because ingesting rubbing alcohol can cause blindness in tiny doses and even death in slightly large amounts. In fact, the body metabolizes isopropyl alcohol it into acetone. This substance causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, central nervous system depression, organ damage and, potentially, coma or death. Hence, it goes without saying that isopropyl alcohol should never be swallowed and should never come into contact with your eyes. Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so it should always be stored safely.

Why You Should Always Have Alcohol At Home

Rubbing alcohol is first and foremost a disinfecting agent. It’s most often found in first aid kits to treat minor wounds and prevent infection. Actually, it’s a great first resort when a mild infection starts to set in. But alcohol should be taken out of the first aid kit once in a while since it has countless other uses. Make sure to purchase 70% isopropyl alcohol to make all of the remedies below.

1. Bed Bugs

Bedbugs can be killed by regularly cleaning your sheets, mattress, headboard, and the area around your bed. In extreme cases, a fullscale extermination may be necessary. To wipe them out naturally:

• 1. Mix rubbing alcohol and water in a 1-1 ratio into a spray bottle.
• 2. Spray a light mist on your mattress and pillows, allow to dry, and vacuum. Wash your bedding in hot water and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
• 3. Use the mixture to wipe down your bed frame, headboard, baseboards, and surrounding furniture.
• 4. Open your window to air out the room before going to sleep.

2. Skin Cleanser

Rubbing alcohol fights inflammation and bacteria to prevent acne. It also soothes and heals infected pimples. Do not use regularly, or it will dry out your skin. To use:

• Soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol.
• Dab it on the affected area gently and leave for 10 minutes
• Rinse the affected area with lukewarm water.
• Do this twice daily for a couple of days only.

3. Cold Sores Treatment

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. While the virus doesn’t fully go away, different things can trigger a cold sore. In fact, can take up to two weeks for a sore to fully heal. Speed along the process by applying rubbing alcohol to the sore using a q-tip or cotton ball up to twice a day until it heals.

4. Deodorant Replacement

To kill the bacteria that cause body odor, dab a bit of rubbing alcohol under your armpits using a cotton ball. Be careful not to use this trick too often to avoid skin irritation.

5. Cold Pack

Make your own flexible ice pack by mixing water and alcohol in 2:1 ratio. Pour the mixture into a freezer ziplock bag, seal, and place in the freezer for at least an hour.

6. Clean Your Ears

Q-tip may be branded as a great tool for cleaning your ears, but they actually push wax deeper into the ear canal. Instead, use equal parts rubbing alcohol and white vinegar and place a few drops into your right ear as you lay down on your left. Let it soften your wax for up to two minutes before covering your right ear with a tissue and laying down on that side to let the wax slide out. Repeat on the other side. Do not repeat more than once a week to avoid drying out your ear canal.

7. Destroy Lice

While there are many over-the-counter lice solutions, they contain harsh chemicals that can harm your child’s tender scalp. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a safe and cheap alternative that dries out the protective layer of the lice and their eggs. How to use:

• Do not wash your hair in the days before your treatment.
• Place your head over the bathtub and pour rubbing alcohol over your head, making sure to keep it away from your eyes, mouth, and nose.
• Using your fingers, spread the rubbing alcohol around your scalp and throughout your hair.
• Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Use a nit comb to brush out all the lice.
• Finish by shampooing your hair.
• Use this treatment once a week for a couple of months.

8. Hand Sanitizer

Make your own hand sanitizer by mixing 1/2 tablespoon of isopropyl alcohol, several drops of tea tree oil, and 1/2 cup of Aloe Vera gel.

9. Kill Ticks

To remove ticks from your family pet, saturate a cotton ball with alcohol and dab the tick using the ball. Wait a few minutes for it to loosen its grip. Grab the tick close to your pet’s skin and pull it right out. Apply a bit of alcohol to the wound to prevent infection. Repeat for all visible ticks. Follow up by washing your pet to make sure he doesn’t accidentally ingest the alcohol.

10. Fight Fruit Flies

If you see fruit flies flying around your home, spray them while they’re flying with an alcohol and water mixture. They’ll fall to the floor, where you can sweep them right up.

11. Bathroom Cleaner

You can use alcohol to wipe clean chrome fixtures and let them dry: no need to rinse it off!

12. Clean Ink Stains

Alcohol works like a charm to remove ink stain, especially on white carpets and linens.

• First, blot the wet ink with a paper towel.
• Then, apply rubbing alcohol on the stain.
• Repeatedly dab a clean rag over it until the stain comes out. You can keep changing the rag when it starts to pick up the ink to avoid re-staining on your clothing.
• Finally, rinse the clothing with cold water to remove the rubbing alcohol before putting it in the laundry.
• For a carpet stain, use a mixture of 2 parts liquid dish soap and 1 part rubbing alcohol.

13. Prevent Sweat Stains

To prevent sweat stains, wipe some rubbing alcohol on your armpits and neck before dressing. You can also apply alcohol to stained clothing using the same technique as the ink treatment above.

14. Dissolve Windshield Frost

To prevent frost:

• Wash your windows with a solution of 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol to 1 quart (1 liter) water to prevent the frost.
• Polish the windows with newspaper after you wash them to make them shine.

To remove frost:

• Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spritz the car glass.
• Wipe the frost right off and start the car.

15. Kill Nail Fungus

Since rubbing alcohol kills fungus too, it’s a safe way to treat an infection before it develops into athlete’s foot.

• Mix equal amounts of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.
• Soak a thick pad of cotton in the solution and place it over the infected toenail.
• Wrap it with a small bandage or tape to keep the cotton pad in place.
• Allow it to sit for about 30 to 45 minutes.
• Finish by gently scrubbing the toenail with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then rinse the area.
• Use this remedy once daily for several days.

16. Soothe Mosquito Bites

To relieve the itching and swelling of mosquito bites, look no further than your first aid kit! Being a natural antiseptic agent, rubbing alcohol also reduces the chance of developing an infection.

• Apply some rubbing alcohol directly onto the affected site.
• Massage the area gently for 1 minute.
• Wait 10 minutes, then rinse off the area with cool water.
• Finish by applying some fresh aloe vera gel.
• Repeat as needed.

17. Fight Foot Odor

To fight stinky feet, spray the soles of your shoes with rubbing alcohol mixed with a few drops of lavender essential oil.

18. DIY Air Freshener

Swap out the toxic Febreze with your own mix of 1 cup rubbing alcohol with 10-15 drops of essential oil. Spray in a well-ventilated area.

19. Treat Poison Ivy

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause a non-contagious itchy rash upon contact (9). Isopropyl alcohol will provide instant relief thanks to its soothing and cooling properties.

• Saturate a paper towel with rubbing alcohol.
• Use it to gently wipe the affected area.
• When the area is completely dry, wash it with soap and warm water.
• Do this several times a day for 2 to 3 days.

20. Soothe Muscle Aches

Rubbing alcohol soothes sore muscles and joints. While it isn’t a long-term solution, it’s great for short-term relief.

• Apply some rubbing alcohol on your aching muscles.
• Massage gently in circular motions for 10 minutes.
• Wrap the area with a warm cloth for at least 30 minutes.
• Repeat 2 or 3 times a day.

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Protect Your Skin From UV Rays: When applied to your skin, coconut oil may protect it from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, keep in mind that it doesn’t provide the same protection as conventional sunscreen, which blocks about 90% of UV rays.

Increase Your Metabolism: Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These are fatty acids that are quickly absorbed and can increase the number of calories you burn. One study found that 15–30 grams of MCTs increased the number of calories burned by an average of 120 over a 24-hour period.

Cook Safely at High Temperatures: Coconut oil has a very high saturated fat content. This makes it one of the best fats for high-heat cooking, including frying. Saturated fats retain their structure when heated to high temperatures, unlike the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in vegetable oils. Oils such as corn and safflower are converted into toxic compounds when heated. These may have harmful effects on health.

Improve Your Dental Health: Coconut oil can be a powerful weapon against bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria in your mouth that causes dental plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. In one study, swishing with coconut oil for 10 minutes reduced these bacteria as effectively as rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.

Relieve Skin Irritation and Eczema: Research shows that coconut oil improves dermatitis and other skin disorders.

Improve Brain Function: The MCTs in coconut oil are broken down by your liver and turned into ketones, which can act as an alternative energy source for your brain. Several studies have found MCTs to have impressive benefits for brain disorders, including epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.

Moisturize Your Skin: Coconut oil makes a wonderful moisturizer for your legs, arms, and elbows. It can also help repair cracked heels. Simply apply a thin coat to your heels at bedtime, put on socks, and continue on a nightly basis until your heels are smooth.

May Help Fight Infections: Virgin coconut oil has antibacterial properties that can help treat infections. One study found that it stopped the growth of the intestinal bacteria Clostridium difficile, commonly known as C. diff, which causes severe diarrhea. It also appears to fight yeasts.

Increase Your ‘Good’ HDL Cholesterol: Coconut oil has been shown to raise cholesterol levels in some people.

Make Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate: Homemade dark chocolate is a delicious way to get coconut oil’s health benefits. It’s easy to find a recipe online and get started. To keep things healthy, look for sugar-free ideas.

May Reduce Belly Fat: Coconut oil may help reduce belly fat — also known as visceral fat — which is linked to increased health risks, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Decrease Hunger and Food Intake: The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil may help reduce hunger, leading to a spontaneous decrease in calorie intake.

Improve Wound Healing: One study found that rats whose wounds were treated with coconut oil had a reduction in inflammatory markers and increased production of collagen, a major component of skin. As a result, their wounds healed much faster. To speed healing of minor cuts or scrapes, apply a little bit of coconut oil directly to the wound and cover it with a bandage.

Boost Bone Health: Animal research suggests that the antioxidants in virgin coconut oil may protect bone health by neutralizing free radicals, which can damage bone cells.

Make a Nontoxic Insect Repellent: Some essential oils may be a natural way to keep bugs away and avoid bites and stings. However, rather than applying these oils directly to your skin, they need to be combined with a carrier oil.

Reduce Inflammation: Several animal studies show that eating coconut oil provides strong anti-inflammatory effects. Human studies suggest that eating coconut oil may reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Quick Energy Source: Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglyceride fatty acids, which are digested differently than the long-chain triglycerides found in most foods. These fats go directly from your gut to your liver, where they can be used as a quick source of energy that won’t raise blood sugar levels.

Relieve Symptoms of Arthritis: Arthritis is characterized by pain and immobility of the joints due to inflammation. Animal research suggests that antioxidants called polyphenols found in coconut oil may be able to relieve some symptoms of arthritis.

Improve Liver Health: Animal research has found that the saturated fats in coconut oil can help protect your liver from damage due to alcohol or toxin exposure.

Soothe Chapped Lips: Coconut oil makes an ideal natural lip balm. It glides on smoothly, leaves your lips moist for hours, and even provides someprotection from the sun.

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