Here’s Why You Should
Keep a Jar of
Vaseline in Your Coat Closet
Applying petroleum jelly and buffing it with a cloth or cotton pad will shine your shoes in no time.
1. Unscuff Your Shoes
When you’ve finished painting, wipe away the gel with a wet rag: No scraping required!
2. Protect Surfaces While Painting
Rub both the top and underside of the zipper’s track with a thin layer of Vaseline, and give the zipper a tug.
4. Loosen a Stuck Zipper
5. Prevent Buildup on Shovel Blades
Cotton balls are highly flammable, especially when soaked in petroleum jelly, aka Vaseline.
6. Create a DIY Fire Starter
Rub Vaseline onto the dry blades and edges between uses. The protective coating of gel wards off rust and decay.
8. Fight Rust on Tools
This trick works on shower curtains, too!
10. Help Curtains Glide on Their Rods
More on
Get the Newsletter
Sign up to receive the best tips and tricks, the latest news and giveaways, and the most inspiring home improvement ideas from Bob Vila, America's Handyman since 1979.