American pharmacist Lunsford Richardson invented VapoRub in 1894 and the formula proved to be so good, it’s still the same to this day. Since it has been on the market for over 100 years, users have found various ways in which VapoRub can be used in everyday life, besides just easing the common cough and cold. Keep reading if you want to discover 35 clever ways to use this magic balm.
Insect Repellent
Next time you plan on going camping in the forest, make sure you have some VapoRub with you. The product makes a great insect repellent. Apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to your skin and clothing and the mosquitoes will be more likely to stay away from you. The balm’s strong scent repels those annoying bugs so you can relax when you’re out in nature. VapoRub also works to relieve the discomfort of insect bites if you’ve already fallen prey to hungry mosquitos. Apply the product on your mosquito bites to relieve the itchiness.
Fix Squeaky Doors
There’s nothing more annoying than the noise a squeaky door makes. Luckily, some VapoRub can fix this issue in under a minute. In order to get rid of the annoying squeaky noise, just rub some VapoRub on the hinges of the door. This is a non-toxic and quick solution as well as an excellent substitute for oiling your door hinges. If you ran out of grease and don’t feel like making a trip to the hardware store, grab a tub of VapoRub and get to work on those squeaky hinges.
Relieve Earaches
Discomfort inside and around the ear can be caused by various health problems. Vicks VapoRub can be used as an effective treatment for earache and wax buildup. Putting some balm on a cotton ball and leaving it in your ear overnight can help relieve the pain. Repeating this process several times a day can help ease the discomfort, and VapoRub can also help you clear up a possible ear infection. However, if the pain persists, you should see a doctor instead.
Makeup Remover
If you are running out of your favorite makeup remover, don’t panic – if you have VapoRub in your vanity, you can use it to clean the day’s makeup right off your face. This is a quick and easy method for removing makeup without spending too much money on expensive removers. You should be gentle while rubbing the makeup off your eyelids and make sure not to get any of the balm in your eyes or lashes, as it may be irritating.
Horse Riding
Riding a horse during the mating season can be very tricky since male horses can be distracted by the scent of another female horse nearby. During this period of time, it is likely that your horse will not listen to your commands, even if you give him his favorite treats. In order to keep your horse focused, just rub some VapoRub cream underneath his nose. The menthol will mask the scent of any female horse nearby, and allow you to enjoy your ride without the horse being disobedient.
Save Your Furniture
Cats like sharpening their claws on hard surfaces and they can often destroy your furniture in the process. Apply a small amount of VapoRub to doors, walls or furniture to add a protective layer to the material. Cats will be repelled by the strong scent of menthol, and they will start avoiding those areas. Thanks to VapoRub, you can leave your cat alone in the house without worrying about your favorite armchair getting completely destroyed. You can also apply the balm on your legs or arms if your cat is prone to scratching you.
Take a Refreshing Shower
For the ultimate home spa experience, try VapoRub’s shower discs. They release therapeutic aromas in the shower which can relax and energize your body. Place a disc at the bottom of your shower to get the best results. As the hot water hits the disc, the essential oils will release and spread the refreshing scent throughout your bathroom. The disks can also help clear congestion and loosen up the tension in your head when you have a cold. Overall, the VapoRub discs will enhance the relaxing experience of taking a shower.
Healing Wounds
A bottle of VapoRub can also speed up healing processes. If you ever cut your hand or end up with a splinter, just apply some cream on the wound. It will help your body heal faster without any side effects. If you are running out of Neosporin or similar substances, that won’t be a problem as long as you have Vicks VapoRub at home. It will not only help your cuts heal faster, but it will also prevent any fungal infections and protect your skin from germs.
Healing Wounds[/caption]
Aromatherapy
If you love the smell of menthol, you can add some VapoRub to an air freshener or an air diffuser to spread the scent around the house. This is a great way to clear congestion if you are sick and do not want to rub the cream onto your skin. Using VapoRub as a therapeutic aroma is a great alternative for people with sensitive skin who get rashes easily. Even if you’re not sick and you just want a relaxing scent around the house, VapoRub can freshen up your room in no time!
Relieve Sore Muscles
One of the most common uses of Vicks VapoRub is to ease muscle pain. The product helps increase circulation and gives almost instant relief. VapoRub can help reduce soreness, as long as you apply a large amount to the painful area and rub it in for at least 5-10 minutes. The balm will provide a soothing and cooling sensation in the sore area and thus help you feel less tense and more refreshed. Thanks to these properties, VapoRub is very useful for runners and athletes in general.
Soothe Sunburns
We all know how sunburns can feel unbearable at times. Being as red as a lobster is not an ideal look for summer. Vicks VapoRub happens to be a great solution for relieving the discomfort of sunburned areas on your skin and helping them heal faster. Applying the balm on your red areas can help relieve pain, burning and itchiness. Next time you plan on sunbathing in your backyard or taking a beach vacation, do not forget to pack some VapoRub along with your other essentials.
Treat a Dry Scalp
Having a dry scalp can cause itchiness as well as a flurry of unattractive white flakes on your shoulders. You can treat this condition with a bit of Vicks VapoRub – the perfect home remedy for dry scalp. Apply the balm to the dry areas of your scalp before bed or after taking a shower. The eucalyptus oil combined with other ingredients in the balm will help moisturize the scalp and get rid of the unwanted dryness.
Banish Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus can be very unpleasant and VapoRub can be a good alternative treatment. If you suspect you have fungus, just rub this product on your nails and the skin around them. In a few days, you will see a significant improvement in the appearance of your feet. Due to the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of thymol, one of the product’s ingredients, the balm can efficiently treat fungal infections and allow your nails to grow healthy again. Keep applying the product for a period of two weeks to get best results.
Heal Bruises
If you have a fresh bruise and want to speed up the healing process, try applying Vicks VapoRub on the affected area. The balm will help reduce swelling and heal the wound underneath. VapoRub can come in handy if you find yourself getting injured often, or if you have active children who are prone to coming home with bruises. Make sure to store an extra tub of VapoRub in the back of your bathroom cabinet just in case you need to fix up a bruise one day.
Smooth Chapped Lips
Chapped lips look really unattractive and they can hardly be masked with lipstick. If you often feel that your lips are dry and chapped, apply a small amount of VapoRub to get softer and fuller lips. Menthol is one of the main ingredients in the product, and it serves as a natural lip plumper. Applying VapoRub on a fever blister can also help it heal faster and ease the pain.
Fix Cracked Heels
The skin on the heels is prone to dryness, especially during the winter period. Not moisturizing the skin properly can lead to cracked heels, which can be very painful. VapoRub can alleviate the dryness and bring your feet back to their natural, healthy state. After applying the product onto your feet, put on socks to let it absorb and prevent it from getting all over your floor if you’re walking around. Vicks VapoRub contains petroleum jelly, which helps lock the moisture in your skin. In order to prevent future dryness, you might also consider moisturizing your heels regularly with VapoRub.
Burn Belly Fat
Burning extra belly fat has never been easier. VapoRub can help you reduce fat and cellulite in both the belly and thigh area. All you have to do is create a slimming cream at home using VapoRub as one of the main ingredients. To do so, you are going to need VapoRub, baking soda, rubbing alcohol and camphor powder. Mix the ingredients together and apply the DIY cream on the desired area. Cover it with plastic wrap to let it absorb and get the full effect. You can repeat the process a few days in a row, but be careful since too much menthol can cause skin irritation.
Facial Moisturizer
Dry skin on the face can be the result of various factors, including hot water, winter weather, harsh soaps, etc. Vicks VapoRub can serve as an efficient facial moisturizer to solve this issue. Applying the product on your face can help moisturize the dry patches and leave your skin looking smooth and flawless. With its healthy ingredients, VapoRub can help restore moisture to dry skin. It will also keep the moisture locked in for a long period of time, so you don’t have to worry if you run out of face cream any time soon.
Goodbye Itchiness
Itchy skin is an incredibly uncomfortable sensation that makes you scratch all the time, which only makes the situation worse. There are many factors that can cause itchiness, including dry skin, a bug bite, or an untreated skin condition. You can use VapoRub to relieve itchiness in the affected areas. The eucalyptus oil in VapoRub can help the skin heal and serves as a protective layer. If VapoRub does not succeed in soothing your itch, it would be a good idea to see a doctor since persistent itching can be a sign of a health condition that needs to be treated medically.
Stop Infections
Open wounds can easily get infected if you do not treat them properly. You have to make sure to disinfect the area even if it is a small cut or even a burn. Applying VapoRub around the open wound can help you disinfect it properly. The petroleum jelly in the balm helps seal in the disinfecting ingredients to heal cuts and burns in a short period of time. After applying the balm on the affected area, you will feel a cooling sensation which will instantly soothe the pain.
Lipstick Remover
Some lipsticks can be really difficult to remove. Even some of the most expensive makeup removers may not work on long-lasting lipsticks. VapoRub comes to the rescue – apply a thin layer of the balm on your stained lips and wait for approximately five minutes. After that, just use a cotton ball or tissue to wipe it off. VapoRub will help you remove lipstick completely without leaving any stains or residue. Moreover, it will keep your lips soft and moisturized throughout the day.
Relieve Tennis Elbow
You do not have to be a tennis superstar to get tennis elbow – it happens even to casual players. VapoRub can be used as an analgesic to temporarily relieve aching muscles and joints. If you are suffering from tennis elbow, just rub the cream on the painful spot to relieve any discomfort. Repeat the process a few times a day until the elbow stops aching. Menthol and camphor, the two powerful ingredients in Vicks VapoRub, will help ease the pain as efficiently as possible.
Another Way to Banish Coughs
As we’ve mentioned, one of the most common uses for Vicks VapoRub is to help relieve chest congestion and cough. However, there is another interesting way to do this. Some people swear by the fact that if you apply some Vick’s VapoRub to your feet before you go to bed it will help you shake off a cough. To make sure that you don’t get Vicks all over your blankets and sheets, though, don’t forget to throw on a pair of socks once you apply it!
Create a Candle
If you want a nice candle for your bedside, you can put your jar of Vick’s VapoRub to use her as well! All you need is a rolled-up piece of cotton and a small jar of Vick’s. First, cover the cotton in Vick’s VapoRub. Now, cut a hole in the lid that you can fit the cotton through and close the cover. Once you light it, the cotton will burn and have the same soothing scent of Vick’s VapoRub.
Clean and Polish Your Shoes
When you first purchase new shoes, they’re shiny and impeccable. After wearing them a few times, though, you’ll notice this luster starts to fade as dirt accumulates on them. If you want your shoes to look as good as new, grab a jar of Vick’s VapoRub! Put a little bit on a spare toothbrush and start to scrub away. Not only will this help remove any grime from your shoes, but it will also add a polished appearance thanks to the oils in the rub.
Grow Out Your Hair
If you struggle to grow hair, you aren’t completely out of luck. There are plenty of products on the market that are meant to promote hair growth but all you might need is a jar of Vick’s VapoRub. All you have to do is take a little bit and apply it to your scalp. This works for a couple of reasons. First, it stimulates blood flow in your scalp. It also works to kill any bacteria you might have on your scalp.
Treating Cold Sores
Cold sores and fever blisters are pesky and painful problems. Even worse, they can be triggered by stress, making your week even worse. The good news is that relief is close at hand. When you notice that you have sores or blisters on your lip, try putting some Vick’s VapoRub on it! This works because Vick’s VapoRub has ingredients like eucalyptus oil in it. This is the same reason the VapoRub works well as an antiseptic too.
Tick Removal
When you go camping or even if you’re just enjoying a few hours outside in the summer, you open yourself up to the risk of tick bites. If not treated properly, this can become a huge problem. Getting a tick off is a challenge in and of itself. Luckily, you can rely on Vick’s VapoRub to help you. Once you realize you’ve been bitten, apply Vick’s VapoRub to the area. The strong scent is likely to get the tick to release.
Arthritis Relief
Just like Vick’s VapoRub is great for relieving sore muscles, it’s also a great tool to turn to if you’re suffering from arthritis pain. If you find your joints starting to hurt, don’t hesitate to apply Vick’s VapoRub to the affected area to find relief. In fact, you can apply Vick’s VapoRub to the places where your joints hurt up to three or four times a day for continuous pain relief. This will reduce the pain that comes with arthritis.
Loosen Old Locks
Have you ever tried to open an old or dirty lock only for your key to catch inside? This can be caused by debris within the lock. This can be a challenge to clean, though. After all, it’s a small area that’s hard to get into. Actually, you can clean it with your key. Just liberally apply Vick’s VapoRub onto the key before putting it in the lock. When you use it, you should be able to open the lock easily.
Enhance Your Humidifier
If you use a humidifier to help keep your breathing easy at night, you can add Vicks VapoRub to help keep your lungs clear. Some humidifiers or vaporizers will let you add items like aromatherapy components to the tank. That being said, you have to make sure that your humidifier has an aromatherapy compartment to put Vick’s VapoRub into. Without it, you won’t be able to add it to the humidifier and reap the benefits.
Fix Stuck Zippers
Whether it’s on a bag, a boot, or jacket, a stuck zipper is no joke. It’s a frustrating experience that can hinder how well you can use your items. Don’t panic when this happens. Instead, just reach for your Vick’s VapoRub and liberally apply it to the zipper and the track. This will help to lubricate it and lead it along the track. This will help you fix your zipper with pulling, tugging, or risking pulling the zipper off of its track.
Cure Night Cough
If you have trouble sleeping at night because of a nasty cough or cold, you might want to keep a tub of Vicks VapoRub on your bedside table. Apply a generous amount of the balm on your chest before getting into bed, and inhale the soothing vapor. Relieving cough symptoms is one of the traditional uses of VapoRub, and it should not be overlooked. This balm can be a lifesaver when you’re up in the middle of the night coughing away and waking up your spouse.
Cure Night Cough[/caption]
Cope With Bad Smells
Sometimes you may find yourself in a room that smells so bad, you start to feel nauseous. You can use VapoRub to mitigate the effect of strong scents in your environment. Rubbing a small amount of VapoRub under your nose might help you cope with the offensive odor. Putting some of the product in an air diffuser is also a great way to freshen up the room and will help put you in a relaxed state of mind for the rest of the day.
Heal Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a severe fungal infection that usually begins with the toes and spreads all over the feet. This is a very common skin infection that can cause discomfort, itchiness and even pain in severe cases. If you’re suffering from athlete’s foot, you can use Vicks VapoRub as a remedy. All you have to do is rub the cream on the infected foot twice per day to see improvement. Make sure to apply a generous layer of the balm to see progress faster.
Treat Hemorrhoids
We hope you don’t have to use Vicks VapoRub for this purpose, but if it comes down to it, the versatile balm will help you relieve any pain and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. The menthol in the balm will help reduce itchiness and provide a cooling sensation. However, we suggest testing out the balm on a different part of the body first to make sure you can handle the sensation. If you have sensitive skin, you might get a rash if you use too much of it.
Treat Ringworm
Ringworm is another common type of fungal infection also known as dermatophytosis. Even though it’s called ringworm, the infection is caused by a fungus. It appears on your skin in the shape of a worm, which explains the name. If you’re struggling with an itchy case of ringworm, a bit of VapoRub will help you ease the discomfort. Apply the cream to the infected area two or three times per day and repeat this process until the infection goes away.
Relieve Chest Congestion
One of the most common uses of Vicks VapoRub is to relieve a congested chest. Simply rub some balm onto your chest and throat to suppress a cough and ease your breathing. VapoRub can help open up the airways and make it easier to breathe if you have the flu. If you apply the balm on the upper chest area, it will provide immediate relief from a cough or other symptoms such as shortness of breath. VapoRub is a must-have product during the cold winter days, especially during flu season. If your shortness of breath is not eased by VapoRub – make sure to see a doctor immediately.
Pet Training
Did you know that VapoRub can prevent your pets from doing their business indoors? This life-changing hack will help you train your pets and teach them not to go to the bathroom in the house. Simply rub a bit of the balm over the spot where your pet usually marks its territory. The strong scent will prevent your pets from coming back to the same place over and over again. Eventually, your pet will start getting used to this treatment and they will want to go outside to do their business!
Fighting Warts
Having warts on your hands or feet can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Apply some VapoRub on your warts and cover the area with a sock or any clean cloth. Do this twice a day for a period of two weeks till the warts are completely gone. If you experience any kind of irritation, you should immediately remove the product – but most people tolerate it just fine. Overall, applying the balm seems like a less painful alternative to a surgical removal of the warts.
Treating Acne
Nearly everyone has struggled with acne at some point in their life. VapoRub is one of the best at-home remedies for blemishes and acne. Some of the ingredients in VapoRub are known acne fighters that can help clear up skin that’s breaking out. If you dab some of the balm on the red spots and leave it on overnight, you will notice a significant improvement in the morning. If you are looking for an easy and affordable acne treatment, try this DIY hack at home.
Relieve Eczema
VapoRub can work wonders in clearing up all kinds of skin conditions. A small amount of this product will help you treat eczema or rosacea. Apply it on the itchy area several times a day and watch the discomfort disappear. The balm helps soothe your skin and reduces inflammation. Treating your skin with VapoRub can help you achieve a clear and flawless complexion without any dry patches.
Relieve Headaches
One of the most common uses of Vicks VapoRub is to relieve headaches. If you are suffering from a throbbing headache, just apply a small amount of VapoRub on your forehead and temples. The menthol scent can help relieve pain and tension in your head. Besides the fact that it smells really good, menthol helps lower blood pressure and relieves pain in a few minutes. You can also rub some balm underneath your nose to speed up the relief.
Stop Stretch Marks
Many women have started using VapoRub to combat stretch marks because of the anti-inflammatory properties of eucalyptus. It can work to tone and tighten loose skin, especially after pregnancy. VapoRub contains a combination of eucalyptus oil, cedar leaf oil, and other skin-soothing ingredients. This helps to smooth stretched skin from pregnancy or aging. It also serves as a moisturizer, which helps reduce dry patches on the skin that make stretch marks more visible.
Fake Tears
Sometimes you might need to fake a few tears to impress your acting coach or to get out of a tricky situation. Making your eyes water by staring into the distance can take some time. You can speed up this process with VapoRub. Just rub it gently underneath your eyes and the tears will start rolling down your cheeks. This will make you an expert in crying on demand. However, make sure to be careful when applying and do not get any of the balm in your eyes.