4 Bizarre Yet Genius Ways to Use Coconut Oil
by Deven Hopp
In case you were wondering what can’t coconut oil do, the answer (we’re 99.99% positive) is nothing. It works as a shaving cream replacement, a deep-conditioning hair mask, and it even will balance your hormones.Coconut oil ($9) really is the Rolls-Royce of multitasking oils. We challenged ourselves to find new and different ways to use the under-$10 kitchen (and bathroom and life) staple.
Scroll through for five coconut oil uses you didn’t know existed!
Keep Eggs Fresh Longer
Coconut oil seals the pores on eggshells, keeping oxygen out and freshness in. All you do is coat each (dry, room temperature) egg in liquefied coconut oil, return them to the carton, and store in a cool dry place. This trick will prolong the life of your eggs from weeks to months.
Related: 13 Reasons You Should Be Using Coconut Oil Every Day
Whitening Toothpaste
Oil pulling may not be for you, but you can still reap the teeth-whitening benefits of the practice by brushing with a coconut oil and baking soda toothpaste. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil combined with the stain-removing power of baking soda make this all-natural option just as effective as the store-bought varieties. Add peppermint essential oil or an all-natural sweetener like Stevia ($5) if you need a little something extra.
All-Natural Insect Repellent
Traditional bug spray smells awful and is loaded chemicals. Smart coconut oil lovers know you can add a couple drops of peppermint, rosemary, or tea tree oil to the multitasking oil, apply it your body, and keep flies, mosquitos, gnats, and bees at bay. The added moisture never hurts, either.
Related: This Simple DIY Will Replace Your Expensive Oil Cleanser
Nourishing Makeup Brush Cleaner
The only thing surprising about this one is that we didn’t think of it sooner. We use coconut oil to remove our makeup; it only follows that it’d do a bang-up job of getting our brushes spick and span. All you do is dip your brush in liquefied oil, brush them back and forth on a paper towel to clean the bristles, and repeat until clean. Then give it a quick rinse and you’ll have soft, clean brushes in the morning.
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