The Midas Touch of Household Products
In the competition for the title of household multitasking hero, coconut oil is rivaled only by baking soda for its sheer number of uses coupled with extreme effectiveness. From moisturizing your own cheeks to keeping a different set of cheeks diaper rash-free, if you have a quandary, chances are that coconut oil can swoop in to save the day.
My latest installment of coconut oil worship involves its most miraculous feat yet. Our new apartment has a brand new stainless steel stove. After looking at one apartment that had no stove to speak of, and another with a relic from the 1970s so caked in grease it was barely recognizable, let me begin by saying that this stove is not something I’m taking for granted. Standing sentinel with the stove there’s also a stainless steel refrigerator and a dishwasher (I know…a dishwasher!). But all gratefulness aside, from an aesthetic point of view, I’ve never really gotten the appeal of stainless steel appliances.
Stainless steel refrigerators strike me as looking like mid-century rocket ships ready for blast-off. And until we moved in, I wasn’t aware that there was also the added disadvantage of needing to keep all of this shiny metal—well—shiny. When water drips down a stainless steel fridge or a certain toddling nephew hoists himself repeatedly against the shiny face of the dishwasher, telltale signs get left behind. Wiping them down with a soapy sponge or giving them a spritz with a multipurpose cleaning spray leave them looking even worse.
The Coconut Oil Solution
But: coconut oil to the rescue! Instead of shuffling to the corner store in search of a dubious “stainless steel cleaning product” I’ve been polishing my stainless steel with a smear or two of coconut oil. After cleaning my appliances in the usual way, I give them a good rubdown. I use just a spoonful of oil on a soft cloth, rubbed into the surface until it’s not greasy to the touch, but all of the stains and streaks have gone away.
I might be the last person on earth to know about this petit miracle. But in case I’m not, I hope I’ve given you yet another reason to enjoy your humble jar o’ coconut oil. Little victories, friends.
Coconut oil can also work wonders on hard water stains left on windows or shower glass doors. Mix the coconut oil with lemon juice. Dip a towel in the mixture, and rub it into your window or shower glass door in a circular motion. Then use another clean towel, and buff it into what will look like a cloudy mess. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, dip a towel in that, and use it to get your glass streak- and stain-free.
No one likes to hear their hinges making annoying squeaky noises. Coconut oil makes a great lubricant, silencing the squeaks and treating the rust that’s likely causing it. “Just rub a little coconut oil on the hinge,” says Traci Kantowski, certified health coach and communications director for Coconut Coalition of the Americas.
It also unsticks zippers! Give your appliances a jump-start with a little dab of coconut oil. Coconut oil can be used to keep the motors of all your electronics and appliances, like your lawn mower, running smoothly. Think of it as an alternative to grease spray. Coconut oil also works as a polish on stainless-steel and bronze appliances around the home.
Cleaning With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can even help remove stubborn labels and gum from surfaces. “Rub coconut oil on the sticky item, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub it off,” says Kantowkski. For very sticky items, use a mixture of baking soda and coconut oil.
What little kid doesn’t like to write on walls? You can remove crayon and other marks from walls with your magic eraser, otherwise known as coconut oil. “Apply coconut oil on a rag or cotton pad, rub it onto the mark, and wipe away. Make sure to test an inconspicuous area of the wall first,” says Kantowski.
A little coconut oil will do wonders to clean and condition leather, and make it more supple. First, use a damp cloth to wipe the leather down. Dip a dry cloth into a small mixture of coconut oil and lemon juice, and rub it gently into the leather. Wipe away excess oil, and then buff. You can use it on leather couches, jackets, and boots to prevent any type of cracking.
“Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has natural antimicrobial properties,” says Kantowski. That’s why it’s a great all-natural shower cleaner. “Mix coconut oil with baking soda to form a paste that can be used on bathroom and kitchen grime. Spread it, wait around 10 minutes, and then scrub,” says Kantowski.
While everyone and their neighbor will talk up the many benefits of coconut oil, guess who doesn’t like it? Mosquitoes! Topical application of coconut oil can repel mosquitoes as well as other bugs like flies, ticks, and bedbugs. A study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that coconut oil is a better and more effective insect repellent than DEET.
So quit swatting at mosquitoes, and consider whipping up a batch of homemade DIY coconut oil bug repellent, courtesy of Tiffany Pelkey of the blog Coconut Mama.
A Cleaning Staple For Your Home
Coconut oil is truly a one-stop shop for all your household cleaning needs. From shining up your stainless steel appliances to keeping your hinges rust-free, this versatile oil has an endless number of uses around the home.
But the benefits of coconut oil don’t stop there. Here at Adam Cleaning Services in Nottingham, UK, we use coconut oil in many of our cleaning solutions. Its natural antimicrobial properties make it an effective and eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemical cleaners.
So the next time you’re tackling a cleaning project, reach for the coconut oil. You might be surprised at just how many household tasks it can handle!
