7 Helpful Ways To Use Coconut Oil Around The House

We all know coconut oil is one of the healthiest choices for cooking... But do you know all the ways to use coconut oil around the house?! My love for coconut oil began when I discovered it’s usefulness as a healthy cooking fat. Able to withstand high temperatures while maintaining its integrity, coconut oil is perfect for sautéing and baking. It wasn’t long before I started using coconut oil in DIY skincare products and home remedies as well. Then I starting buying coconut oil in gallon-sized buckets. And never looked back. Having this amount on hand allows me to use coconut oil for anything... and everything. Being able to experiment led me to discover many different ways to use it. My use of coconut oil is no longer limited to cooking or even natural body care. I've branched out to using coconut oil all over my home, too! Read on for 7 helpful ways to use coconut oil around the house.

#1 — Season Cast Iron Cookware

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Expeller Pressed or Centrifuge Extracted Proper seasoning is important for any type of cast iron cookware as it creates a protective coating and makes cooking much easier by producing an almost non-stick surface. Various oils have been recommended for seasoning cast iron, but a number of them -- especially vegetable oils -- oxidize at high temperatures, making them unhealthy. Coconut oil is a great choice as it is resistant to heat, maintaining its integrity at very high temperatures. The solid nature of coconut oil makes it easy to apply as well. How to season a cast iron pan or skillet with coconut oil:

1. Wash the pan in hot soapy water and dry thoroughly. If the pan has rust spots, use a fine scouring pad to remove them. If rust is tough to remove, try sprinkling a little salt in the pan before scouring. Rinse and dry thoroughly before moving to the next step.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a cookie sheet or aluminum foil on the bottom shelf to catch any drips.
3. Rub a small amount of coconut oil all over the surface of the pan, including the bottom and handle. The goal is to create a thin coat, so be careful not to use too much. Wipe out any excess oil until only a thin coat remains.
4. Place the pan, upside down, on the top shelf of the oven.
5. After an hour, turn off the oven and leave pan until cool.
6. Pan can be used right away but may take some time to create a true non-stick coating. Seasoning improves with use. If you wish to produce a thicker coating, repeat the steps above 2 or 3 times.

#2 — Condition Wood Cutting Boards

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Expeller Pressed, Cold-Pressed, or Centrifuge Extracted Regular conditioning of wooden cutting boards helps maintain a protective finish which prevents the wood from absorbing odors, colors, and juices from foods. Warping and cracking are also avoided with periodic conditioning, thus extending the life of your cutting board. Mineral oil is often suggested for cutting board care, however, it is made from petroleum. I recommend avoiding petroleum at all costs, especially when used in food preparation (even if it says, “Food Grade,” I don’t trust it. It’s still made from petroleum!) Thankfully, it's not necessary to use mineral oil to condition cutting boards as coconut oil works very well, plus it has antibacterial properties, which is an added bonus. If you’re already cooking with coconut oil, you don’t need to buy another oil for only 1 task! (Coconut oil helps you reduce clutter too!) How to condition a wooden cutting board with coconut oil: Note: any coconut oil can be used, but if you wish to avoid any possible coconut flavor, use WFN’s expeller-pressed coconut oil.

1. Take a small amount of coconut oil (approximately 1-2 teaspoons) and spread it over the entire surface of the cutting board.
2. Leave coconut oil to soak into wood before using it. This can take a few hours. Leaving overnight is a great option.
3. Re-apply coconut oil whenever the board begins to look dry.

#3 —Remove Stickers & Residue From Jars

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Expeller Pressed or Craft Oil A mix of coconut oil and baking soda can be used to aid in removing stickers and residue from jars. Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda and spread over stickers/residue. Leave for 5-10 minutes. Scrub gently with a scouring pad and wipe away excess. This process may be repeated, if necessary.

#4 — Fix A Squeaky Door

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Craft Oil or Expeller Pressed Coconut oil works well to eliminate squeaks from door hinges. I prefer using coconut oil instead of other oils because it’s solid-state makes it easier (and less messy) to apply. To fix a squeaky door apply coconut oil to door hinges and open and close the door a few times to work the coconut oil into the crevices. Let sit overnight. Wipe any excess oil and enjoy the quiet!

#5 —Remove Gum From Hair

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Craft Oil or Expeller Pressed Peanut butter is often the go-to for removing gum from hair, but coconut oil will do the trick as well. This is a great option for those with nut allergies. To remove gum from hair, work a small amount of coconut oil into the hair around the gum. Continue working in the coconut oil until the gum loosens. Before long you will be able to pull the gum out easily.

#6 — Condition & Polish Wood Furniture

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Craft Oil use coconut oil as a quick and simple wood conditioner. Before using, prepare the furniture by cleaning with a damp cloth and then buffing dry. Proceed by adding a small amount of coconut oil to a clean cloth. Rub the coconut oil into the wood in circular motions. Leave the coconut oil to dry out a little, then use a clean, dry cloth to buff in the direction of the wood grain. You may also wish to try adding lemon juice to coconut oil to create a more traditional wood polish. The general ratio is approximately 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts coconut oil. For example, you may mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with one tablespoon of lemon juice. Use as you would regular furniture polish. Be sure to test either method on an inconspicuous area of the furniture before using it.

#7 —Shine Plants

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Craft Oil To remove dust and keep plant leaves shiny, rub a tiny amount of coconut oil into the leaves with a soft cloth or your fingertips (depending on the fragility of the plant). This is especially effective for plants with thick, rubbery leaves.

#8 (Bonus!) —Remove Soap Scum

Coconut Oil Recommendation: Expeller Pressed or Craft Oil It seems strange that coconut oil would work to remove soap scum, but it does! Apply a thin layer of coconut oil over soap scum and leave for 10 to 20 minutes. Spray with vinegar and wipe clean with a rag.

Do you use coconut oil? Can you add any tips for using coconut oil around the house?