There's not a home in America that doesn't have a bottle or two of Vicks VapoRub in their medicine cabinet.
The topical ointment is great for all your aches and pains, but the cooling cream has so many other uses that could save you a lot of time and money. I mean A LOT.
1. Trains Pets
If you're not willing to spend hundreds of dollars to potty train your pets, leave some VapoRub in places that they relieve themselves most often.
Vets say dogs and cats hate the smell of the ointment, so the smell of Vicks will remind them that what they did was wrong.
Vicks will also prevent your cat from scratching up all your beloved furniture. Leave the ointment on any piece of furniture that they like to scratch on, before it gets completely destroyed.
2. Foot Care
Vicks VapoRub is extremely moisturizing, which means it can make your cracked heels look as good as new. Before you go to bed, rub some of the ointment on your heels. In the morning, wash your feet with cold water and scrub away dead skin, and then moisturize.
The cream is also great to cure toenail fungus. Apply the ointment on the affected nail every night, and then wear an old, but clean, sock. In the morning, wash your feet and clip off the infected nail.
3. Fades Stretch Marks And Wrinkles
If you massage this ointment for a few minutes onto your stretch marks or wrinkles at least once a day, you'll notice that these unwanted lines will disappear within a couple weeks.
4. Heals Bruises
Gently massage VapoRub with a little bit of salt on your bruised skin for a few minutes. You'll notice that the cream will reduce the swelling, and in a short time the bruise will disappear.
5. Removes Acne
Before you sleep, put a small amount of Vicks on your pimples or acne. In the morning, wash your face, and repeat for the next couple days until the problem is solved.
6. Eases Earaches
Put a small amount of VapoRub on a cotton ball and place it in your ear for a few hours.
The antiseptic properties will not only reduce the pain, but will help fight your possible ear infection.
7. Repels Insects
Insects hate the strong smell of VapoRub, so apply a thin layer of the ointment on various parts of your body that's exposed. This saved me a ton of money when I went to the Caribbean!
If you've already been bitten, VapoRub will soothe the itch and the antiseptic properties will reduce your risk of getting an infection.
8. Makes You Cry
No one wants to cry, but sometimes it's a good idea. One time I really needed my tear ducts to get to work because I got one grain of sand in my eye, and I didn't want to rub my eye any further because there was a possibility I could scratch my cornea.
Instead I put a little bit of VapoRub under my eyes and let that grain of sand trickle out with my tears.
9. Heals Cuts Faster
Just like how Vicks can heal bruises, the menthol ingredient in the ointment will also relieve the pain from your cut and help heal wounds faster.
10. Gets Rid Of Fat
Imagine getting rid of belly or upper arm fat with an over-the-counter ointment! It's actually possible!
Vicks VapoRub combined with camphor, baking soda, and a bit of alcohol creates a fat burning cream will that save you time and money.
11. Treats toenail fungus
When it comes to nasty things on or in your feet, you want to have nothing to do it. Don't rush straight to your doctor just yet. Save time and money by applying Vicks VapoRub on the affected nail.
Before you go to bed, cover the nail with the ointment and then put on a clean sock. Do this until the nail grows, and once it does, clip the infected nail.
12. Relieves headaches
A piercing headache can often ruin your day. Instead of rushing to find pain medication, take a more topical approach when it comes to easing your pain.
Gently rub a pea-sized amount of VapoRub on your forehead and temples for a minute or two. The cooling sensation of the ointment will relax you within minutes, and that throbbing pain will go away in no time.
Apply the cream, turn off the lights, and place a towel over your forehead for at least 30 minutes for best results.
13. Humidifies the air in your home
If you already have a humidifier, add just a little bit of the ointment to it.
This will freshen up your living space by eliminating bad odors. The scent usually lasts for a day, but if it fades, just add some more to your humidifier.
14. Relieves sore muscles
Vicks is great for clearing up your sinuses, but it also works wonders on your muscles. If you're like half of the people on this planet who complain about lower back pain, you need to try this hack.
Massage some VapoRub on your sore muscles for at least a few minutes. If your muscle pain is simply agonizing, wrap a towel or an elastic bandage around the problem area. Make sure you don't wrap it too tight, but also not too loose!
15. Lubricates door hinges
Most people use oil to lubricate their door hinges to stop them from squeaking, but oil sometimes has a funny smell to it.
Instead, use VapoRub to get your doors moving smoothly, and the bonus here is that your house will smell amazing.