16 Uses For Coconut Oil Around The Home

Coconut oil is very popular for cooking, baking, and even making beauty products. Many believe that coconut has its moisturizing properties on all types of skin.

While coconut oil is great for smoothies, cakes, and even as a skin balm, did you know there are other ways to use coconut oil around the house?

coconut oil in jar

Types of Coconut Oil

First of all, there are a couple different types of edible coconut oil. I love Wilderness Family Naturals Coconut oil, and they carry all 3 of the types of coconut oil.

I have found these oils to be high quality and a great value.  All coconut oils will be liquid at 76° and  solid at 75° or lower. The 3 types of coconut oil are as listed:

  • Virgin unrefined coconut oil has a stronger coconut flavor and aroma. It is also used for cooking, sautéing, baking, and body care. This type is ideal to use as a medium-heat cooking oil.
  • Refined coconut oil generally refers to an oil that has gone through the process that removes coconut flavor, aroma, and impurities.
  • Craft oil is coconut oil which can be used to make crafts such as candles, soaps, deodorants, and body butters. It often has sediments in the oil that makes it unappetizing for eating. As it is sold at a lower price, this type of coconut oil is great for using around the house.

What Can we Use it For?

As Wood Conditioner

As a wood conditioner, coconut oil is perfect. I like to take our wooden spoons and cutting boards and wash thoroughly, then air dry completely.

Next, I take a dime sized amount and spread all over the spoons and cutting boards. They are allowed to soak in the oil for 5-10 minutes, then I wipe off the excess. This is best repeated weekly.

To Season Cast Iron

For seasoning cast iron, coconut oil provides an excellent seasoning finish. Simply heat your cast iron pans for one hour in a 300° oven.

Apply a thin layer of coconut oil over the pan and rub gently. Place back in the oven for 30 minutes, side up on a cookie sheet to catch drips. Allow to cool thoroughly and wipe away excess.

We also wipe the pans with a bit of coconut oil on a cloth to keep the pans seasoned after each use.

For household pets, coconut oil is awesome. Place a tiny bit on the end of your cats nose once a month. They will lick this off, and it will help keep the hairballs to a minimum.

Applying a tiny amount to the end of their paws will also help protect outdoor cats from snow and salt. Dogs love the taste of coconut oil, and a teaspoon added to their food daily can help keep their coat shiny and healthy.

For Cooking at High Heat

Coconut Oil has a high saturated fat content – around 87% – this means you can safely cook at very high temperatures.

How? Well, that’s simple; saturated fats retain their chemical structure when heated, unlike vegetable oils which tend to break down.

Some oils also tend to convert into toxic compounds which can negatively impact your health.

To Improve Dental Health

Coconut oil can be used to fight the bacteria that cause plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease in your mouth by swishing it for a few minutes every day.

To Make Mayonnaise

Yes, you can really make mayonnaise with coconut oil. Most commercial mayonnaises contain soybean oil and sugar. This isn’t the healthiest option, but you can make a much healthier alternative.

As Moisturizer

Coconut oil is popular in soap making for its moisturizing qualities. Just rub a bit of it into your skin and there you go. One thing to keep in mind, this is probably not the best method for you if you have very oily skin.

To Make Sugar-free Dark Chocolate

Everyone I know loves chocolate, although dark chocolate is often an acquired taste. Despite its bitter taste, dark chocolate does contain a fair amount of sugar which isn’t always healthy.

If you want a healthier alternative, try using coconut oil in a bit of homemade dark chocolate.

To Keep Your Hair Healthy

Applying a bit of coconut oil before/after shampooing your hair can reduce the loss of protein in your hair, keeping it healthy.

As a Non-toxic Insect Repellent

I’m sure we’ve all used essential oils at some point to drive off mosquitos – usually by applying the oil to the skin.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the best way to do it and quite often an essential oil will need a carrier in order to be more effective. Coconut oil is a very good carrier oil.

Stain Removal

You can use coconut oil as a stain remover. Mix a bit of coconut oil and baking soda into a paste and apply it to the stain you want to remove, wait a few minutes and wipe away the paste.

Natural Deodorant

Nobody likes to walk around smelling funky. Coconut oil has strong anti-bacterial qualities which make it an ideal natural deodorant.

Furniture Polish

My mom is a huge fan of the ball and claw style furniture and so our lounge furniture is polished fairly often.

Unfortunately, commercial furniture polishes tend to leave overwhelming chemical-like smells after use. Coconut oil makes a great natural polish with a more delicate smell.

Eye Makeup Remover

A bit of coconut oil on a cotton pad, wiped gently across the eyes allows for easy removal of eye makeup.

Natural Lip Balm

One thing I try to always have on me, especially in winter, is lip balm. There’s nothing worse than cracked lips – especially when you want to munch on salt and vinegar chips (trust me, ouch).

Coconut oil makes a great natural lip balm, it goes on easily, and stays on for a while leaving your lips nice and moisturized.

8 Uses of Coconut Oil for the Skin - Coconut Oil for a Perfect Skin and Beauty

Shaving Cream

Shaving creams are getting to be ridiculously pricey in places and there’s nothing worse than grabbing the canister and finding it empty.

Never fear, coconut oil is here! You can use coconut oil as an alternative to shaving cream.

Body Scrub

One cup of coconut oil added to a cup of sugar or sea salt, and you have a great natural body scrub to exfoliate your skin and get rid of any dead skin cells that would otherwise block your pores.

What ways do you use coconut oil around the home?

3 thoughts on “16 Uses For Coconut Oil Around The Home”

  1. I love coconut oil in my morning coffee. My two dogs are right there waiting for their daily bit of coconut oil! So far I’ve not been able to get my cat interested. Still trying, though!

  2. I found this very interesting, particularly to reduce the cat hairball. We are definitely going to give it a try with our cat, will let you know how we get on. Thanks for this.

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