Vicks VapoRub is a household staple— it is in my house anyway. It's always there when you have a cough or a cold or when you're looking to breathe a little easier.
But did you know that there are a number of, shall we say, unconventional uses for VapoRub that will absolutely blow your mind? Who knew that one little product could do so many useful things? Keep reading to find out why it might be a good idea to put a cotton ball soaked in Vicks in your ear overnight.
Use It As Insect Repellent
Believe it or not, mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies actually hate the smell of eucalyptus, which is a main ingredient in Vicks VapoRub.
Dab a bit of VapoRub on your neck, behind your ears, behind your knees, and on your wrists to keep those pesky bugs away.
Use It To Help With Migraines
If you're a person who gets migraines regularly, you know how painful and debilitating they can be. Sometimes it seems like nothing you try can give you any relief.
Try dabbing a bit of Vicks VapoRub on your temples the next time your head starts hurting.
Soothe Aching Muscles
Is there anything worse than trying to walk down a flight of stairs on the day after leg day? Ok, there are probably lots of worse things, but it feels pretty bad while it's happening.
The next time your muscles are feeling particularly sore, try rubbing them with, you guessed it, Vicks VapoRub. The cooling sensation will feel amazing.
Cure Ear Aches
Saturate a cotton ball with Vicks VapoRub and put it in your ear if you have an earache. The cooling action will reduce pain and inflammation.
Kids can get ear infections pretty often. This is a great way to help them sleep easier (along with antibiotics when necessary, of course).
Use It To Treat Acne
Vicks VapoRub can help you deal with breakouts quickly. Your pimples will disappear overnight. Just apply a bit of Vicks to your acne before you go to sleep, and in the morning, those zits will be dried the heck out.
I know it sounds gross, but trust me, it works.
Stop Your Dog From Having Accidents Indoors
Dogs like to pee where they've peed before. They like to establish a routine for themselves. If they pee in your house once, they're going to want to go back to the same spot and do it again.
Put some VapoRub down on your floor where your dog (or cat) had an accident. The smell is so strong that it will mask any trace of what used to be there.
Use It To Heal Foot Fungus And Soften Calluses
Don't forget about your feet! Fungus usually forms because you've kept your feet in moist socks and shoes for too long. Fungi love a warm, wet environment. Vicks can help you wick away some of that unwanted moisture.
Do you guys hate the word moist as much as I do?
Keep Your Furniture Scratch-Free
Cats hate the strong smell of Vicks VapoRub. Put a dab of the stuff on your cat's favorite scratching place to keep your furniture and carpet intact.
Just be aware that if you put any VapoRub on yourself, your cat may not want to snuggle with you.
Ticks Be Gone
You can use VapoRub to remove ticks from your skin. If you try to pick out the tick, it could break apart and cause an infection.
If you cover the tick in VapoRub, it will release on its own. I hate ticks so much.
Use It To Help Fade Bruises
Vicks VapoRub helps reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. Put a dab of it on your bruises to make them disappear quickly.
Whether you have a big bruise or a small bruise, Vick's will help you feel better in no time. Who doesn't want their bruises to smell like Vicks?
Put It On Small Cuts
Vicks VapoRub can be used as an antiseptic. Put it on minor cuts and wounds to help them heal faster and to keep them from getting infected.
It might burn a little bit, but that's how you know it's working. Cover that bad boy up with a band-aid and you're good to go.
Clear Up Sinus Headaches Fast
Headaches can be a real pain in the... well, head. Never fear, Vicks VapoRub is here. Just rub that stuff all over your forehead to help relieve your symptoms.
Why not use VapoRub the way it was meant to be used? This stuff really works.
Treat Eczema
Eczema is a notoriously difficult skin condition to treat. It leaves little red itchy blotches all over your sin. People who deal with it know what I'm talking about.
If you've tried everything and your eczema is still sticking around, try treating it with Vicks VapoRub.
Heal Your Tennis Elbow
Vicks VapoRub can even help you heal your sports injuries. People get tennis elbow from using their forearm too much. It can happen because of tennis, but it doesn't always happen because of tennis.
Just slap some Vicks right on there and move on with your life.
Cry On Command
If you're an actor, you know that it can be difficult to get those tears flowing when it really counts. A lot of actors use menthol to get their eyes to water, but if you need to cry in a pinch, you can try using Vicks VapoRub.
Just put a tiny dab of it below your eyes.
Use It To Remove Splinters
Pulling out a splinter with a pair of tweezers can be painful. If you put some VapoRub on top of the splinter and let it soak into your skin, you'll be able to remove the splinter more easily.
It will also reduce any splinter-related pain, which is absolutely necessary when it comes to splinters.
Are You In The Horse-Racing Industry?
Believe it or not, some racehorse owners put Vicks VapoRub in the nostrils of their male horses to keep them from following the scent of a female horse during a race.
You want those horses to keep their eyes, and their noses, on the prize.
Clear Up Fingernail Or Toenail Fungus
Hold on to your socks, things are about to get pretty gross up in here. We already know that Vicks is good for foot fungus, but did you know it also works for fingernail and toenail fungus?
Is there anything this product can't do?
Put It On Your Feet To Relieve Cold Symptoms
This is one of the classic uses of Vicks VapoRub. If you rub Vapo Rub on your feet at night before you go to bed, you'll sleep easier and your cold will practically be gone by the time you wake up.
Say goodbye to stuffy noses.