10 Surprising Household Uses For Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an incredibly versatile product, which is one reason it belongs in every Southern kitchen. It can be used to season a cast-iron skillet, turned into a glossy chocolate coating, added to Christmas cookies, and used to saute supper ingredients. While coconut oil is a pantry staple, turns out there are plenty of uses well outside the kitchen, too.
Turns out that coconut oil is an incredibly useful, multitasking tool to have in the cleaning toolbox. In fact, it’s a bit of an overachiever when it comes to household chores, as it is good for polishing, loosening, conditioning, and shining all sorts of household items. From reviving tired wood cutting boards to catching critters, this multitasking tool earns its keep far beyond baking day. We spoke to a few home care pros and cleaning experts about their favorite ways to put coconut oil to work around the house.
Revive Wood Furniture
“Use a thin layer of coconut oil to bring shine back to dull wood furniture,” suggests Elena Navarro, a professional cleaner and an organizing expert for Sparkly Maid Austin. “Using a soft cloth, spread the oil evenly throughout the wood and then buff it dry. This restores the natural sheen without the use of synthetic fragrances or chemicals by way of an aerosol.”
Make A Natural Polish And Dust Spray
“Combine fractionated coconut oil with distilled water, vinegar, and bright essential oils like lemon or tea tree to create a lightly conditioning dusting spray. The blend helps lift dust while leaving behind a subtle sheen and fresh scent,” suggests Elena Mercurio, aromatherapy educator and clinical herbalist at Frontier Co-op and Aura Cacia, an essential oils and botanicals brand. “As with any DIY cleaner, test first on delicate or porous surfaces.”=
Clean Stainless Steel Appliances
“Use coconut oil on stainless steel appliances, including refrigerators and dishwashers. Using a microfiber cloth and a small amount of coconut oil, simply work the coconut oil into the appliance’s ‘grain’ and buff until all fingerprints and smudges are gone,” suggests Navarro. “Not only does this method prevent fingerprints from reappearing, but it also provides a protective barrier that reduces the need to wipe down the appliance with other cleaning products.”
Make A DIY Bug Trap
“Take a glass jar and coat the inside with coconut oil. Then, lay the jar on its side and place bait at the back of it, something like a small piece of fruit or a cracker. Set that jar in a problem area of your home where you find cockroaches,” says David Joles, COO of PURCOR Pest Solutions. “This works well to trap them because they are drawn to the bait, which makes them crawl in the jar, but once they are in, the coconut oil makes everything so slippery that they cannot get out.”
Remove Labels And Sticky Residue
“To remove sticky residue or label adhesive, mix a small amount of coconut oil with baking soda to form a soft paste. Apply the mixture directly to the sticky residue and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away,” says Navarro. “This method removes sticky residue without causing damage to surfaces or leaving behind a harsh chemical odor.”
Silence Squeaky Hinges
“Use coconut oil to quiet squeaky door and cabinet hinges, by applying a small amount of coconut oil to the hinge pin and working it gently into the mechanism, the squeaking is silenced and it’s safe to be used in kitchens and around children and pets,” says Navarro.
Refresh Wooden Cutting Boards
“Massage a small amount of coconut oil into cutting boards or butcher blocks using a soft cloth and circular motions, then allow it to absorb overnight to maintain a smooth, conditioned finish—simply and naturally,” says Mercurio.
Create A Simple Reed Diffuser
“Fill a small vase or spice jar with about 2 ounces of fractionated coconut oil and 20–30 drops of essential oil (our Paradise Blend is a team favorite!). Add reed sticks and flip every few days for a soft, continuous fragrance that gently scents entryways, bathrooms, or bedside tables as the coconut oil slowly disperses the aroma,” recommends Mercurio.
Help Protect Garden Tools From Rust
“After cleaning metal tools, wipe blades with a tiny amount of coconut oil to create a light barrier against moisture and corrosion—no harsh chemicals required,” says Mercurio.
Condition Leather
“Apply a thin layer of coconut oil [to dry leather goods] and buff the excess away,” says Navarro.