15 Ways You Can Use VapoRub That Don't Involve You Having A Cold

One of the most frustrating minor ailments that we all fall prey to from time to time is a cold. Usually, when the winter weather comes around, we will feel our throats get painful (no matter how well we wrap up), and before we know it, we're lying awake at night coughing our guts up, (well, it certainly feels that way at the time!). Sure, there's a lot of solutions around, from lemon teas to the good ol' fashioned hot water bottle, but one of the most effective is the humble Vicks VapoRub.

And it's not just coughs and congestion that VapoRub is good for, it can be used to treat other minor ailments like headaches. Available since 1905, VaboRub contains a number of cough suppressants like eucalyptus oil and, in the unlikely event you've never used it before, works when the vapors from these cough suppressants are breathed in, soothing your sore throat.

However, it turns out that it's got a lot of uses outside the medicinal world too. Here are 15 of the most unlikely:

1. Training dogs

Yes, you read that right. VapRub can really be used to train dogs and a lot of other animals, too. Simply put some of the lotion in the areas they've got a habit of relieving themselves in when they shouldn't, and the smell of the vapors will put them off ever doing it again. It can also be used to teach animals that they shouldn't mess with your furniture!

2. Getting rid of cracked heals

While we'd all love to have baby soft feet, it's something few of us have - especially if we do a lot of walking. But you don't need to accept brittle and cracked heels as an everyday reality if you rub them with VapoRub, which is also a phenomenal moisturizer. All you have to do is rub it on your cracked heels at night, pop on some socks, then wipe away the dead skin in the morning.

3. Saying goodbye to stretch marks

Motherhood might be one of the best things in the world, but it comes at a serious cost to your body. And even when you've lost that pesky baby fat, it can be nigh impossible to get rid of your stretch marks, which is when VapoRub comes in. To get rid of them in a matter of weeks, rub them daily with VapoRub one or more times a day.

4. Heal bruises

Bruises are unsightly and they can be very frustrating, especially if they're in a noticeable place. You can, however, speed up the healing process with VapoRub. Just apply ointment and some salt, which will work to minimize the swelling.

5. Remove acne

Bruises are a nuisance, but I think we can all agree that acne is worse. Now in the latter half of my twenties, I thought that I'd have said goodbye to it a long time ago, but nope. It's still a problem and while I manage it with birth control, if I have a bad flare up, I use VapoRub instead. Put it on overnight and leave until the morning. Then repeat until your pimply problem is solved!

6. Get rid of earaches

Anyone who has ever suffered from an earache will testify to how horrible it is. Headaches are bad, but at least get some respite when we're asleep - something which is nigh impossible with a bad earache. And while VapoRub isn't a potential quick-fix solution, it is a solution if you put some on a cotton bud and put it into your ear. Leave it for a few hours and its antiseptic properties will reduce the amount of pain you're in and start to heal your ear infection (if you've got one).

7. Repel insects

In the same way that your pets can't stand the smell of VapoRub, it will repel insects too. It's also useful if you've already been bitten and will help to soothe your affected skin, so it really is a must-have item when you go on vacation!

8. It can make you cry

You probably read that and thought, "Well, why would I want to cry?" But there are some occasions when it's necessary, like when you get something stuck in your eye. If that happens, just put some VapoRub under your eyes and let the tears roll. (Actors also use this method!)

9. Speed up the cut healing process

VapoRub heals bruises, so it only stands to reason that it would do the same thing with cuts too. In this instance, the menthol in VapoRub will reduce the pain caused by your minor injury and help your body to heal the wound faster.

10. Reduce belly and arm fat

For a lot of people, this is probably the best surprising use of VapoRub. Unbelievably, it can also be used as a weight loss tool. However, you do need a few more ingredients to make this work - namely, camphor, baking soda, and alcohol. Once you have them, combine all four ingredients and you'll have created a fat burning cream.

11. Treat toenail fungus

There are few things more unsightly than toenail fungus, and for most people with the condition, the easiest solution is to put on a pair of socks and pray that no one ever sees their feet. With VapoRub, however, this doesn't have to be the case. All you have to do is put the ointment on the affected nail and pop on a sock. Repeat this process until your nail's grown, then clip it off.

12. Alleviate headaches

Okay, so while this is a use that's been briefly mentioned before, I didn't explain how to do it. So if you're a frequent sufferer of headaches, you'll want to make a note of this. Put a pea-sized amount of VapoRub on your forehead and temples and then leave it in place for between one and two minutes. During this time, the cooling feeling the ointment causes will ease your pain.

13. Humidify the air

Okay, so you do need to have a humidifier for this one to work, but if you add a little VapoRub to it, it'll do its job more effectively. How? Well, because the ointment will get rid of any nasty smells lurking in your abode.

14. Soothe sore muscles

It's no secret that VapoRub works wonders on our sinuses, but a little-known fact is that it's just as effective at soothing our joints. If you're one of the many people out there who's plagued by lower back pain, rub it on the affected area and allow it to work its magic for a few minutes.

15. Oil door hinges

Stiff hinges are a real nuisance and let's be real, WD40 doesn't exactly smell like roses. So if you haven't got any to hand, or simply want to lubricate yours without having to deal with the smell, VapoRub is a great alternative.

Do you know of any other unlikely VapoRub uses? Or have you given any of these a whirl? If so, let us know in the comments section! As this list proves, when it comes to handy - and quite frankly brilliant - hacks, knowledge really is power.