Surprising Ways You Can Use Hair Conditioner Around The House

While the average person only uses hair conditioner for its named purpose, it is a versatile product that doesn't need to live in your bathroom. Because of what these products contain, that unassuming bottle of thick liquid can be used in and around your house for many other purposes. You'll find that it comes in quite handy for tasks in your family room, powder room, laundry room, driveway, and elsewhere.

So what exactly are the main ingredients in hair conditioners? One is dimethicone, a silicone-based polymer that creates a barrier for retaining moisture. This is also found in wrinkle-release sprays and helps smooth creases. Hair conditioner also has Ceteth ingredients, which help water break down oil and dirt. This is also commonly found in commercial toilet bowl cleaners. Conditioners also have waxes sourced from petroleum by-products; you can also find these in floor and car waxes.There are many household products that contain the same or similar ingredients, and instead of buying those, why not try hair conditioner instead? 

Now that you know more about what's in hair conditioner, it's easier to see how it can work so well for other purposes. This doesn't mean you should take a $45 bottle of conditioner and use it in and around the house. But the less expensive stuff can perform some cool magic tricks in your home. Here's how to use hair conditioner around your house

At some point, almost everyone on the planet has shrunk a beloved sweater and either thrown it out, donated it, or passed it down to someone that it would fit. But unless it's been reduced to doll-size or has unshrinkable symptoms, there may still be some life left in it. The best candidates for upsizing are sweaters that have shrunk down a size or two. If you can pull the fibers out a few inches on all sides, this should work.

To unshrink a sweater (this also works on other clothing), fill up a sink, tub, or bucket with enough lukewarm water to cover it, and add 2 tablespoons of hair conditioner. Add the clothing and press it down until completely submerged. Resist the urge to move it around and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Take it out but don't rinse it in clean water. Instead, place it on a large, clean towel and roll it up to absorb the excess moisture. Place it on another clean towel and gently stretch it back into shape. If you pull too hard, you could damage the seams or make the sweater too wide. Allow it to air dry, but keep it out of the sunlight because that could discolor the fabric.

To prevent clothes from shrinking, read the manufacturer's labels and launder as instructed. The problem is caused by high water temperatures, machine agitators, and using the dryer on items that should only be air-dried. But hey, anyone can make these mistakes, and now you have an option that could very well rescue that pretty blue argyle.

This one seems to go against logic, but it can work on minor clogs. Drains get backed up by hair, soap, grease, and debris, and sometimes a bit of lubrication is all that's needed. But first, you'll want to remove the drain cover to investigate the extent of the problem. To do this, either pry it off with the end of a screwdriver or unscrew it. These covers are great for preventing clogs, but if you don't clean yours out regularly, you're asking for trouble. Once it's removed, shine a flashlight down the drain, put on rubber gloves, and pull out any hair you see.

Next, get out the hair conditioner and squeeze a small amount down the drain. Don't overdo it, or you could make the clog worse. The goal is to lubricate it just enough and send it on its way. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, and flush out the drain with hot water. If the drain is still backed up, you can try doing it again with the same amount of hair conditioner. Trying it a third time could make the clog worse, and if you don't want to deal with a plumbing problem, it may be time to call a plumber.

Stainless steel quickly loses its shine because of hard water spots, fingerprints, grease, and dirt. It can scratch easily though, so you must use non-abrasive cleaning tools and products. This means no steel wool, Comet, or cleaning brushes. Stick with soft cloths, gentle cleaners, and amazing polishers like hair conditioners.

Using hair conditioner on stainless steel surfaces is child's play. Just add a pea-sized amount to a clean, dry microfiber cloth and buff it onto the surface in a circular motion. The fingerprints and other marks will disappear in seconds, and the original shine will return. If you're hesitant about trying this hack, experiment on a small appliance like a stainless steel coffeepot. Then, you can work your way up to larger appliances like your stovetop, oven, and refrigerator. Remember to use just a dab; otherwise, it will take too long to remove the residue.

Dryer sheets are an add-on laundry product. They aren't really necessary, but they can make clothes much softer and nicely scented. The downside is that they're only good for one use, though. Hello, homemade hair conditioner dryer sheets. You can make a bunch of these at a time out of dishtowels, and store them in a closed container like a mason jar. Cut half a dozen new dishtowels into four strips each, and set them aside. Pour 1¼ cups white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of hair conditioner into the jar. Then, add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to combat the vinegar smell (lavender is a good choice), close the jar, and shake well.

Roll up each dishcloth piece, stack them inside the jar, and seal it again. Carefully turn it upside down and shake gently until the cloth is completely coated. Once the liquid is soaked up, you can toss one or two of the cloths into the dryer for every load. Wringing each one out beforehand is optional. Return them to the jar when the laundry is done, and you can use them repeatedly, adding more of the mixture as needed.