Unexpected Uses For Peanut Butter Around Your House
According to Statista, a whopping 299.34 million Americans feasted on the ever-popular peanut butter in 2020, and that number is always on the rise. Who can blame the consumers? While peanut butter tastes delicious in a sandwich, over apple slices, or as a cookie filling, it also has a host of additional uses. In fact, you'll find it's one of the more versatile items you have in your home.
You may be surprised to learn that peanut butter can double as a lubricant for your door hinges and release the adhesive from stickers and gum. It removes scratches from DVDs and can be turned into a candle in an emergency. There's virtually no limit to what this childhood favorite can do. The important thing to note when using these unexpected peanut butter hacks is to stick to the creamy version, as the nuts within chunky peanut butter can leave behind scratches, marks, or clogs.
To eliminate odors
Certain foods, like fish and onions, leave a strong odor in the air for quite some time after cooking. How do you get rid of the stench? Air fresheners often only mix with the odor instead of removing it. While peanut butter has its own recognizable scent, it also works as a natural deodorizer, says CNET, which means you can use it as a hack to eliminate powerful smells. Peanut butter doesn't just work to remove odors in the air either, and you can also use it on your hands after chopping garlic.
To use peanut butter to make your home smell better, you'll need to scoop 3 teaspoons of this creamy food staple and place it in a frying pan. Turn the heat to medium and wait for the peanut butter to melt and bubble. After a few minutes, turn the heat off, and you'll soon notice that the air is much fresher. If your hands have a lingering odor, place a dime-sized amount of peanut butter in your palm. Rub your hands together until the peanut butter has fully covered them. Wash the peanut butter away with a little dish soap and water, and you're good to go.
To polish wood, vinyl, and leather
You don't have to spend big bucks for specialty oils when it comes time to polish your wood, vinyl, and leather items. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, peanut butter actually works well for this task, and one jar costs just a few bucks. It's the natural oils within the peanut butter that moisturize, while the creamy texture of the condiment acts as an emollient to get rid of any scratches or scuff marks.
Dip a cotton rag inside a jar of peanut butter and begin rubbing it in a circular motion over the wood, leather, or vinyl you wish to polish. If you have any scratches, you may want to repeat this step a second time over the affected area. Grab a clean cotton cloth and go back over the item, as buffing the piece is the best way to leave behind an attractive shine. Peanut butter can also be used to shine and polish a variety of other items, such as the plastic trim of your car.
To remove sticky adhesives
Whether your child has attached stickers to a bathroom mirror or you need to remove a label from an old mason jar, some sticky adhesives require a little more effort to get rid of. Fox News reports that peanut butter works well to get rid of adhesives; they tested it on the residue left behind on a candle by a price tag, and the experiment was a success. You can use this hack to remove just about anything sticky, including stamps, gum, tar, and tree sap.
Apply a thin layer of peanut butter over the adhesive you'd like to remove. Make sure you've completely covered the area, and then wait a few minutes, giving the oils time to penetrate and soften the adhesive. Wipe away the peanut butter and the adhesive with a damp paper towel. If needed, wash the item with a little dish soap and water to remove any oil left behind by the peanut butter.
To create homemade candles
Creating candles at home doesn't have to be complicated. Many avid campers report that you can actually make them using peanut butter, as this condiment contains oils and fats that produce a flame as they burn. The high-fat content of peanut butter also helps keep the candle burning after it's been lit. Of course, you'll need a fireproof jar and a wick to complete the craft.
Choose a container for your homemade candle; use an old candle jar or a new decorative fireproof glass mug. Create the wick by cutting several strands of cotton string and braiding them together. Scoop a little peanut butter into the bottom of your container and then pour the oil that has settled on the top of the peanut butter jar into the container. You may need to set aside a jar of peanut butter a few weeks ahead of this project so the oil has time to separate and rise to the top. Press the wick down into the center of the jar, and it's ready to use.
To clean bugs off a windshield
Occasionally, a few traveling bugs make contact with your car's windshield. This can happen while driving or even when the vehicle is stationary. You can attempt to clean your windshield using wiper fluid; however, the fluid doesn't always do the best job of removing all the bugs' secretions. What you really need to get your windshield clean again can be found right on a shelf in your pantry – peanut butter! In this hack, the peanut butter works the same way to remove the sticky residue left behind by bugs as it does to lift away sticker adhesive.
Smear a thin layer of peanut butter over each spot where the bugs made contact with your windshield, and wait approximately 10 minutes for the peanut butter to do its magic. Afterward, you can wipe the peanut butter and the bugs away with a damp paper towel. If any oil remains from the peanut butter, simply wash the windshield with a little dish soap and hot water. Rinse with your garden hose, and you're all done.
To remove scuff marks from your flooring
Kids don't walk; they run. If they aren't running, they are stomping. In doing so, the rubber on their shoes may leave some unsightly black scuff marks on the floors. Additionally, certain pieces of furniture can make black markings on your flooring when moved from one spot to another. These marks won't come off with just soap and water. You'll need to grab a jar of peanut butter and get to work, as many home cleaners report this hack is really effective.
Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over each scuff mark on your floor. Wait five minutes for the peanut butter to soften and release the stains before using a clean microfiber towel to wipe away the peanut butter, along with any traces of black. Buff the floor with another rag or give it a good clean using a mop and a multi-purpose floor cleaner.
To create a bird feeder
If you enjoy watching birds visit your garden, you can take steps to make the garden more attractive to the feathered creatures, and one surefire option is to create a bird feeder. There are several inexpensive ways to go about this, some of which involve using peanut butter. Experts at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology recommend using peanut butter in homemade bird feeders. In order for peanut butter to be safe for birds, you'll want to use a jar that lists peanuts as its only ingredient, or you can also make your own peanut butter by simply placing peanuts in a food processor.
Determine which vessel you'd like to use as the base for your bird feeder — you can use pinecones from the yard or even a toilet paper roll. Create a loop for hanging using a piece of twine or yarn, and then attach it to the vessel of your choice. Smear the peanut butter around the outside of the homemade bird feeder and then roll it over a plate of wild bird seed. Hang the bird feeder from a tree branch or a planter hook on your front porch, grab a pair of binoculars, and get ready to enjoy the show.
To remove scratches from CDs and DVDs
How many times have you gone to watch your favorite movie or listen to your most loved band, only for the disc to skip due to a scratch across its surface? You may think the scratch renders your CD or DVD useless, but there is something unexpected you can do to breathe new life into that most cherished disc. Many people swear you can cover over the scratch with peanut butter. The oils will fill in the tiny scratch so the disc can play uninterrupted.
For this hack, you'll need to grab a jar of creamy peanut butter, as the crunchy version contains sharp nuts that would only add scratches to your disc instead of taking them away. Cover the scratches with a thin layer of peanut butter, and use a soft sheet of toilet paper to begin wiping the peanut butter off the disc. Continue with a few new sheets of toilet paper until the disc is completely clean. Moreover, peanut butter fixes scratches on all discs, including gaming discs.
To lubricate metal parts
Metal tends to squeak for various reasons, from normal wear and tear to a lack of lubrication and beyond. If you find a machine in your home, office, or shop is squeaking because two or more parts are now rubbing together, you can fix the issue by adding lubrication. Surprisingly, many people believe peanut butter can be used in a pinch in place of a commercial lubricant or a can of WD-40 when you don't have any of those products on hand.
To lubricate the metal parts, simply place a spoonful of peanut butter on a clean rag and then work it in and around the parts. Move the parts back and forth so the peanut butter can slide into the joints. Wipe away any excess peanut butter using a paper towel. This hack works to fix squeaky door hinges, lawn mower blades, drawer slides, window tracks, and bicycle chains.
To make edible playdough for the kids
When it comes to a toddler's development, playdough is an essential tool for everything from improving fine motor skills to providing sensory input. Playdough also encourages a child's imagination and creativity while giving them the opportunity to problem-solve. An edible homemade playdough is best for little ones, as many kids have a tendency to put the playdough in their mouths. Help is at hand, as parents can make this type of playdough out of peanut butter.
Combine 1 cup of peanut butter and 5 tablespoons of maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and then stir until thick, adding ¾ cup of oat flour a little bit at a time, stirring as you go. Once combined, knead the dough for a few minutes before giving the homemade playdough to your toddler. If you want to color the playdough, a few drops of food coloring. Kids can also bake their creations and turn them into ornaments or family gifts.
To get rid of ants
Ants can quickly become a problem for homeowners, invading kitchens, pantries, and pet bowls. While commercial baits are effective, they often contain chemicals you may want to avoid bringing into your living space. Fortunately, there is a natural alternative that you can create yourself using peanut butter, Borax, and baking soda. Experts at the University of Hawaii say ants will be attracted to the smell of peanut butter, but when they feast on it, the Borax will cause them to dehydrate and die.
To make your peanut butter ant bait, place 1 tablespoon of peanut butter in a small mixing bowl. Add ½ teaspoon of Borax and a sprinkle of baking soda. Mix to combine, and then leave small mounds on a sheet of wax paper anywhere you've noticed ants coming or going from your home. Replenish the homemade ant bait every couple of days until you no longer see any ant activity.