How to Use Coconut Oil – 20 Uses for Coconut Oil

Are you utilizing that jar of coconut oil to its full potential? I bet you didn’t know that you didn’t know all of these ways how to use coconut oil!

How to Use Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has many benefits. Of course, coconuts have been around forever but using them in all of their forms has been increasing in popularity over the last few years.

I’ve already posted many different DIY projects and ideas that use coconut oil but today I’ve decided to share 20 Coconut Oil uses that you probably didn’t know about. If you do know of some of these uses, this is a good reminder to continue including coconut oil in your everyday life.

It’s so handy to have coconut oil around the house and here are some reasons why…

Coconut Oil Use #1 – Coconut Oil for frying and baking

One of my personal favorites is using coconut oil as a substitute for butter or margarine. It’s a healthy alternative and it still adds that yummy fat to whatever you are frying. Add a tablespoon to your pan, for frying various goodies, you can also “deep fat fry” in coconut oil.

Coconut Oil Use #2 – Salad or food dressing

If you get the liquid coconut oil you can use it as a salad dressing. Try replacing the vegetable oil with liquid coconut oil in my recipes for Dorthy Lynch Dressing or in my Homemade French Dressing.

Coconut Oil Use #3 –  A coconut oil energy booster

Since coconut oil contains good fats, you can use them to make “fat bombs” to give your afternoon a little energy boost. I don’t have any recipes posted here yet but you should be able to find some by doing a web search.

Coconut Oil Use #4 – Coffee cream

Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your morning coffee, it gives it a kick of creamy without adding any dairy. I’ve also used coconut oil as the creaminess in my Herbal Tea Latte.

Coconut Oil Use #5 – Create a non-stick surface

Grease your pans with coconut oil! We like to re-season our cast iron pans with it. I’ve also used it many many times to grease my baking pans as well.

Coconut Oil Use #6 – Homemade Coconut Oil Lotion

Coconut oil has many uses for your body as well as your cooking. It is a great moisturizer and can be used as a lotion on your skin, it will keep it smooth and silky. At Little House Living, we have a wonderful, natural Homemade Coconut Oil Lotion that you can try out at home:

Coconut Oil Use #7 – Coconut Oil Toothpaste

I’ll admit that I haven’t tried this one yet but I have seen the idea for it floating around the internet. Has anyone tried it before?

Coconut Oil Use #8 – Makeup remover

Coconut oil is such an effective method to take off your makeup, put about a teaspoon onto your face, massage it in and use some warm water to wet a cloth and wash it off your face. It leaves the skin on your face feeling soft and smooth, do it before bedtime or include it into your morning routine. This may not work for all skin types but it works for me. I do like to pat off the excess oil with a dry towel after applying though.

 

Coconut Oil Use #9 – Coconut Oil Hair conditioner

Looking for an affordable way to save on buying hair conditioner? I’ve used coconut oil as a conditioner and it leaves my hair so silky smooth. You don’t need to use it all the time, but a nice coconut oil treatment once in a while will do wonders. This is a natural alternative guaranteed to leave your hair feeling super soft and shiny! (Not for use on greasy hair.)

Coconut Oil Use #10 – Coconut Oil deodorant

If you’re not into super scented fragrances or seeking a more natural, and light-scented fragrance, use coconut oil deodorant, you can add other essential oils like lavender to it and there you have it. A natural fragrance! Here’s how we make Homemade Deodorant.

Coconut Oil Use #11 – Hard lotion

While the recipe linked above makes a nice whipped soft lotion, I usually prefer a hard lotion that I can simply rub in my skin. These Lotion Bars made with coconut oil are my favorite lotion that I make.

Coconut Oil Use #12 – Use it to fight off dandruff and dead skin cells

If you have dry hair or struggling with dandruff, massage some coconut oil into your hair, it gets greasy…just a heads up, if you can stand the greasiness of it, leave it overnight under a hair cap, but half an hour should do the trick as well. This will help your hair heal and doing this at least twice a week for a few weeks will help strengthen your hair and get rid of dandruff.

Coconut Oil Use #13 – Coconut oil as a massage oil

All-natural, not too scented, no harmful toxins…It’s pretty great massage oil and of course, you can add any other of your favorite essential oils to it if you want to.

Coconut Oil Use #14 – Shaving cream

You can use whatever razor you like when you’ve learned to make your own shaving cream. You can make an ultra soothing Homemade Shaving Cream with coconut oil and a few other ingredients. I just recommend using out of the shower so you don’t slip.

Coconut Oil Use #15 – Use it for skin disorders

If you suffer from a skin disorder like Eczema, a little coconut oil can relieve any skin irritation. Always consult your doctor as needed. There is a great recipe for an eczema lotion using coconut oil and other ingredients in my book: Little House Living.

Coconut Oil Use #16 – Skip razor burn

If you suffer from razor burn or just have super dry skin after you shave, you have to make this incredibly easy Homemade Aftershave Lotion with coconut oil.

Coconut Oil Use #17 – Insect repellent

Avoid bug bites and stings, by using coconut oil as a carrier oil when applying other insect-repelling oils such as citronella to your skin.

Coconut Oil Use #18 – Coconut cuticles

Naturally, if something is good for your hair and skin, then chances are…It’ll be good for your nails too! Massage some coconut oil on your hands and feet, and to your cuticles, it will help them heal and prevent hangnails. Your ultimate ingredient for a happy spa day at home.

Coconut Oil Use #19 – Remove stains with Coconut oil

That’s right, got a carpet stain? Mix one part of coconut oil with one part baking soda, apply to stain, leave for 5 minutes, and wipe away! Be sure and test on a small spot of carpet first to make sure it will be ok with your carpet type and color.

Coconut Oil Use #20 – Hair Mask

Coconut Oil can be used to make a simple hair mask! Try this tutorial for a Homemade Coconut Oil Hair Mask.

Coconut Oil Use #21 – Shiny and polished furniture

Last but not least, coconut oil doesn’t just help your hair and skin look shiny, but your furniture too. It brings out the best in natural wood and has a pleasant aroma. Use the liquid coconut oil for this and mix with a bit of lemon juice. Spray or wipe onto a surface for a special shine. Wipe off any excess oil and be sure and only try on a small area first.

If you love these ideas, share which is your favorite with me. Don’t forget to share this article with your coconut oil-loving friends and family members!

What do you use coconut oil for?