Frugal Alert: How to Use Hair Conditioner Around the House

Being a frugal, coupon clipping consumer allows me to buy the cosmetic and household staple of hair conditioner at a price of free to 99¢. Any brand is fine for the ways you can use it. None of these applications involve washing your hair with conditioner.

When you have collected several bottles, you can leave them around the house for your various chores. Hair conditioner prevents rust on tools. Rubbing the tools with conditioner keeps them clean and rust-free. Houseplants with large leaves sometimes get dusty. Use conditioner to clean and shine the leaves. Just squeeze a little bit of conditioner on a soft cloth and rub the leaves to make them shiny.

Your shoes can last longer in winter's bad weather by utilizing conditioner as a salt repellent. Lather your boots or shoes with hair conditioner whenever they start to show white salt residue. You can also use it as a leather conditioner.

Silver and stainless steel polish can be pricey. Use your hair conditioner to clean steel faucets, chrome fixtures, golf clubs or any other items that needs polishing. Use a soft cloth to rub it on. Then rub off with a clean cloth and you'll be amazed at how your things sparkle.

Zippers that get stuck will slide easily with a little dab of conditioner rubbed along the zipper teeth. It also works on stuck rings if you rub you finger with it. Hair conditioner works wonders on stubborn windows. Just apply a generous amount to the tracks of the window and you'll be able to open and close it easily.

Tired of paying a fortune to dry clean your silk garments? Try this cleaning method and spend your money on more clothes! Add a tablespoon of hair conditioner to a sink full of water (use warm water for whites and cold water for your colors). Submerge the garment in the water and let it sit there for a few minutes. Then remove, rinse and hang it up to dry. You'll find that the conditioner makes your clothes soft and silky.

There are many ways you can use hair conditioner as a substitute for other cosmetic items. Try it as a make up remover. Name brand make up can cost several dollars for a small jar. Use hair conditioner as shaving cream. I've seen shaving cream at the supermarket for over $2 a can. Or if you prefer actual shaving cream, you can rub conditioner on your legs after you shave as a lotion. Use it to soften dry cuticles and condition your nails.

I've only touched the surface of the hundreds of applications for hair conditioner. It can be considered a multi-use household product similar to petroleum jelly.