Did you know peanut butter is good for more than just sandwiches? Here’s a list of twenty surprising uses for peanut butter. Make sure you pick up a big jar next time you’re at the store! By the way, if you have a peanut allergy, most of these methods will work with a replacement. Try sunflower seed butter, because it’s usually the natural oils doing all the work.
1. Shaving cream
If you’re all out of shaving cream, never fear! Smear on a thin layer of smooth peanut butter and shave as you normally would. The oils in the peanut butter keep the razor from nicking your face or legs, and also acts as a moisturizer!
2. Distributing medication
If you have a stubborn child, or a pet too smart for his own good, use a spoon full of peanut butter to conceal a pill they need to take. The peanut butter will hide the pill and the taste!
3. Leather cleaner
Use smooth or creamy peanut butter to clean up your leather furniture, shoes, purses, and more! Put a small amount on a soft cloth and rub it over the leather surface in a circular motion. The natural oils in the peanut butter will clean and shine your leather.
4. Mouse trap bait
What do you put at the end of a mouse trap? Cheese, right? Because mice love cheese! Wrong. That’s what cartoons have made you believe, but, in reality, mice aren’t big fans of cheese. They do, however, love peanut butter. (Can you blame them?) Put a big spoonful at the end of a humane mousetrap, and you’ll get them out of your house in no time!
5. Roach motel
While we’re talking about critters invading your home, how about those pesky roaches? You’re probably thinking you don’t want to share your peanut butter with roaches, and that’s fine! When you’ve finished up your jar, take off the lid and put the jar in its side. Place it wherever you’ve noticed roaches, spiders, and other bugs. The bugs will crawl into the jar to eat the peanut butter, but their legs will stick. When it’s full, put the lid back on and throw those critters in the trash!
6. Ant bait
Instead of buying chemical-laden ant bait, make some yourself using simple ingredients you have at home. Mix two teaspoons of peanut butter, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and a teaspoon of borax. Apply it wherever you’ve noticed ants coming in to your home. Be sure to keep your pets away from this bait, though.
7. Odor eliminator
After cooking fish for dinner, your house smells fishy for days! Why don’t any air fresheners cover up that stench? Guess what works perfectly. That’s right–peanut butter! Put a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter in the frying pan (once your dinner has been taken out!) and fry it for a minute or two.
8. Squeak eliminator
Instead of using WD-40 or another lubricant on squeaky hinges or drawers, try applying a bit of peanut butter. The natural oils work just as well as any lubricant you can buy at the hardware store.
9. Lubricant
Similar to how peanut butter’s oils can eliminate squeaks, they can also act as a lubricant for other things around your house and shed. You can use it on lawn mower blades, saws, and a variety of other tools. This is handy because you might not have lubricant in the house, but you more than likely will have peanut butter.
10. Gum remover
Kids and gum are a dangerous mix, and it’s inevitable that they’ll get gum in their hair, or in the carpet, or on their clothes. Regardless of the surface, rub a little peanut butter over the gum, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it all away with a cloth.
11. Glue remover
If you’re making crafts or doing a project that requires a lot of glue, you’re bound to get it all over your hands before you’re finished. Instead of scrubbing your hands raw with soap, or using a chemical to slough off the glue, use some peanut butter. The natural oils will loosen the glue, so it washes right off. This solution works for other glue-covered surfaces as well.
12. Price sticker removal
No matter how carefully you try to peel off a price sticker, it seems to always leave behind sticky residue. Just smear a little peanut butter on the sticky area and rub it off with a cloth. Viola!
13. Windshield cleaner
It seems like nothing short of a hard scrub will loosen those bug remains off of your windshield after a road trip. Peanut butter to the rescue! Rub some peanut butter into those stubborn spots and let it sit for ten minutes. Spray it off with a hose, and not only is the peanut butter gone, but so are the bug carcasses!
14. Wood scratch repair
For those scratches on your wooden furniture, doorjambs, bannisters, and more, try some peanut butter. Apply smooth peanut butter on the scratch and let it soak in for thirty minutes to an hour. Rub it away with a cloth and the scratch will be almost impossible to see!
15. CD/DVD scratch repair
If you have a CD or DVD that keeps skipping, or won’t play, rub a little smooth peanut butter onto the scratch and wipe it away with a soft, dry cloth.
16. Bird feeder
You probably remember this one from summer camp! Cover pinecones with peanut butter, roll them in birdseed, and hang them up in your yard. Watch the birds come stock up on food this winter!
17. Butter substitute
If you run out of butter while cooking, use the same amount of smooth peanut butter. This will also give your recipe a delicious, nutty taste.
18. Ice cream cone sealant
Before loading up your cone with ice cream, put a scoop of peanut butter in the bottom. It will keep melting ice cream from dripping out of the bottom, and will be a yummy treat when you get to the bottom of the cone!
19. Peanut butter cookies
Ok, so this isn’t a surprising use for peanut butter, but it’s surprisingly simple! And the best part is, this cookie recipe doesn’t call for much more than peanut butter, and will more than likely be the best one you’ve ever tasted! Mix one cup of smooth peanut butter, one cup of sugar, and one egg. Cook them at 350° for 10-12 minutes, and they’re done!
20. Popcorn flavoring
Liven up your plain popcorn with this delicious topping. Boil 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of honey. Next, add in 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter, with a teaspoon of salt to bring out the flavor. Toss your popcorn in this mix until it’s completely covered. Let it cool and enjoy! You can use crunchy peanut butter if you want a crunchier treat.
21. Moisturize your hair
It might sound icky, but you can massage peanut butter right onto your scalp to moisturize your hair! Follow it up with shampoo, and be amazed at how shiny your hair can be.
