Vicks VapoRub is such a common treatment for cold that almost every family keeps one in their medicine cabinet. But do you know that it has many uses other than treating a cold? Well, we’ve collected 20 bizarre but incredible uses of Vicks for you to make the best use of the left ointment!

1. Fake Tears

Actor or not, it’s difficult when you need to cry without feeling the mood. This simple fix of rubbing a tiny amount of VapoRub under your eyes can make those tears flow!

2. Cold Prevention

It may be what Vicks is normally used for, but you’ve probably been using it incorrectly. Instead of rubbing it on your chest and throat, you should apply it to your feet, because this will allow it to absorb and take effect quicker.

3. Ease Earaches

Although it’s not technically a treatment for earaches, placing a Vicks-covered cotton ball inside your ear can ease the pain and inflammation. And not to mention it looks kind of sleek like a new earplug.

4. Heal Cuts

As for cuts, there’s nothing worse than the discomfort of reopening a wound, which is sometimes even worse than the pain you experienced when the initial cut occurred. The antiseptic ingredients in VapoRub can prevent infection and accelerate the healing process.

5. Sore Muscles

Sometimes, it’s not hitting the gym that’s difficult, it’s the after soreness you feel the next day at work. You can soothe aches by rubbing some ointment into any sore muscles, and the cooling sensation will stop them feeling like jello!

6. Pet Training

Once your dogs have peed at a spot, they will keep doing it since they recognize their unique smell. If you put some Vicks on that area, it will cover up their familiar scent, which can be a life saver for your house or lawn!

7. Free From Dry Patches

It’s annoying to have dry patches on your face, even if you don’t have makeup to put on. Believe it or not, you can say goodbye to the discomfort by simply massaging Vicks into the affected areas.

8. Lose Belly Fat

Need some extra help to lose belly fat? You can do it by simply mixing 1 tbsp of baking soda, 1 tbsp of crushed camphor, 1 tbsp of alcohol and half a jar of Vicks. Apply the solution to your belly and wrap tight before doing aerobics. Remember to rinse it off afterwards and repeat the process for a month.

9. Horse Racing

Many breeders rub Vicks under their male racehorses’ nostrils to keep them focused. Otherwise, they may get distracted by female horses and attempt to follow the scent. No worries even during mating seasons with just a little bit of Vicks!

10. Treat Athlete’s Foot

If you’re too embarrassed to buy antifungal cream, Vicks may save you from suffering foot fungus issues. Before going to bed, apply some ointment to the affected area, and you’ll be free from athlete’s foot very soon.

11. Bug Repellent

Bugs really hate the smell of eucalyptus, which makes Vicks VapoRub such a strong and effective insect repellent. When going outdoors for camping or picnics, you only need to dab a bit on you to keep annoying bugs away.

12. Ease Joint Pain

It is a good idea for people who are prone to frequent joint pain, including bouts of “tennis elbow”, not just normal colds, to keep Vicks VapoRub a staple. Massaging the ointment into the inflamed area will relieve the pain in minutes.

13. Stop Naughty Cats

Scratching posts seem like the least favorite of your cats’ scratching spots. Somehow, they just love ruining your furniture. Who knows if they simply enjoy your helpless face when discovering the ruin. Next time, dab some Vicks on areas they would like to scratch, and it will be them who have helpless faces!

14. Reduce Bruises

For those who don’t see their bruises as badges of toughness, Vicks can be very helpful. It will draw blood away from the skin if you apply some to the bruised area, which will significantly reduce the coloration.

15. Cooking Burns

If you accidentally burn yourself when trying to prepare something nice for dinner, there’s no need to worry if you have some Vicks. Simply run the burn under cold water before soothing the sting with some ointment put onto the injured area.

16. Ease Headaches

Headaches and migraines can put you out of action for hours, and sometimes even for days. Confirmed by some sufferers, you can ease the pain and pressure by rubbing some ointment on the temples. Go seek professional advice if it’s too bad though.

17. Lip Balm

If you somehow run out of lip balm but really need it to fix your chapped lips, apply some Vicks VapoRub instead. The ointment will moisturize and soften those lips just like a lip balm.

18. Splinter

VapoRub can also be a good pain relief when removing a splinter. If you rub some on top of the affected area and then take it out with tweezers, the cooling sensation will ease the pain.