Clever coconut oil; window-cleaning tips

In addition to coconut oil’s natural health benefits and endless uses for cooking, it is also a versatile and non-toxic product to have on hand elsewhere around the home.

SKINCARE

Just add sugar to coconut oil to make a great body scrub. Or add bicarbonate of soda to it to make your own toothpaste (coconut oil is anti-bacterial). It’s also a good make-up remover and a moisturising aftershave lotion.

MAKE-UP BRUSH CLEANER

Rub coconut oil into make-up brushes, then wipe on kitchen paper until clean. The oil will condition the brushes and it’s also anti-bacterial.

WOOD POLISH

Coconut oil can be used as a wood treatment, too. It will nourish wood and help remove any scuffs or marks. Rub in with a clean cloth, and buff with a second cloth.

CAKE RELEASE OIL

Coat baking tins generously with coconut oil before pouring in cake batter. Baked cakes will slide out of the tin with no fuss.

DASHBOARD TREATMENT

Use coconut oil to clean the dashboard and other surfaces inside your car.

WD40 REPLACER

Use coconut oil on the hinges of stiff or squeaky doors instead of WD40. It will also help unstick zips and bike chains.

LABEL REMOVER

Peel off as much of the label as you can, then apply a solution of coconut oil and bicarbonate of soda (equal parts). Leave it for a few minutes, then scrub off and wash the glass or plastic in hot soapy water.

LEATHER POLISH

Coconut oil is a fabulous way to clean leather furniture or shoes and recondition the material. First, rub in the coconut oil with a soft, clean cloth in a circular pattern, leave it for a few minutes, then shine with a second soft cloth.