10 brilliant uses for conditioner
Salvage a shrunken sweater
To save a sweater that got teeney in the dryer, soak it in a sink filled with warm water and 1 Tbs. of conditioner (1⁄3 cup for a wool sweater) for 30 minutes. Lay flat on a dry towel and roll the garment up in it to absorb water. Immediately unroll and gently tug all over the sweater. The conditioner’s oils will soften the fibers so you can stretch the sweater back to its original shape.
Pull a stuck ring off your finger
Next time your hands are swollen after a workout and you can’t get your ring off your finger, try this: Pour a small amount of conditioner on your finger, working it around the jewelry. The slick hair product will cut down on friction, making it easy to slide the ring right off. Phew!
Help makeup brushes stay soft
The easy way to keep your makeup brushes in tiptop shape? Reach for hair conditioner. To do: Clean the brush as usual, then add a dime-sized dollop of conditioner to your palm and work it into the bristles. Rinse the brush with water and let air-dry. The conditioner will moisturize the bristles just like it does your hair, keeping the brush smooth and flexible.
4 Nix Fido’s static electricity
You love spending evenings cuddled up with your pup, but at this time of year, the static in his fur gives you both a shock! To prevent the problem, mix 1 Tbs. of conditioner and 5 Tbs. of water in a spray bottle, then spritz on Fido’s fur, avoiding his face. The conditioner will neutralize the negative charges that cause static, so you can snuggle your dog all day.
Soften cuticles for pennies
If your nail beds are dry or cracked, skip pricey creams and work a drop of conditioner into cuticles, then soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. The conditioner will moisturize cuticles and make them supple, allowing you to use a cotton swab to gently push them back.
Make old boots look like new
Restore shine to dull leather boots with the help of conditioner. Simply use a soft cloth to buff a small amount of the product all over the surface of the shoes. Conditioner contains glossy polymers that moisturize the leather for a supple shine.
Unclog a slowdraining sink
Yikes! Every time you wash your hands in the powder room, the sink fills up with water. To clear the drain without calling a plumber, pour 1⁄4 cup of conditioner down it. Let sit for 20 minutes, then follow up with a pot of boiling water. The conditioner will break down and lubricate the blockage, then the hot water will flush it down the drain.
Painlessly remove a bandage
The little one in your life loves sporting a bandage with a colorful pattern. What he doesn’t love: the pain of pulling off the bandage! To ease his discomfort, rub a dime-sized amount of conditioner on the bandage and let sit for 1 minute, then peel it off. Oils in the conditioner will dissolve the adhesives in the bandage, allowing you to quickly—and painlessly— remove it. All better!
Silence a squeaky door in seconds
Your bathroom door lets out a loud screech whenever you open it—and you’re all out of WD-40. The substitute that works just as well: conditioner. Apply 1 tsp. of the product to a clean towel and rub it on the door’s hinges. Conditioner works as a lubricant, nixing friction and allowing the metal hinges to move quietly each time you open the door.
10 Ensure potted plants stay healthy
When the temperature drops, you like to bring the potted plants on your porch inside for the season. But household dust can settle on leaves, keeping them from absorbing sun. The save: Pour 1 tsp. of conditioner on a wet cloth and use it to wipe the leaves, taking care to avoid any flowers. The conditioner will leave behind positive ions that repel dust.