I always have these items in my apartment and, unless you have an allergy to any of them, you should too. These multipurpose items could potentially save you some serious cash with their everyday uses.

Photo: Devonnie Black
Photo: Devonnie Black

Coconut Oil

  • Oil pulling: I put about a tablespoon of coconut oil in my mouth and swish it around for 10-15 minutes. Oil pulling is a great way to rid your mouth of any bacteria and germs because they stick to oil and you spit it out. There are also plenty of articles all over the internet about the benefits of oil pulling. Using coconut oil just makes the process a bit tastier.
  • Makeup remover: I prefer to use an oil like this to remove my makeup with ease — no tugging or pulling on your sensitive facial skin required.
  • Body, hair and scalp moisturizer: I can’t say enough good things about what coconut oil does to my skin! Sometimes, I melt it and put it in a bottle with a nozzle to really concentrate the oil on my scalp. It also helps when I deep condition my hair with coconut oil.
  • Cooking: Does this even need an explanation? I love sautéeing veggies in a tiny bit of coconut oil along with fresh herbs.
multipurpose
Photo: Devonnie Black

Baking Soda

  • Toothpaste: As a kid I hated when my dad made us brush our teeth with this stuff. As an adult, I can’t get enough. Baking soda can help eliminate surface stains and make your teeth appear whiter. It also helps with your pH balance for those making the conscious effort to increase their alkalinity.
  • Deodorizer: Keep a box of this in your pantry or fridge to keep them smelling fresh and not like a gym bag.
  • Laundry: Toss 1/2 to one cup in with your load. You can also sprinkle a bit on your rugs, let it sit and then vacuum them for clean, fresh rugs.
  • DIY veggie wash: Scrub your veggies with a bit of baking soda to clean them without buying expensive fruit and veggie washes.
Photo: Devonnie Black
Photo: Devonnie Black

Vinegar

  • Fruit fly deterrent: Have fresh fruits and veggies sitting out? Keep one cup of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dishwashing soap in a bowl to keep fruit flies away. I sometimes cover the mixture tightly with saran wrap and make some holes to attract the bugs.
  • Wash cutting boards: Water and soap aren’t always your best friends when it comes to washing. I alternate between using vinegar or coarse sea salt and a bit of water to really clean my wood cutting board and get rid of bacteria.
  • Repurpose glass jars: Call me a hoarder, but I love saving used candle and pasta jars. What I don’t love is the label and adhesive they leave behind, so I scrub the glass with vinegar to break up the adhesive and remove the paper. Bam! fresh new jar for all your hoarding organizing needs!

There are hundreds of uses for these three products combined. The lists are endless. What other uses do you have for these multipurpose items? Any other pantry staples?