Uses for Baby Oil: 16 Slick Tricks for Home and Skin

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That bottle of baby oil in your bathroom cabinet is one of the cheapest multitaskers you can buy. It loosens sticky gunk, frees stuck zippers, shines chrome and softens dry skin, and a little goes a long way. Before you spend money on a specialty product for any of those jobs, try the bottle you already own.

Here is how to put baby oil to work, how much to use, and the few times you should reach for something else.

What is baby oil, and why does it work?

A small glass bottle of clear, pale oil with a cork stopper sits on a gray table beside dried blue flowers — Baby oil is a light, clear oil that spreads thin and goes a long way.

Baby oil is mostly mineral oil with a little fragrance added. Mineral oil is a clear, slippery oil refined from petroleum.

Two things make it so handy. It slips between surfaces, so stuck parts slide apart more easily. And it breaks down sticky, greasy residue such as gum and label glue, which water alone can’t budge. That is the whole secret behind most of the uses below.

Good to know

Every job here works with unscented baby oil, too. If fragrance bothers your skin, buy a fragrance-free bottle.

Sticky messes

1. Gum stuck in hair

A young boy in an orange sweatshirt stands with his back to the camera, looking up at rows of gumball and candy machines — A wall of gumball machines is hard for any kid to walk past.

Sooner or later, kids and gum find each other. Before you grab the scissors, work a few drops of baby oil into the gum and the hair around it. Give it a minute or two, then ease the gum down the strands using your fingers or a fine-tooth comb. Shampoo afterward, twice if needed, to wash out the oil.

2. Gum on skin

Wet a cotton ball with a little baby oil, then rub gently over gum stuck to a cheek, hand or arm. The gum should loosen and roll away. Wash the spot with soap and warm water.

3. Sticker and label residue

The threaded rim of an aqua glass canning jar catches the light, with raised lettering on its side — Glass jars are worth saving once the old label glue comes off.

Want to reuse a glass jar? Peel off as much of the label as you can, rub baby oil over the leftover glue and wait 5 to 10 minutes. The goo should wipe off with a paper towel. Wash the jar in hot, soapy water to remove the oily film.

Some surfaces shouldn’t get oily, such as paper, unfinished wood and fabric. For those, try heat instead. Warm the label with a hair dryer on low until the glue softens, then peel slowly.

4. Bandages that won’t let go

A tan fabric adhesive bandage rests on its opened paper wrapper atop a pile of unopened bandages on blue felt — A cotton ball soaked in baby oil helps adhesive bandages come off with far less pulling.

Soak a cotton ball in baby oil and press it along the edges of an adhesive bandage. After a minute, the bandage peels away with far less tugging. Kids who dread that first rip will thank you.

5. Paint on your hands

A child holds up an open hand painted pink, with each finger coated in a different bright color — Paint on skin lifts off more easily when you loosen it with a little baby oil first.

Dried latex paint lifts off skin more easily with baby oil. Rub it in with a paper towel, then scrub with soap and warm water. For oil-based paint, follow the cleanup directions on the can.

Things that stick or tangle

6. Knotted necklace chain

A gold tree-shaped pendant hangs on a fine chain beside other necklaces, casting shadows on a pale wall — Fine chains like these knot easily, and a drop of baby oil helps work the tangles loose.

Put a drop of baby oil on the knot and lay the chain flat on a paper towel. Use two straight pins or a sewing needle to tease the loops apart. The oil lets the links slide past each other instead of binding. Wash the chain in warm water with a drop of dish soap and dry it well. Skip this trick on pearls and other delicate stones.

7. Stubborn zipper

The chunky plastic zipper of a black quilted puffer coat runs down the center between padded squares — Chunky coat zippers glide more easily with a light swipe of baby oil along the teeth.

Dip a cotton swab in baby oil, run it along the zipper teeth, then move the pull up and down a few times. It is a big help on preschoolers’ coats, since little hands still learning to zip need all the help they can get. Wipe off any extra so it doesn’t stain the fabric.

8. Ring stuck on your finger

A black-and-white view of an open palm shows a textured silver band sitting snugly on the ring finger — A snug band is easier to twist off once the finger and ring are coated with a little oil.

Raise your hand above your heart for a few minutes, then coat the finger and ring with baby oil. Twist the ring gently, as if unscrewing a lid, while easing it toward your fingertip. Don’t force it, because pulling hard can make the finger swell more.

If your finger is swollen from an injury, has a cut or is changing color, skip the home tricks and get medical help.

Shine and polish

9. Chrome and stainless steel

A yellow microfiber cloth wipes the handle of a chrome bathroom faucet above a white sink with tile behind — A soft microfiber cloth with a few drops of oil buffs a chrome faucet to a shine.

Clean the surface first, since oil over grime only smears it around. Then dab a few drops of baby oil onto a microfiber cloth and buff away fingerprints and water spots on chrome faucets and stainless steel. Wipe with the grain and finish with a clean, dry cloth so it doesn’t feel greasy.

10. Leather shoes and bags

A pair of black leather lace-up boots stands on worn wood beside a shoe brush, a velvet buffing pad and a cloth — A brush, a soft cloth and a few drops of oil bring back the shine on smooth leather.

Brush off dust, then rub a few drops of baby oil into smooth leather with a soft cloth. Buff away whatever doesn’t soak in. Test a hidden spot first, because oil can darken some leather. Skip suede.

11. Shower doors

A clear glass shower door with a round chrome knob stands in a bright white bathroom beside a sink — A little baby oil on a damp cloth loosens soap scum and leaves glass shower doors shining.

A little baby oil on a damp cloth helps loosen soap scum on glass shower doors and leaves them shiny. Wipe off the leftover oil with a second cloth. Then check the tub or shower floor and clean up any drips right away, since an oily floor is a slip waiting to happen.

Skin and beauty

12. After-bath moisturizer

Smooth a few drops onto your skin while it is still damp from the bath or shower. Baby oil leaves a thin layer that helps hold moisture in. Step out carefully, because oily feet and a wet tub are a slippery mix.

13. Shaving

Out of shaving cream? A thin coat of baby oil helps a razor glide over your legs. Rinse the blade often, and wipe down the tub when you are done.

14. Cuticles and nail polish

A hand holding a fine brush paints small red hearts onto pink nails resting on a satin pillow — A little oil around each nail lets stray polish wipe right off the skin.

Rub a drop into your cuticles to soften them before you push them back. Before painting your nails, run a cotton swab with a little oil around the edges of each nail, so stray polish wipes off your skin. Keep the oil off the nail itself, or the polish won’t stick.

15. Makeup remover

Makeup brushes stand in holders on a vanity beside a glass bowl of cotton pads and a round mirror — A few drops of baby oil on a cotton pad take off even waterproof mascara.

Baby oil melts mascara, even waterproof kinds. Put a few drops on a cotton pad, hold it on your closed eyelid for a few seconds, then wipe gently downward. Keep the oil out of your eyes. If your skin breaks out easily, follow up with a gentle face wash.

Skip the baby oil tan

Baby oil has no sun protection at all. Slathering it on to tan faster was popular decades ago, but dermatologists warn it only speeds up sun damage and raises skin cancer risk. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher instead.

Baby care

16. Cradle cap

A yellow rubber duck floats in blue water beside a toy boat holding two stacked plastic cups — Bath time is the moment to shampoo out every bit of oil after a cradle cap treatment.

Cradle cap, those crusty yellowish scales on a baby’s scalp, usually clears up on its own within a few months, according to Nemours KidsHealth. You can help it along. If scales don’t loosen with shampoo alone, rub a small amount of mineral oil, such as baby oil, onto the scalp to soften them. Massage gently with a soft toothbrush or baby brush, then shampoo.

Wash all the oil out every time. Nemours says too much oil left behind can let scales build up and make cradle cap worse. Call your child’s doctor if it gets worse, seems itchy or uncomfortable, turns red, warm or pus-filled, comes with a fever of 100.4 F or higher, or lasts past a few months or beyond age 1.

Homemade baby wipes

Soft plaid flannel fabric in red, gold, green and navy stripes fills the frame in a close-up view — Soft cotton flannel, like this plaid, makes durable, washable homemade baby wipes.

Homemade wipes cost pennies, and you can make them from paper towels, baby washcloths or soft flannel. Old receiving blankets and outgrown flannel pajamas are perfect for cutting up.

If you buy new flannel, check the clearance section at the fabric store. Wash it in hot, soapy water and dry it before you cut, so it shrinks now instead of later. Iron it if it is very wrinkled, which makes cutting easier. Cut 9-inch squares, fold each edge over twice so no raw edge shows, then stitch it down so it won’t fray. From 2½ to 3 yards of 45-inch-wide flannel, you will get about 50 to 60 squares.

Makes 1 container of wipes

½ roll good-quality paper towels, or a stack of flannel squares or baby washcloths
2 cups boiled water, cooled until warm
2 tablespoons baby oil
2 tablespoons baby wash

Fold the paper towels or cloth squares and stack them neatly in an empty wipes tub or a zip-top bag.
Stir the water, baby oil and baby wash together until blended.
Pour the mixture over the stack and let it soak in.
Close the lid tightly. Mix small batches so they get used up quickly, and toss any wipes that smell off or show spots.

Use baby oil safely

Baby oil is gentle on skin, but it is not harmless if a child drinks it. Poison Control explains that baby oil is a hydrocarbon, a slippery liquid that can slide into the lungs when someone tries to swallow it. That can cause pneumonia and, in rare cases, death. Coughing, choking and fever are warning signs, and they can show up within a couple of hours.

Keep it out of reach

Close the child-resistant cap every time, store baby oil up high and never set an open bottle down near a toddler. If a child swallows any, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, even if they seem fine.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has required child-resistant packaging on many baby oils since 2002 for this very reason.

A few more cautions:

Floors and tubs: Oil makes hard surfaces slick. Wipe up spills and drips right away.
Fabric: Oil can leave stains. Keep it off clothes, carpet and upholstery, and pretreat any spot with dish soap before washing.
Kitchen jobs: Baby oil has added fragrance and isn’t meant for food. For cutting boards and wooden spoons, use food-grade mineral oil instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is baby oil the same as mineral oil? Almost. Baby oil is mineral oil with fragrance added. That fragrance is why plain, food-grade mineral oil is the better pick for anything that touches food.

Can I use baby oil on my face? Many people use it to take off makeup, especially stubborn mascara. Keep it out of your eyes, and wash your face afterward with a gentle cleanser if you are prone to breakouts.

Does baby oil help cradle cap? A small amount can soften stubborn scales before shampooing. Wash it all out afterward, because oil left on the scalp can make cradle cap worse.

Will baby oil remove sticker residue? Yes, on glass, metal and hard plastic. Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes, wipe away the goo and wash the item in soapy water. Use a hair dryer instead on paper, fabric or unfinished wood.

Is it safe to tan with baby oil? No. Baby oil offers zero sun protection and speeds up sun damage. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

What should I do if my child swallows baby oil? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, even if your child seems fine. Watch closely for coughing, choking or fever, which can mean oil reached the lungs.