Though it has long been a medicine-cabinet fixture, household uses for Vaseline—including furniture maintenance and DIY repairs—show that the petroleum jelly deserves a place in your toolbox, too.

While Vaseline is safe for consumption, it’s recommended for topical use only and shouldn’t be eaten. It also can emit flammable vapors if heated above 400 degrees, so it’s safe for hot ...

A decent pair of leather shoes can last a long time if you take proper care of them.If you don’t have any shoe polish on hand, however, you can use petroleum jelly—like Vaseline—as a substitute.