Although efforts have been made to come up with renewable sources of energy, and environmentally-friendly solutions for everyday activities, we are still heavily dependent on petroleum for transportation fuels and heating oils. As a matter of fact, we have come to rely on it in a multitude of ways: from gas in our cars to fertilizers, pesticides, and even the clothes we wear. At the moment, global production of crude oil and natural gases has reached an incredible 83.6 million barrels a day, and considering that the Globe’s population is continuously increasing, the need for petroleum will also increase. Nevertheless, there will come a day when we won’t be able to rely on petroleum and we will have to come up with one, or more viable renewable resources to take over the responsibilities of petroleum. Until this happens, let’s take a look at the uses of crude oil and natural gas that you probably did not know about. (the list is scarily endless)

Unusual Uses for Petroleum-based Products

1. Cosmetics: As useful as cosmetics can be, they can also be very dangerous, because they contain toxic substances. Among these, we have to remind petroleum. Imagine how beautiful you are becoming as you rub millions of dead organisms and decayed mass all over your pretty face. Cosmetics, shampoos, conditioners and hair dyes include other substances like petrochemicals, perfumes, waxes, oils and metals.
2. Medicines: It may seem counter-intuitive to administer petrochemicals an petroleum based products to patients, but this substance has been used extensively in curing homeopathy. Some have actually found a connection between the rise of modern medicine and that of petroleum engineering. Because most medications are derived from benzene, which in turn is derived from petroleum, you can be sure that most pain medications are based on this petrochemical.

1. Synthetic Fabrics: Have you ever heard about nylon, spandex, rayon and polyester? All of these are made from synthetic fabrics. When I first heard that clothes are made from petrol, I was amazed. Apparently, petroleum based fibers are extremely durable and easy to maintain. Another aspect that made them so popular is the fact that they are a lot cheaper than natural fibers. According to major fashion houses, petroleum based clothes that don’t come in direct contact with your junk, can be very classy and durable. The list includes, but is not limited to curtains, couches, carpets etc.
2. Food: Even if you are trying your best to eat organic food, the chance of it being touched by the oil industry at some degree is extremely high. The reason for this is because oil helps the agriculture industry produce more food, cultivate faster and keep it fresh longer.

Unusual Uses for Petroleum Jelly

The common uses of oil and petroleum include fuels, jet fuel, synthetic rubber, plastic, asphalt and many others. Let’s talk a bit about petroleum jelly while we are at it. In 1959, a 22-year-old chemist by the name of Robert Chesebrough, accidentally discovered it in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Oil workers complained about a gooey substance (“rod wax”), which kept messing with their equipment. Ten years later, the chemist refined the original rod wax and created Vaseline. Besides its already popular uses (helping grow thicker eyelashes, protecting the skin from getting chapped, fix stuck locks etc.) there are also other extremely useful uses of petroleum jelly:

1. It can remove lipstick stains from fabric, by directly applying it and rubbing off.
2. It can remove water marks from wood, get rid of ring marks from a table, by wiping it.
3. You may not have known about this, but petroleum jelly can be applied to dry feet before sleep, to treat them.
4. Add petroleum jelly to the bottom of your plunger before unclogging the toiler, and it will improve the performance of the tool.
5. As you probably already know, it can be used on stuck locks, to lubricate the inner tumblers.
6. Perfume scents last longer when petroleum jelly is applied on pressure points.
7. You can also apply it to pet food bowls to create a protective barrier. Additionally, it can keep paint of your hands.

We hope you enjoyed our list, and if you have your own uses for petroleum based products and petroleum jelly, feel free to share.