Surprising Uses for Peanut Butter


Researcher/writer for the site LifeHacks (www.lifehack.org), Allison Renner, shared some interesting information on different ways to use peanut butter, besides making a PBJ sandwich. If any of these inspire you, then you might want to pick up an extra big jar of the stuff next time you’re at the store!

First, though, a note regarding peanut allergy: Most of these methods will work with a replacement—almond or sunflower seed butters, for instance. It’s the natural oils that are doing all the work.

1.


SHAVING CREAM. All out? Just smear on a thin layer of smooth peanut butter and shave as you normally would. The oils in the peanut butter keep the razor from nicking face or legs, while also acting as a moisturizer!

2. MEDICATION DISGUISER. If you have a stubborn child, or a pet too smart for his own good, use a spoon full of peanut butter to conceal a pill they need to take. The peanut butter will hide the pill and the taste!

3.


LEATHER CLEANER. Doesn’t matter if it’s smooth or creamy. Just put a small amount on a soft cloth and rub it in a circular motion over the surface of your leather furniture, shoes, purses, and more! Its natural oils do a good job of cleaning and shining leather.

5. ODOR ELIMINATOR. After cooking anything that leaves a less-than-pleasant odor, put a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter in the frying pan (once your dinner has been taken out!) and fry it for a minute or two.

6.


SQUEAK ELIMINATOR. Put the WD-40 or another lubricant away and apply a bit of peanut butter. The natural oils work just as well as any lubricant you can buy at the hardware store.

7. LUBRICANT. Just as peanut butter’s oils eliminate squeaks, they also act as a lubricant for things around your house and shed—lawn mower blades, saws, and other tools. This is handy because you might not have lubricant in the house, but you more than likely will have peanut butter.

8. GUM REMOVER. Whether it’s in someone’s hair, the carpet, on clothes or upholstery, just rub a little peanut butter over the gum, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it all away with a cloth.

9. GLUE REMOVER. If you ever end up with this stuff on your hands, rather than scrubbing them raw with soap, or using a chemical to slough it off, use peanut butter. Again, it’s peanut butter’s natural oils that do the work, and peanut butter washes right off. This solution works for other glue-covered surfaces as well.

10.


PRICE STICKER and LABEL REMOVER. Smear a little peanut butter on any sticky residue that’s hanging around after you’ve tried to remove a price sticker or jar/bottle labels; just rub it off with a cloth. Viola!

11. WINDSHIELD CLEANER. Peanut butter will remove those stubborn bug spots on your car windshield. Rub it on, let it sit for ten minutes, and spray it off with a hose.

12. WOOD SCRATCH HIDER. Apply smooth peanut butter on any wood scratch and let it soak in for thirty minutes to an hour. Rub it away with a cloth and the scratch will be almost impossible to see!

13.


CD/DVD SCRATCH FIXER. If your CD or DVD keeps skipping, or won’t play, rub a little smooth peanut butter onto the scratch and wipe it away with a soft, dry cloth.

15. BUTTER SUBSTITUTION. If you run out of butter while cooking, substitute the same amount of smooth peanut butter (and the recipe will gain a delicious, nutty taste as well).

16.


ICE CREAM CONE SEALER. Before filling your cone with ice cream, put a dollop of peanut butter in the bottom. This prevents soggy bottoms from the melting ice cream, and you’ll have a yummy treat when you get to the bottom of the cone!

17. PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES IN A JIFFY! Ok, so this isn’t a surprising use for peanut butter, but maybe the recipe is! Mix one cup of smooth peanut butter, one cup of sugar, and one egg. Cook them at 350° for 10-12 minutes, and they’re done!

18.


POPCORN FLAVORING. Liven up plain popcorn:

½ cup sugar

½ cup honey

½ cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

1 teaspoon salt

1 batch popped popcorn

Boil sugar and honey together. When melted, add peanut butter and salt. Toss popcorn in this mix until it’s completely covered. Let it cool and enjoy!



Add Recipe to Cook'n


Sources:
  •   www.emgn.com
  •   www.hooks-and-books.livejournal
  •   www.lollipuff.com
  •   www.huffingtonpost.com
  •   www.littlethings.com
  •   www.piniterest.com

    Alice Osborne
    Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
    Email the author! alice@dvo.com


blog comments powered by Disqus