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Compounds and Cleaning · Compound · Inert moisture barrier

Petroleum Jelly

An inert, waterproof barrier. It protects and seals skin, keeps air and water off metal to stop rust, and makes reliable cotton-ball fire starters.

INDEFINITEMULTI-USEHazardousWorks without power

Quick facts

Property
Waterproof barrier
Form
Soft jelly
Hazard class
Low; flammable melted
Shelf life
Indefinite
Storage
Any sealed container
What to avoid
High heat, open flame

See everything petroleum jelly must never touch

What it's good for

Skin barrier

Protects and seals skin

Rust prevention

Coats metal

Fire starters

Cotton-ball starters

Lubrication

Light seal and grease

Inert and waterproof, so it neither reacts nor lets water through, which is why it guards skin and blocks rust.

Good to know

It seals, it does not heal. Petroleum jelly works by occlusion, sealing a surface so the water already in skin cannot evaporate, and that trapped moisture is what lets a wound stay supple and mend. The same seal keeps air and water off metal so rust never starts. Inert on the shelf, it becomes a flammable oil when melted, which is exactly why a jelly-soaked cotton ball lights so readily.

Handling and safety

It seals, not heals

It locks in moisture and blocks irritants but does not itself heal wounds.

A top fire starter

Worked into a cotton ball it lights easily and burns for minutes.

Protects metal

A thin film keeps air and water off tools to prevent rust.

Flammable when melted

Heat it gently and keep it away from open flame.

Eight jobs it does

  • Wound and burn moisture barrier
  • Fire starter in cotton balls
  • Lip balm and skin protectant
  • Lube for tools and firearms
  • Anti-chafe for feet and straps
  • Rust prevention on bare metal
  • Squeaky hinge and lock lube
  • Seal gaskets and O-rings

If it goes bad Does not spoil. May thin in heat. Stir back together.

Recipes for petroleum jelly

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What is petroleum jelly used for?

Petroleum jelly is an inert, waterproof barrier. It protects and seals skin, coats bare metal to prevent rust, makes cotton-ball fire starters, and works as a light lube for tools, firearms, hinges, and locks. It also prevents chafing and seals gaskets and O-rings.

How long does petroleum jelly last in storage?

Petroleum jelly keeps indefinitely and does not spoil. It may thin in heat, and if that happens you can stir it back together.

How do I store petroleum jelly?

Any sealed container works. Keep it away from high heat and open flame, because it becomes a flammable oil when melted. If it thins in heat, stir it back together.

Keep going

Read nextNeutralize small acid spills with baking sodaBattery acid and household chemical spills create dangerous surfaces that can burn skin and corrode materials on contact.Compounds and Cleaning · Formula

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Compounds and Cleaning · CompoundSource: Prepper's Chemical Survival Guide, Chapter 18, p. 104 · Last reviewed 2026-09-18

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