ojai news at The Ojai Post :: blog, newspaper, events in Ojai, California

- as an ingredient in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments and other pharmaceuticals and low-grade cosmetics.
- in livestock vaccines, as an adjuvant to stimulate a cell-medicated immune response to the vaccinating agent.
- on eyelashes to prevent brittleness and/or breaking.
- in small quantities (2–3 drops daily) to clean ears. Over a couple of weeks, the mineral oil softens dried or hardened earwax so that a gentle flush of water can remove it. In the case of a damaged or perforated eardrum, however, mineral oil should not be used, as oil in the middle ear can lead to ear infections.
- for lubrication (???)
- as fuel, for items such as oil lamps.
- in electric mineral-oil–filled space heaters
- as a Coolant
- in Fog machines
- in some guitar string cleaners
- as an Automotive and aviation brake fluid that does not absorb water molecules by osmosis
- as a preservative for wooden cutting boards and utensils.
- to protect metal surfaces from moisture and oxidation.
- to periodically condition food-preparation butcher block surfaces.
- in textile industries and used as a jute batching oil.
- to darken soapstone countertops for aesthetic purposes.
- as a release agent for molds, especially in fiberglass casting.
- as a release agent for baking pans and trays.
- in the food industry (particularly for candy). Some studies suggest that prolonged use might be unhealthy because of low accumulation levels in organs. It has been discouraged for use in children's foods, though it is still occasionally found in candies in China and Canada.
- as a cleaner and solvent for inks in fine art printmaking as well as in oil painting, though turpentine is more often used.
- In the poultry industry, plain mineral oil can be swabbed onto the feet of chickens infected with scaly mites on the shank, toes, and webs. Mineral oil suffocates these tiny parasites.
- to remove henna used as a hair dye.
- to reduce a grease, oil, or asphalt stain on clothing. This may seem counter-intuitive, but is often effective, as the mineral oil dilutes and liquefies some of the stain thereby making it easier to clean out of the clothing.
- as a cooling system for a computer, by completely submerging the computer's motherboard and system components into an aquarium tank filled with mineral oil. The oil does not have any long term effect on the components. A video and instructions on building a mineral oil cooled computer can be found here.
- to create a "wear" effect on new clay poker chips, which, without the use of mineral oil, can only be accomplished through prolonged use of the poker chips. The chips are either placed in mineral oil (and left there for a short amount of time), or the oil is applied to each chip individually, and is then rubbed off, removing any chalky residue from the new chips, also improving the look and "feel" of the chips.
- to cover gummy worms for the glossy effect it produces.

the Material Safety Data Sheet for mineral oil rates its flammability as "Slight", and says that its flash point is 400 degrees F. since it's probably close to that hot today, i'd steer clear of downtown until the raging fireball of laxative/lubricant has burned off.