14 surprising uses of peanut butter

Peanut butter is a versatile and delicious staple, so it's easy to see why so many people stock it in their pantries. As an ingredient, it's versatile and delicious. You can use it as a dip for your veggie sticks, or whip up a delicious satay sauce or some indulgent cookies. But do you know about the ton of other ways you can use it around your house?

After seeing all of the following uses, you just might want to store some more of this sweet treat in your pantry. Keep reading for 14 surprising other uses for peanut butter.

1) Remove chewing gum. The oil in peanut butter helps to unstick chewing gum from under tables, on the floor, or in your hair.

2) Make medication more appealing. Peanut butter is the perfect way to conceal medication for pets or even children.

3) Make a DIY bird feeder. This is a classic. Roll a pine cone in peanut butter, roll it again in birdseed, and then hang it outside in a tree. Birds absolutely love it, and the oils and protein in the peanut butter help them to survive the winter.

4) Remove bug stains from your car. The Ready Store lists plenty of ways you can use peanut butter to clean, but the best one is this: Rub some into your car windscreen and other areas affected by stubborn bug splatters. Leave it for a few minutes, then wash it off.

5) Make a smoothie. The peanut butter sandwich has long been a favorite, but for a delicious drink with an extra hit of protein, make a smoothie with peanut butter. Find some fantastic recipes here.

6) Remove adhesive labels. The oils in peanut butter help to remove the gummy glue on adhesive labels, according to Reader's Digest.

7) Clean your hands. LifeHack suggests using peanut butter to clean sticky glue residue from your hands.

8) Make your own ice cream. Epicurious has an amazing recipe for a three-ingredient peanut butter ice cream, and it doesn't require any special equipment. Find their ice cream recipe (and other wonderful ways to use peanut butter) here.

9) Catch mice. Don't believe the age-old myth that mice love cheese. LifeHack suggests that you try smearing peanut butter on your mouse traps instead! Apparently, they love it.

10) Clear out bad smells. Fry a little bit of peanut butter in a pan to eliminate old cooking smells from your house.

11) Fix scratched CDs. Care2 suggests rubbing a little smooth peanut butter into a scratched CD and then wiping it clean with a dry cloth. It works like a charm!

12) Use in place of regular butter. Peanut butter offers similar properties as regular butter -- lots of lovely oils that tie other flavors together and moisten baking. Where the flavors allow it, use a scoop of peanut butter instead. Add it to your chocolate brownies or other baking projects if desired, or add it to a savory sauce.

13) Leak-proof your ice cream cone. This suggestion is particularly delicious. Pack a little bit of peanut butter into the bottom of your cone before scooping in the ice cream to prevent the ice cream from leaking out of the bottom -- it'll also be a delicious little surprise for whoever gets to enjoy it!

14) Make frozen treats. Peanut butter freezes well and has a delicious, fudge-like consistency when frozen. Many recipes exist for no-bake treats made with peanut butter (some healthy, some indulgent). Here's a delicious recipe from The Food Network.

Peanut butter is a delicious and nutritious treat, but it's healthiest to buy the kind that has no added salt or sugar (don't worry, it's still delicious). If you enjoy the crunchy variety best, then keep an extra jar of smooth peanut butter in the pantry for your DIY jobs!