Polyethylene glycol is used commercially in numerous applications, such as surface-active agents, in food, in cosmetics, in pharmacy, in biomedicine, as dispersing agents, as solvents, in ointments, in suppository bases, as excipients in tablets and as laxatives. Polyethylene glycol and added electrolytes are used for bowel preparation before surgery or colonoscopy.

PEG is used as an excipient in many pharmaceutical products. Lower molecular weight variants are used as solvents in oral liquids and softgels, while solid variants are used as ointments, tablet bases, binders in film coatings, and lubricants. PEG is also used in eye lubrication drops.

It is used in a number of toothpastes as a dispersant. In this application, it binds the water and helps keep the xanthan gum evenly distributed throughout the toothpaste.

In low molecular weight formulations (eg PEG 400) it is used in some printers (HP) as an ink solvent and lubricant for print heads. It attracts and retains moisture from the atmosphere. Replaces other hygroscopic materials such as glycerin and propylene glycol. PEG is also one of the main ingredients in bullets used in paintball.