Olive oil is a versatile ingredient that has far more uses around the home than you may realize. Here are 20 surprising ways to use olive oil to clean, beautify, and improve your home.
Fight Stubborn Zippers
Does your jacket or bag zipper constantly get stuck? Rubbing olive oil on the teeth of the zipper can help it glide smoothly again. The oil lubricates the zipper, allowing it to move easily.
Shine Stainless Steel and Brass
Olive oil’s antioxidants make it great for polishing stainless steel and brass fixtures around your home. Rub a small amount of oil on sinks, appliances, doorknobs or musical instruments using a soft cloth. The oil will gently clean while leaving behind a beautiful, streak-free shine.
Soothe Minor Scrapes and Burns
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, applying a small amount of olive oil to minor scrapes, burns or sunburns can help soothe the skin and promote healing. The oil forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface.
Tame Frizzy Hair
If humidity leaves your hair looking frizzy and out of control, warm a quarter-sized amount of olive oil in your hands and smooth through the ends of damp hair before blow drying. The oil will seal the hair cuticle to eliminate frizz and flyaways.
Condition Leather Goods
Rub a few drops of olive oil into leather purses, shoes, belts or jackets with a soft cloth to moisturize the material and prevent cracking. Use a circular motion to work the oil into the leather. Wipe away any excess.
Polish Wooden Cutting Boards and Furniture
Olive oil gently restores shine and luster to wooden cutting boards, utensils, furniture and more. Use a soft cloth to rub a tablespoon of oil over the surface of the wood. Let it soak in for 10-15 minutes, then buff to a glossy finish.
Lubricate Sticky Drawers and Doors
Those sticky dresser drawers driving you crazy? Rub olive oil on the tracks for a smooth glide. It also works wonders for squeaky door hinges and garage doors. The oil lubricates the moving parts for quiet, effortless motion.
Remove Lipstick Stains
Lipstick stains on clothes, table linens or coffee mugs are no match for olive oil. Apply a small amount to the stain, let it soak in for a few minutes, then launder as usual. The oil breaks down the pigments so the stain disappears.
Make Your Own Lip Balm and Skin Moisturizer
Olive oil is the perfect base for homemade lip balm and moisturizer. Simply mix a few tablespoons of olive oil with melted beeswax, essential oils and vitamin E oil. Store in small containers or reusable tins. Natural and affordable!
Prevent Mold on Wet Shower Curtains
To stop mold and mildew from growing on wet shower curtains, apply a thin layer of olive oil to the surface and allow it to penetrate the fabric. The oil prevents mold spores from taking hold and makes cleaning easier.
Remove Price Tag Adhesive Residue
Pesky price tag residue on new items can be a nuisance. Rubbing the stickiness with an olive oil-soaked cotton ball dissolves the adhesive so it wipes right off. No more scraping or harsh chemicals needed.
Remove Crayon Marks from Walls
Kids’ crayon masterpieces got you down? Pour a small amount of olive oil on a cloth and gently rub the crayon marks to dissolve the wax. The oil won’t damage paint or drywall so you can get surfaces clean without a lot of scrubbing.
Make Your Own Wood Furniture Polish
Whip up this all-natural wood furniture polish by combining 1 part olive oil and 1 part lemon juice in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Spray onto wood surfaces and wipe clean with a soft cloth for streak-free shine.
Lubricate Kitchen Shears and Knives
Keep your kitchen shears and knives operating smoothly by rubbing olive oil into the pivots and hinges. This prevents friction that can lead to difficult motion and dull blades over time. Reapply every few months.
Remove Rust from Tools
Rusty garden tools or hardware? Soak a cloth or paper towel in olive oil and rub it over the rusted surface to gently lift the rust away. The oil penetrates and breaks down the rust for easy removal.
Shine Houseplants’ Leaves
Bring a healthy shine to houseplant leaves by giving them an olive oil rubdown every now and then. Use a paper towel or soft cloth to gently spread a thin layer of oil over leaves. It restores luster and prevents future dust buildup.
Condition Hardwood Cutting Boards
Hardwood cutting boards need regular conditioning to prevent drying out. Every few weeks, rub the surface with olive oil and let it soak in for up to 30 minutes before wiping away any excess. This preserves the wood over time.
Remove Gum from Just About Anything
Forget freezing or scraping. Rubbing olive oil onto gum stuck on shoes, carpet, hair, or any other surface loosens the gum so it can be wiped away. No more pulling gum out strand by strand!
Clean Makeup Brushes
Remove makeup residue from brushes by combining a quarter cup of olive oil and a tablespoon of dish soap in a small bowl. Swirl brush bristles in the mixture, then rinse under warm water until the water runs clear. Air dry.
Conclusion
Olive oil is clearly so much more than a salad dressing or cooking oil. With its nourishing moisturizing properties and ability to dissolve adhesives and lift stains, olive oil has a diverse range of helpful uses all around the home. Keep a bottle on hand to tackle many cleaning, personal care and maintenance challenges in innovative, natural ways. With just a small amount of olive oil and a cloth, you can conveniently restore, beautify and organize many areas of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using Olive Oil Around the Home
How does olive oil compare to other oils for household uses?
Thanks to its antioxidant content and rich, nourishing properties, olive oil performs better than many other oils for household uses. It conditions surfaces very effectively. Coconut oil can also be used for some of these applications, but may leave more residue. Mineral oil lacks olive oil’s nourishing properties.
What grade of olive oil is best for household uses?
You don’t need top quality extra virgin olive oil for most household purposes. An inexpensive virgin olive oil works just fine for cleaning, conditioning and general maintenance uses. Save the high quality olive oil for cooking and consuming.
Can I substitute other oils if I don’t have olive oil on hand?
In most cases, you can substitute coconut oil or mineral oil if you don’t have olive oil available. However, olive oil offers unique benefits from its antioxidant content. Coconut oil may work better for some cleaning uses, while olive oil excels at conditioning leather, wood, etc.
Does olive oil leave behind an oily residue or stain surfaces?
When used properly in thin layers and buffed away, olive oil should not leave any oily residue or stains. Always apply it sparingly, wipe away excess, and test on a small area first if concerned about staining.
How often should I oil cutting boards and wood surfaces?
For heavy use cutting boards, apply olive oil once a week. For butcher blocks and wood surfaces, once every 4-6 weeks is sufficient to maintain the protective conditioning olive oil provides. Reapply anytime the surface looks dry.