Olive oil has many surprising uses you would not expect. While it’s a staple in the kitchen used for cooking and salad dressings, its uses extend far beyond the culinary realm. From skincare to sticky residue removal, olive oil offers a range of benefits for your home.
Check out these 14 practical uses for olive oil that might change how you see this kitchen essential.
Renew Furniture
Bring back the shine of your wooden furniture with a simple and natural solution—olive oil. This kitchen staple is a moisturizer for lackluster wood surfaces, penetrating and nourishing them. For a homemade furniture polish, mix equal parts of olive oil and white vinegar in a jar, shake well, and apply the mixture to the wood along the grain. Gently buff away the excess, allowing the oil to moisturize and restore the wood’s luster while the vinegar prevents it from turning rancid.
Make Your Silverware Shine Again
Revive the shine of your silverware by using olive oil to polish away the tarnish. Make a cleaning paste of olive oil with baking soda and gently rub it onto the silverware. Rinse with warm water and pat it dry. This method will restore your silverware’s shine.
Remove Paint From Your Skin
After completing a painting project and discovering paint splatters on your skin, use olive oil to remove the paint without the need for harsh scrubbing. Rub a small amount of oil into your hands to loosen the paint or dissolve the grease, then wash with soap and warm water. This olive oil hack effectively dissolves the grease, leaving your hands or skin clean and soft.
Get Gum Out of Hair
For parents dealing with the inevitable scenario of gum stuck in their child’s hair, olive oil comes to the rescue. Apply a small amount to the affected area, let it sit for a minute, and then gently rub the hair to loosen the gum.
Restore Leather
Revitalize your leather goods, such as a sofa, boot, or handbag, by moisturizing them with a small amount of olive oil. Apply a modest quantity to a clean cloth and gently rub it into the leather.
Clear Sticky Tags and Residue
Sticky residue from labels, tape, or adhesives can be a pain. Olive oil can help break down the stickiness, making it easier to remove without damaging the surface.
Silence Squeaky Doors
Quiet those squeaky door hinges by using olive oil—it works just as well as WD-40.
Revive Cutting Boards
Revitalize your wooden cutting boards by generously applying olive oil. Allow the oil to soak in overnight to restore the wood’s moisture.
Heal Sunburn
Ease the discomfort of a sunburn by applying extra virgin olive oil to the affected areas.
Shine Stainless Steel
Polish stainless steel appliances and fixtures with a small amount of olive oil. The oil will leave a streak-free shine removing fingerprints and smudges.
Remove 24 Hour Eye Makeup
If you run out of eye makeup remover, grab some olive oil. Apply it to a cotton pad, and effortlessly wipe away your makeup.
Remove Water Marks
Olive oil is highly effective at removing water marks from your wood furniture. Whether a wooden coffee table or a dining room table, olive oil can help to remove water stains. Simply take a generous amount of warm olive oil and rub it on the stained area. Allow it to sit for a little while, and then wipe it away. You will be surprised to see how well this stuff works.
Soothe Dry Skin
If you have dry or cracked skin and feet that need some care, apply olive oil to it. It will act as a deep moisturizer.
Soften Lips
If your lips are feeling dry, apply a dab of olive oil to moisturize them. It’s just as effective as any lip balm.
10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)
Dryer sheets have earned their place as a laundry room essential, adding fresh scent and reducing static in our clothes. They’re appreciated for making laundry softer and more fragrant. But these sheets offer more than just laundry benefits. In fact, they can be quite handy around the house. Here are ten ways you use laundry sheets for more than just laundry.
10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)
WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House
For many of us, purchasing WD-40 is often prompted by the need to silence a squeaky door, only for the can to be shelved and forgotten. You’d be surprised to know that this well-known spray has numerous practical uses. Here are ten ways to make the most of WD-40 in your home.
WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House
18 Simple Cleaning Hacks with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are natural, non-toxic products that are excellent for cleaning. When the two products are combined, they result in a powerful cleaning agent that can eliminate the toughest dirt, stains, and grime. Here are 18 ways you can clean with baking soda and vinegar around the home.
18 Simple Cleaning Hacks with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
