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Olive oil is more versatile than you might think. While it’s a go-to in the kitchen for cooking and salad dressings, its applications go well beyond food preparation. From skincare routines to removing sticky residue, olive oil is a valuable tool around the house. Here are 14 practical ways to use olive oil that might change your perspective on this everyday kitchen staple.
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
Olive oil can revive the shine of your silverware by polishing away the tarnish. Make a cleaning paste of olive oil and 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 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 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 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 and remove 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.
Related post: DIY Coffee Eye Mask to Help Sooth Undereye Puffiness
Remove Water Marks
Olive oil is highly effective at removing watermarks 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. 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.
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