Historically, the olive branch has been a symbol for peace and victory supposedly deriving from the customs of ancient Greece. It meant supplication to both the gods and persons in power and is found in most cultures of the Mediterranean basin. It’s even present in the Bible.
Although it might seem strange to keep a bottle of Olive Oil in your bathroom or hallway closet, it doesn’t merely belong in the Kitchen -there are various other uses for this ancient oil other than cooking.
In this week’s entry, we will share 18 unexpected ways to use olive oil at home.
There is no need to use your Greek or Spanish Extra Virgin for these tasks, just grab a generic domestic oil to use around your house.
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Shine stainless steel and brass. Rub a bit of olive oil on a clean rag to prevent streaks, corrosion, and tarnish
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Wood Furniture Polish. Wipe with a teaspoon of olive oil and a soft rag. Add a bit of vinegar of citrus juice to bulk up the cleaning power, and add a fresh scent.
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Sub for Shaving. Olive oil makes a great substitute for shaving cream in a pinch! Just lather your legs with a bit of oil for a smooth shave with less razor burn.
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Control hair frizz. Comb a bit of olive oil through dry hair to tame the frizz and flyaways on humid days or in the winter.
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Free a stuck zipper by dipping a cotton swab in some olive oil and rubbing it over the teeth of the zipper. Work slowly and gently ease the zipper pull up or down.
6. Care for your kitty. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat’s food to help prevent hairballs, and provide a shiny coat.
7. DIY Lip balm. Mix olive oil and melted beeswax in a 1:1 ratio, with essential oil for fragrance, and say goodbye to dry and chapped lips.
8. Stop Snoring. Take a sip of olive oil before heading to bed. It might lubricate your throat muscles, and stop yourself, or your partner, from snoring.
9. Remove makeup. Dab a bit under your eyes, on your cheeks and forehead, then wipe with a damp cloth.
8. Slow Down Tarnish. Olive oil won’t stop silver from tarnishing but it will keep it shiny longer. Just a dab of oil on a soft cloth rubbed over polished silver will slow down the appearance of blemishes that brings on tarnish.
10. Cure an earache. Very carefully, use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax.
11. Remove paint from your skin. Rub on olive oil onto messy hand and arms (or faces) and allow the oil to soak into the skin for five minutes, then rinse with soap and water.
12. Fix a squeaky door. Use a rag or cotton swab to apply olive oil to the top of a problematic hinge in your home or automobile.
13. Shoe polish. Rub down your shoes with just a spray of olive oil to maintain their shine.
14. Soften your skin. Rub olive oil daily on notoriously dry areas, such as your feet or elbows, especially after a shower, shaving, or waxing.
15. Cure diaper rash. Gently wipe on olive oil to your baby’s bottom to help with the irritation of diaper rash.
16. Remove paint from hair. Dab some oil onto a cotton ball. Rub it gently into your mane to get rid of the paint.
17. Unstick a ring. Rub some olive oil on a ring that’s stuck. The oil will make it more slippery and it should slide off.
18. Remove Stickers: we got you, mums. Apply a bit of oil onto a label or sticker. Let sit a few minutes. The sticker should easily peel off, without leaving behind any residue. You’re welcome!
