That bottle of olive oil in your kitchen cupboard is more useful than one might think! Besides mixing it with lemon juice to make a quick vinaigrette, you can also use olive oil for cleaning, personal care, and more!
In today’s blog post, I’ll share 11 surprising and practical uses for olive oil around the home. I think you’ll be delighted to find out how versatile this oil really can be! 🙂
A quick note about olive oil
There are several quality grades when it comes to olive oil, with the most popular being: Extra virgin olive oil. “Extra virgin” means that the oil was mechanically pressed from fresh olives to obtain the best flavor and aroma.
These are important qualities when it comes to cooking, but they are not particularly important for the uses listed below. So feel free to save yourself some money by using Standard olive oil Instead!
11 Surprising Uses for Olive Oil Around the Home
1. Sub for shaving cream
Olive oil makes a great alternative to shaving cream in a pinch! Lather your legs with a little oil for a smoother shave with less razor burn.
Olive oil is also very moisturizing, so your feet feel super soft afterwards. For extra soft feet, use that olive oil to make a mi Exfoliating Leg Scrub!
2. Repair cracked heels
Suffering from rough, dry or cracked heels? Moisturizing olive oil creates an overnight repair treatment!
Before bed, exfoliate dead skin with a heel file or pumice stone, then apply olive oil to your heels. Pull on a pair of socks and you’ll wake up with soft, smooth feet!
3. Remove gum from hair
The fat content in olive oil can be really useful in removing gum from one’s hair. (No scissors needed!)
Simply apply a generous amount of oil to the gums and surrounding hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, then gently release the gums.
4. Unstick the zipper
Got a zipper that just won’t budge? Moisten the Q-tip with a little olive oil, then apply oil to the zipper teeth to make them move again.
(Just be sure to keep the oil away from the fabric!)
5. Prevent wax buildup
Before you put a tapered or pillar candle in your candle holder, apply a thin coat of olive oil to the base of the holder.
The oil will make it much easier to remove any wax drips later!
6. One ring unstick
Who hasn’t accidentally stuck a too-tight ring on their finger? Luckily for us, olive oil makes it easy to unstuck those rings!
Rub some olive oil on the finger where the ring hangs, and you’ll be able to slide the ring right off.
7. Remove stickers and labels
Use olive oil to easily remove stubborn stickers and labels! Apply just enough oil to saturate the sticker, let it sit for a few minutes, and you’ll be able to remove it without any sticky residue.
8. Remove eye makeup
Olive oil can also act as a gentle way to remove eye makeup. Pour a small amount of oil onto a cotton pad, then gently wipe off eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara.
Once the makeup is done, wash your face with warm water and follow with your favorite facial cleanser.
9. Protect wooden kitchen utensils
There are many oils you can use in a pinch to nourish and condition wooden cutting boards, bowls and utensils in your kitchen, including olive oil.
The key is to apply it sparingly and let it dry for a few minutes. After that, use a dry, soft cloth to remove any excess oil.
10. Prevent rusty razors
Replacement cartridges for razor blades can be expensive! But you protect your investment by treating the olive oil to prevent rust.
Pour some oil on a cotton ball, then apply the oil to the blade. Allow the blade to dry for a few minutes before using the razor.
11. Soften cuticles and dry skin
Olive oil is moisturizing and full of antioxidants, so it’s great for treating rough cuticles and improving dry skin. Apply daily to rough and ragged cuticles for healthier, more beautiful nails.
You can even add some olive oil to a warm bath for soft skin!
Do you have any other uses for olive oil outside of the kitchen?
