I have a ridiculous amount of olive oil in my house. To me, olive oil is like baking soda and vinegar: one of those wonder products I can’t live without.
I use olive oil with abandon in the kitchen (especially since it’s delicious, and healthy for your heart too) but I also use it in several other rooms in the house on a regular basis.
To do what, you ask?
Well, olive oil has a lot of surprising uses. I know it’s not cheap, but the point here is that if you’re in a pinch, you can use olive oil instead of going out to the store to spend money on a commercial product. By using it as a replacement for many other household products, you can save a significant amount of money. And if you’re trying to make your home more eco-friendly, using olive oil in place of many commercial products is a great first step.
Here are seven uses for olive oil around the house you may not know about.
1. Create Your Own Skin Moisturizers
I have a jar of homemade lavender-infused olive oil in my bathroom. I’ve found that olive oil makes the best moisturizer, especially during the dry, cold winter months. It soaks easily into your skin and doesn’t leave it feeling greasy. And if you soak herbs (like lavender, rosemary or mint) in the olive oil you’re left with a very subtle, delightful scent on your skin.
I even use olive oil on my face and it keeps it moist all day.
The biggest benefit here is that olive oil contains four different antioxidants, which help fight off the free radicals that cause aging and skin damage. So using olive oil on your face might be a better choice than other pricey, chemical-stuffed face lotions. Similarly, you can make your own natural green skin care products to get all of the benefits, and save money and the environment.
2. Polish Furniture
You don’t have to waste money buying a chemically-ladened jar of wood furniture polish. Just use olive oil. It works great and is much more eco-friendly.
Olive oil also works well for polishing silver and copper. I also use it to clean and season my cast-iron skillet (one of my favorite old-time kitchen gadgets).
3. Control Hair Frizz
I have thick, curly hair. And when the frizz factor kicks in, my hair transforms into a solar system around my head.
Olive oil works great for controlling frizz. But be careful! If you apply too much your hair is going to look greasy.
To get the right balance, pour just a few drops on your hand and rub them together once or twice to evenly distribute the oil. Lightly run your hands over your head to control the frizz. If you have curly hair, then you might find it helpful to just put the olive oil on your fingertips and go over curls individually.
You can also use olive oil as a deep treatment for dry or damaged hair. Comb one or two tablespoons through your hair, rubbing it in well. Then, toss on a showercap and let it sit for half an hour. Shampoo out and you’re good to go!
4. Ease Stuck Zippers
If your zipper is stuck, run a cotton swab soaked in olive oil along the metal teeth. It can help ease the zipper on down.
5. After Shave
Guys, you can use olive oil to shave and it makes a great after shave as well. Really. My husband never buys shaving cream anymore.
6. Fix Squeaky Doors
Don’t waste money on WD-40. Drizzle some olive oil on squeaky hinges and you won’t have to listen to it anymore.
7. Treat Diaper Rash
What did moms use for diaper rash before they could buy those baby items resembling white tubs of goo? Olive oil. It’s 100% safe and natural for your baby.
Final Word
Do you use olive oil for anything else besides cooking? What are some of your favorite and most effective uses? Share your tips in the comments below.
