5 Surprising Things You Can Clean and Protect With Olive Oil

People have been turning olives into olive oil for over 5000 years, and I can see why! Olive oil is healthy, delicious and great for cooking.

Bruschetta with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and tomato gives us plenty to be grateful for, but did you know that olive oil has a stack of uses around the home? This yummy oil can be used to clean and protect everything from leather couches to cast iron pans.

Here are our top 5 ways to use olive oil around the home.

1. Conditioning leather furniture

Using olive oil on leather can restore colour and repair small scratches. This works on shoes, couches, chairs and other items.

The process is the same as with wooden furniture, but just use straight olive oil – no lemon needed! Pour some oil onto a cloth and rub into the leather in a circular motion.

As always, test in an inconspicuous spot first, and thoroughly buff off the excess olive oil with a clean, soft cloth. With leather lounges, make sure you check your manufacturers’ care advice, to avoid voiding the warranty.

2. Protect wooden furniture

Did you know, olive oil can also be used to protect and condition wood? This is great for wooden cabinets, tables and outdoor wood or wicker furniture that is looking dull and worn.

First, you’ll want to get rid of any dust or dirt with a clean microfiber cloth. Then, combine 3 parts olive oil with one part lemon juice. Cover a clean cotton cloth with the oil and lemon and rub the mixture into the timber, following the grain of the wood.

It might be smart to test this in an inconspicuous area first, to ensure the polish won’t discolour the furniture.

3. Clean and polish steel appliances

Do you have greasy stainless steel appliances? Want to make your stove and oven shine again?

Use vinegar to remove the grease, and then use a little olive oil to polish. Pour oil onto a cloth or paper towel, and rub in a circular motion until the steel is shining! The oil will also help remove any stubborn grease.

4. Seasoning cast iron pans

Cast iron pans are making a big comeback, as they last forever! Non-stick pans are useless once the non-stick coating is gone, but cast iron is forever.

Seasoning your cast iron pan is incredibly important, and olive oil is perfect for this! Just wash and totally dry the pan, and then rub olive oil all over it.

The next step is to put it upside down in the oven at about 200 degrees Celsius and bake it for 30 minutes. (You might want to put a layer of foil or baking paper under it to catch any drips. The heat polymerizes the oil and the iron, forming a plastic-like, non-stick protective coating on your pan.

5. Clean paint off your hands

Completing a home painting job is satisfying, but nothing ruins it like the frustration of trying to get dried paint off your bare skin!

First, scrub loose paint away with soap and warm water. Then pour a small amount of olive oil onto a clean cloth and rub on the paint until it lifts from your skin. If necessary, you can add a pinch of salt to the olive oil as a mild exfoliate.

Olive oil can also be used to remove another kind of ‘paint’ – makeup! This article explains the chemistry behind removing makeup with oil, but for many skin types, olive oil is an effective and cheap makeup remover.