7 Everyday Items You Can Clean With Olive Oil

Whether drizzled over gooey burrata or tossed with fresh parmesan and your favorite pasta, olive oil is a powerhouse in the kitchen. However, olive oil is more than just a recipe staple — it’s also a great house cleaner. Olive oil is organic, so you won’t have to rely on harsh chemicals while it is still flexible enough to clean various household items. Here are seven everyday items you can clean with olive oil.

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Wooden Furniture

Do you have heat rings on your wooden table from forgetting a coaster a few times too many? Olive oil can help. Mix 1/2 cup of olive oil with equal parts distilled white vinegar and coat the stained area using a paper towel. After an hour, wipe the table clean, and the stain should be gone.

Leather Furniture

Leather furniture needs to be moisturized regularly to prevent it from becoming stiff and uncomfortable. Don’t splurge on leather conditioner yet — you can make your own with olive oil. Mix 1/2 cup of olive oil with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Apply a thin layer of the mixture to your couch with a soft cloth to soften and smooth the leather while restoring vitality.

Cast-Iron Pans

Cast-iron pans are among the handiest kitchen tools an aspiring gourmet can own, but they’re challenging to clean. Since you can’t toss cast iron into the dishwasher, remove any build-up by using olive oil. Coat your pan with equal parts olive oil and coarse salt and scrub with a cast-iron brush. This process dislodges food particles while restoring the pan’s natural sheen. Rinse the pan with hot water and dry.

Stainless Steel Kitchenware

Streaks, smudges, and scrapes quickly show on stainless steel kitchenware. You can restore that fresh-out-of-the-box shine by wiping down the steel exterior with a cleaning rag soaked in olive oil. The olive oil creates a protective barrier that temporarily prevents further smudging.

Sticky Residue

Removing the stickers from a new purchase can be challenging. Instead of painstakingly picking away the price tag with your fingernails, coat the sticker with olive oil and let it sit for several minutes. The olive oil will soften the sticker enough to be scraped off with a butter knife.

Candle Wax

Olive oil can do the job if you’re trying to clean out an old candle jar or remove spilled wax off a countertop. To wipe away stains, soak a cotton ball or clean rag in olive oil and rub the wax. To get rid of melted wax at the bottom of a candle jar, pour olive oil into the jar and let it sit for several minutes before wiping it out.

Paint Splattered Surfaces

If you’ve ever finished painting a new room and realized you’ve left splatter all over the place — the floor, the windows, and even your hands — don’t panic. Dip a clean cloth into olive oil to easily wipe paint splatter off any surface.

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