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10 unusual uses for olive oil
Olive oil has many different uses, and there’s a good reason why it should be considered a staple in every household. Read our blog to find out more.
Olive oil is a strange and unique product; it can be used for so many different reasons, and in different ways. Although usually found on the kitchen shelf, or in the cooking aisle at the local store, olive oil can be applied to your hair, skin, and even sticky zippers.
It’s not just your standard cooking oil. Even historically speaking, olive oil has been used not only for food but also for lamp fuel, soap, medicine, and skincare. People have been using olive oil in these different ways for thousands of years, with its earliest production being cited at 4000 BC. A bottle of olive oil should be a staple in every home, and every room. After reading this list, you’ll want to have some stored in your bathroom, tool shed, and on your nightstand too.
Here are 10 unusual uses for olive oil:
1. Shaving cream
Olive oil can be a wonderful substitute for shaving cream. The oil provides a nice lubrication that’s easy on the skin to help with a close shave. The anti-inflammatory properties that olive oil possesses can also help to reduce any redness or razor bumps too. You can also rub a teaspoon of olive oil onto your face and body after washing, to soothe and moisturize your skin, or to your blades to protect them from rusting.
2. Treat lice
If you’re looking for a less expensive, low-tox solution to treat head lice, you can try using olive oil. Apply the oil to hair, comb it through, then leave it for about forty minutes before washing it out with shampoo. For better results, make sure to shampoo twice and to use a preventative such as lavender and tee tree oil spray afterwards. It may also be beneficial to use high polyphenol olive oil, as its increased concentration of natural antioxidants may allow for a host of alleged health benefits. You can watch this video to understand more about high polyphenol olive oil and its potential benefits:
3. Deep conditioner
Olive oil can have real benefits for your hair. It can be used to make DIY hair masks and conditioning treatments. You can use ½ cup of olive oil and apply it to your hair from root to tip. Wrap your hair up in a towel or a shower cap and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse it out thoroughly with warm water, then wash your hair as you normally would. Doing this once a week could help to maintain frizz, and with detangling or friction by restoring moisture to tired and brittle hair. Consider using extra-virgin or cold pressed olive oil; they’re considered to be much better than your standard olive oil, and the cold pressed variety also tends to have higher levels of polyphenols.
4. Tricky zippers
We have all been stuck at one point or another, trying desperately to zip up a hoodie or a pair of pants that just won’t budge. Olive oil is the perfect lubrication solution. Using a cotton ball and some oil, dab at the teeth of the zipper, then gently ease it in the necessary direction.
5. Make up remover
Dab a small amount under your eyes, cheeks, and forehead, and wipe with a damp cloth to remove dirt and make up at the end of the day. Using olive oil can be quite soothing to the skin. It and some of its co-products such as vegetative water and pomace, are being explored more in beauty products because of the healthy polyphenolics and fibers that have shown to be beneficial to human health.
6. Earache
Olive oil may help to sooth earaches, and to clear out built-up wax from the ear canal. Using a cotton swab, very carefully apply the oil to the outside ear cavity. Gently massage the skin at the front entrance of your ear to help the oil work its way in. Alternatively, you can lie on your side and gently pull the outer part of your ear back, to open your ear canal. Put two or three drops of olive oil into the opening and stay on your side for about 10 minutes; next, repeat in the other ear.
7. Paint remover
You can use olive oil to remove paint from your skin and hair. Start with a cotton ball dipped in olive oil to gently remove any hard-to-get paint from your hair. You can also rub the oil over your skin (wherever there is paint) and allow it to sit for a few minutes so that the oil can soak into your skin. Rinse with soap and water, and you’re all set.
8. Face scrub
Throughout the centuries, olive oil has been used in the production of natural remedies, soaps and scrubs. To help to improve the texture of your skin, you can make a facial scrub using olive oil, lemon juice, raw sugar and raw honey. Mix all of this together and apply to your face once a week. This process can help to clear away dead skin cells, and to improve the smoothness of your skin. Other oils that you may use in place of—or alongside—olive oil are coconut oil, jojoba oil, and castor oil.
9. Furniture polish
You can restore luster to your wooden furniture by making some DIY polish, using olive oil and lemon juice or white vinegar. Prepare the mixture in a spray bottle, shake it up, and get spraying. Leave this mixture on the wood for a couple of minutes, and then wipe it clean with a cloth or a paper towel.
10. Butter replacement
Olive oil is seriously magic in a bottle and can be used for so many different things. You’ll want to keep it on hand for all occasions. From your hair down to your toes, it can be used to soften skin, soothe earaches, and for a clean shave. Your whole family can benefit from its many uses, so no house should be without a trusty bottle of olive oil ready to go.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.
