11 Things You Can Actually Clean With Olive Oil, According To Experts

Discover the versatility of olive oil as a cleaning agent.

Everyone has their favorite products for deep cleaning a bathroom or sanitizing the dining table, but if you’re looking for a little extra shine or a new weapon to add to your eco-friendly cleaning arsenal, head to the kitchen. While vinegar has been one of our go-to cleaning products for years, it turns out that olive oil also has a ton of uses that don’t involve making vinaigrette or adding to bruschetta. According to our experts, olive oil is also a great way to clean, polish, and de-gunk your house.

Related: 7 Ways To Use Lemon When Cleaning Your Home

Here are 11 of the many ways that you can clean with olive oil:

Make Stainless Steel Shine

"You can use olive oil on stainless steel to get rid of fingerprint smudges. Just use a little bit and wipe it down with a paper towel," says Ryan Knoll from Tidy Casa, a home cleaning and maid service.

Revive Leather

“You can gently rub olive oil on leather goods that need a little love,” says Cara Gambini from Texas Hill Country Olive Oil. “This process will condition worn leather to make it feel shiny and new again.”

Keep Cast Iron Looking Good

“Apply a thin layer of olive oil after cooking and it will help prevent rust and maintain the cookware,” says Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company.

Remove Gunk

“Olive oil can be used to take off hard-to-remove substances and items. A little olive oil can get paint off your skin, take off makeup, and even get unwanted stickers off of items. You can even combine olive oil with baking soda to remove tar off of your sidewalk,” says Gambini from Texas Hill Country Olive Oil.

Brighten Up A Sink

“Stainless steel sinks can lose their shine and get dull and stain over the period,” notes Vuong. “To restore the gleam, use a microfiber towel dampened with a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil. Clean the surface in a circular motion, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. The olive oil will get rid of the grime while lemon juice works as a natural disinfectant.”

Remove Crayon Marks

“In a house full of kids we have all been there- the dreaded crayon marks on the walls. To fight these marks, dip a cotton ball in olive oil and dab it gently on the crayon marks,” suggests Vuong of Caliber Cleaning. “The oil will break down the crayon wax and make it easy to remove using a damp cloth. For difficult marks, you will have to repeat the process.”

Polish Wood Furniture

Wooden furniture can get dull with wear, but olive oil can help. “Take some olive oil mixed with vinegar and you’ll have a DIY wood polish, leaving your wooden furniture looking refreshed,” says Mock of Molly Maid. 

Get Sticker Glue Off Clothing

If you’re a thrift store fanatic, estate sale junkie, or a vintage clothing fiend, you may find yourself needing to remove sticker goo. “The best way to remove sticky residue from a piece of clothing is to soak the spot with olive oil,” says Maria Mooney, a cleaning expert at Truly Free. “All you'll do is apply a small amount to the area and let it sit for a few minutes, then use a soft bristle like a toothbrush or a soft cloth to gently rub the residue off. For this method, patience is key. Removing stubborn stains like adhesive residue takes persistence, especially if the remnant is aged. Be prepared to repeat the process until all of the residue is eliminated.”

Clean and Polish Wood Cutting Boards

“Olive oil shines in cleaning and conditioning cutting boards and butcher blocks,” says Mimi Nguyen of Cafely. “I make a habit of regularly oiling my wooden boards to prevent them from drying out and cracking. The oil helps to nourish and protect the wood, ensuring my cutting surfaces stay in top condition.”

Clean Countertops

“As a chef and someone who loves using natural products, I use olive oil to clean or polish certain materials like stainless steel, marble or granite countertops,” says Tamara Earl, a baker and executive chef for Delectablez. “In my opinion, olive oil is perfect to use as it reduces harsh chemicals in the air like traditional cleaners, it's perfect to use for natural shinning and cleaning.”

Revive Wooden Utensils

“Olive oil can also help with wooden kitchen spoons,” says Cara of Texas Hill Country Olive Oil. “Just wash your wooden utensils as normal, then once they're dry lightly oil the utensils.”

Related: How To Use Vinegar In The Laundry

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.