As you know, I love finding new uses for staples that we have at home. Here are some tips for using olive oil in ways that you may never have thought of.
If you run out of furniture polish try this tip: wipe article with a teaspoon of olive oil and a soft rag. Add a bit of vinegar to bulk up the cleaning power.
To help with fingernails, use a bit of olive oil to moisturize cuticles, or mix oil and water and soak your hands before a manicure.
Lubricate measuring cups and spoons. Rub or spray olive oil on your measuring tools for easy clean-up of sticky substances like honey and other syrups.
Control hair frizz. Comb a bit of olive oil through dry hair to tame the frizz and flyaways on humid days or in the winter.
Free a stuck zipper. Use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the teeth of a zipper, then gently ease the tab down.
This tip is always worth a try: To stop snoring, take a sip of olive oil before heading to bed. It might lubricate your throat muscles and stop yourself, or your partner, from snoring.
Exfoliate your face and hands. Rub your skin with olive oil, and then scrub with sugar or coarse salt and rinse. As you bathe, add a few tablespoons of olive oil to your running bath water. You’ll be amazed when you towel off how smooth your skin will be.
Remove makeup. Dab a bit under your eyes, on your cheeks and forehead, then wipe with a damp cloth.
Cure an earache. Very carefully use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the outside ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax.
Remove paint from your skin. Rub on olive oil onto messy hand and arms (or faces) and allow the oil to soak into the skin for five minutes, and then rinse with soap and water.
Treat lice. Apply olive oil to your youngster’s hair and leave on for at least 40 minutes. Shampoo twice, and then apply a preventative.
Fix a squeaky door. Use a rag or cotton swab to apply olive oil to the top of a problematic hinge.
Shoe polish. Rub down your shoes with just a spray of olive oil to maintain their shine.
If you run out of shaving cream, don’t waste your time trying to make do with soap—it could be rough on your skin. Olive oil, on the other hand, is a fabulous substitute for shaving cream. It not only makes it easier for the blade to glide over your legs, but it will moisturize your skin as well.
Easy clean-up of garden tools. Spray some olive oil on your tools to cut down on dirt buildup.
Condition leather. Rub olive oil into worn leather, such as a baseball glove, and let set for 30 minutes. Then wipe away any excess.
Cure diaper rash. Gently wipe on olive oil to your baby’s bottom to help with the irritation of diaper rash.
Gail Hochman has been a resident of Fair Lawn for over 30 years and has been blessed with many grandchildren.
By Gail Hochman
