70 Amazing Uses for Olive Oil

Olive oil has been around for thousands of years, so it makes perfect sense that people would find some clever ways to use it. Over the years olive oil has gained popularity but not just for eating.  

I love olive oil, I use it as often in my cooking. I have been fortunate enough to learn a lot about olive oil over the years. Believe it or not, olive oil is very complex just like beer and wine. If you’re ever in southern California I would suggest visiting Temecula Olive Oil Co. not only will you find some great products but you will learn so much about olive oil.

When my family suggested coming up for uses for cooking oil of course I suggested that we do olive oil instead. Now you should know before exploring this list, cooking oil was one of the rationed items during WWII, so some of the uses listed may not have been implemented until the food rationing was over.

Health
always consult a doctor before using olive oil as a treatment

1. Acne – to reduce and eliminate, scrub your face with a mixture of salt and olive oil.
2. Arteries – to resist strokes and heart attacks, ingest 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily.
3. Diaper Rash – to treat and prevent, apply olive oil to their clean dry bottoms.
4. Ear Ache – to ease pain, place a couple drops of warm olive oil in the ear.
5. Lice – to kill, apply olive oil to hair and leave in for 30 minutes. Shampoo hair and repeat every 10 days for one month.
6. Snoring – to stop, take a sip of olive oil before bed.
7. Splinter – to easily remove, soak the area in oil for a few minutes before removing the splinter with tweezers.
8. Sunburn – to soothe, mix equal parts water and olive oil in a spray bottle. Apply mixture to the burn.
9. Throat – to control a tickle, take a sip of olive oil.
10. Vitamin Supplement – to replace vitamin E, take 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily.

Beauty

1. Cellulite – to minimize, mix equal parts used coffee grounds and olive oil, massage mixture to effected area then rinse.
2. Cuticles – to moisturize, massage the cuticles with a little olive oil.
3. Eyelashes – to darken, use olive oil instead of mascara.
4. Eye Makeup – to remove, rub a little oil on your eyes and remove with a cotton ball. Rinse with a clean washcloth.
5. Feet – to soften, before bed rub your feet with olive oil, then put on some old socks.
6. Feet – to soften, scrub feet with a mixture of equal parts olive oil, honey, sugar and a dash of lemon juice. Soak feet in warm water, then massage with the mixture, then rinse.
7. Hair – to condition, mix a couple teaspoons of olive oil in with your shampoo.
8. Hair – to condition, mix together used coffee grounds and olive oil. Apply to hair before shampooing.
9. Hair – to detangle, work a small amount of olive oil into hair. Use a comb to work out the tangles then shampoo.
10. Hair – to improve commercial conditioners, add a tablespoon of olive oil to a new bottle.
11. Hair – to prevent a dry scalp, rub olive oil on your scalp before washing.
12. Hair – to prevent loss and damage, use olive oil to manage your hair instead of commercial products.
13. Hair – to prevent premature graying, apply to hair before shampooing.
14. Hair – to remove paint, wipe hair with a cotton ball soaked in olive oil.
15. Hair – to repair damage, warm 1/4 cup olive oil and work it into hair. Put a shower cap on and heat with a blow dryer. Allow the oil to remain on hair for one hour before shampooing.
16. Hair – to tame frizz, lightly spray hair with olive oil before combing.
17. Lips – to soften, make a balm using equal parts olive oil and beeswax.
18. Lotion – to extend and add more moisture, add olive oil to the lotion.
19. Makeup – to remove, apply olive oil to a cotton ball and gently wipe away the makeup.
20. Muscles – to massage, use olive oil as massage oil.
21. Self Tanning – to make it go on evenly, mix equal parts olive oil and self tanning lotion. Apply to skin.
22. Self Tanning – to make your own, mix olive oil with coffee grounds. Apply the mixture liberally.
23. Shaving – to get a closer smoother shave, try shaving with oil instead of shaving cream.
24. Skin – to condition, add olive oil to your bath water. This is something that Sophia Loren does.
25. Skin – to clean sensitive skin, massage olive oil into the skin, then wipe clean.
26. Skin – to exfoliate, mix a few tablespoons of olive oil with a teaspoon of sugar or salt. Massage skin with the mixture then rinse clean.
27. Skin – to firm and tone, combine equal parts water and olive oil, apply to skin.
28. Skin – for firm, bright skin, use olive oil as you would lotion.
29. Skin – to moisturize, use olive oil as you would lotion.
30. Skin – for moisturizing and rejuvenating, mix olive oil with mashed avocado, smooth on skin and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing.
31. Skin – for a skin tightening facial, mix egg yolk, 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Smooth on face and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing.
32. Stretch Marks – to reduce the appearance, mix equal parts olive oil and cocoa butter. Smooth on the effected area.

Cooking

1. Butter – for a substitute, use slightly less olive than the amount of butter called for in the recipe.
2. Measuring Cups – to allow sticky ingredients to slide out easily, wipe the measuring cup with olive oil first.
3. Pasta – if it is to sticky, let it cool then saute’ it with a little olive oil.
4. Reduce Calories – if a recipe requires whole eggs, try using only the whites mixed with a teaspoon of olive oil instead.
5. Spread – for a healthier spread, mix one part softened butter with one part olive oil. Refrigerate and use as you would butter.

Cleaning

1. Brass – to shine, apply olive oil to a soft cloth and rub onto the brass item.
2. Cutting Boards – to condition, rub a light coat of olive oil on the board.
3. Glass – to unstick stacked glasses pour a little down the side of the glass.
4. Leather – to shine, clean the item with a damp cloth then wipe with a drop of olive oil on a soft cloth.
5. Oven Racks – to make them slide easier, coat the sides with olive oil after cleaning.
6. Paint – to remove from skin, rub with a drop or two of olive oil, then wash with soap and water.
7. Stainless Steel – to shine, lightly coat surface and buff to a shine.
8. Tape Residue – to remove, rub with olive oil and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This softens the residue so that it is easier to scrape off.
9. Wood – to polish, wipe it down with a little olive oil on a soft cloth.
10. Wood – to remove small scratches, rub olive oil into the surface using a soft cloth.

Miscellaneous

1. Bird Bath – to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs, add a little olive oil to the water.
2. Boots – to waterproof, apply a coat of olive oil.
3. Candle Sticks – to easily remove candles, rub a little oil on the candlestick before placing in the holder.
4. Cats – to make their coat shiny, add 1/4 teaspoon of oil to the food. It will also help keep hairballs at bay.
5. Garden Tools – for easy clean up, spritz the tools with olive oil before using.
6. Hinges – to remove squeaks, rub oil on the hinge with a cloth.
7. Hummingbird Feeder – to keep ants away, rub a little oil on the tip of the feeding tube.
8. Moles – to keep them away, soak a rag in oil and put it into the mole hole.
9. Necklaces – to untangle, place the necklace on a glass surface and add a drop or two of oil. Use a straight pin to loosen the knot. Rinse with warm water.
10. Oil Lamp – for a clean burn, us olive oil instead of kerosene.
11. Sap – to remove from skin, apply olive oil to the spot and rub until the residue is removed.
12. Tar – to remove from skin, apply olive oil to the spot and rub until the residue is removed.
13. Zippers – to unstick, add a little oil to the teeth with a cotton swab.

Can you imagine how hard cooking would’ve been when cooking oil was being rationed?

Bag of Rags

Tweezers

Measuring Spoons

Oil Lamp

59 Salt Uses

112 Baking Soda Uses

88 Petroleum Jelly Uses

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission. I only recommend products or services that I personally believe will add value to my readers. All opinions stated are strictly my own. Read our full disclosure policy for more information.