Key Takeaways
Rub olive oil on wooden boards and utensils to restore oils and prevent cracks.Use it to loosen sticky residue from jar labels or tape.Buff stainless steel, brass, and bronze cookware with olive oil for shine.
While olive oil is often used for salad dressings or roasted veggies, the ingredient isn’t just a cooking essential. Along with elevating everyday meals, olive oil can also be used to elevate your cleaning routines.
Whether you want to make your pans shine or protect your furniture, there are a myriad of ways to use olive oil around the home. In fact, olive oil is sometimes safer and more effective to use on certain materials than common cleaning solutions.
Ahead, professionals share six surprising ways to clean with olive oil so that your home stays in pristine shape.
Meet the Expert
Jessica Gonzalez is the chief operating officer of Sparkly Maid San Antonio.
Robin Murphy is the chief cleaning officer of Maid Brigade and author of Who Likes It Dirty?
Apply on Cutting Boards and Cutlery
Credit:
Ekaterina Goncharova / Getty Images
Olive oil replenishes wood’s natural oils, keeping it looking smooth and healthy. So, it’s great to rub into wooden cutting boards and utensils to condition and prevent cracking.
“For a medium cutting board, use about a teaspoon of olive oil, and a few drops for small utensils like spoons,” says Jessica Gonzalez, chief operating officer of Sparkly Maid San Antonio.
“Apply the oil to a soft, lint-free cloth, and rub it in, always following the grain of the wood.”
Then, allow the wood to absorb the olive oil for 15 to 20 minutes and wipe off the excess with a clean dry cloth.
“This can be done once a month or even more if the wood looks dry or dull,” Gonzalez says.
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Remove Sticky Residue
Credit:
The Spruce / Carson Downing
If you’ve peeled off a jar label or tape, and are still left with sticky bits, oil can help finish the job.
“Dab olive oil onto a cloth or cotton ball and press onto sticky spots,” says Robin Murphy, chief cleaning officer of Maid Brigade. “Let it sit for a minute, then wipe away.”
Olive oil works well because it loosens adhesives without the need for harsh solvents—and won’t scratch surfaces.
When the stickiness is gone, clean the surface with warm, soapy water to remove any leftover oil.
Polish Furniture
Credit:
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
Have pieces of furniture that are starting to look dull? Olive oil can return them to their original glory.
For wood, apply a few drops of olive oil to a soft cloth, rub it into the furniture, then buff with a clean, dry cloth.
“[This] conditions the wood, restores shine, and helps disguise small scratches,” Murphy says.
You can also use olive oil on leather—but do so sparingly, so that it doesn’t become sticky.
“Rub a tiny amount into leather with a soft cloth to restore shine and suppleness,” Murphy suggests.
Make Metal Cookware Shine
Credit:
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Stainless steel similarly gets new life when treated with oil. Simply apply a few drops of olive oil to a microfiber cloth and buff along the grain of stainless steel.
“It helps lift fingerprints, adds shine, and leaves behind a light protective layer that makes future smudges easier to wipe away,” Gonzalez says.
Brass and bronze cookware can also get a streak-free finish with this method.
“It slows tarnish and keeps the metal gleaming,” Murphy explains.
Protect Cast Iron Pans
Credit:
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Cast iron pans should never be treated with regular cleaning products—but they still need to be cleaned to prevent them from rusting or wearing. Start by scrubbing it with steel wool, soaking it in vinegar, or rubbing it with salt
“[Then,] olive oil can be used sparingly after cleaning to help maintain the seasoning layer,” Gonzalez says.
Smooth Out Hinges
Credit:
IAN HOOTON/SPL / Getty Images
Anything that’s squeaky or sticking likely needs some care—especially if that’s scissors or garden shears.
“Dab a drop of olive oil on the blades, open and close a few times, then wipe away excess,” Murphy says. “[It] keeps them moving smoothly.”
For squeaky door hinges, Murphy suggests adding a single drop to the hinge and moving the door back and forth, before wiping away any drips
Dining and Cooking