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We all know olive oil is good for us, but it isn’t just good for cooking. It’s an eco-friendly ingredient you can use to do all sorts of things around your home. Here are my favorite ways:
Furniture polish: Mix two parts olive oil with one part vinegar for a powerful cleaner for finished wood pieces. Mix what you need in a small bowl and use a soft rag to get wood glowing. You can use lemon juice instead of vinegar. In that case, apply the mixture and rub the area briskly with a soft rag or towel.
On stainless steel: There’s no need for commercial chemical cleaners. Use a rag to polish the appliances all over with olive oil and then wipe away any extra. Your stainless steel will look just as shiny as if you had used a commercial cleaner.
For kitty: I use olive oil for my cat to help prevent hairballs. Simply add a teaspoon of olive oil to kitty’s food once a week. It is not only effective to prevent hairballs, but will also keep your cat’s coat shiny. A few drops of olive oil rubbed between palms can be rubbed on human hair too.
Moisturizer: Olive oil is an effective and non-toxic skin moisturizer – especially on hands in colder months. Rub it into the cuticle area for optimum results. You can also use a small amount of olive oil on your body after a shower to keep your skin from drying out. It contains vitamins A and E, which are known to have skin benefits.
Makeup remover: Use a little olive oil on a cotton ball as a safe eye makeup remover. It’s gentle and works instantly.
Terri Bennett is author of “Do Your Part: A practical guide for everyday green living.”
