5 Ways to Clean with Olive Oil

Delicious, rich and healthy olive oil. When you think of that gorgeous, green-tinted oil you likely think of whipping up some fresh vinaigrette - not cleaning with the stuff. But, olive oil is a useful cleaner for nearly every room in the house. Here are five of my favorite ways to use olive oil to clean your home:

1. Remove fingerprints and smudges from stainless steel. Just a tiny amount of olive oil (any type - light, extra virgin, etc.) on a soft cloth will buff out any fingerprints, smudges or marks on stainless steel. Just literally a few drops will do the trick. Don't use too much oil or you'll be left with an oily residue.
2. Polish wood. I like a combination of olive oil and a little squeeze of lemon to polish wooden furniture or surfaces - but even a wee bit of olive oil alone will give you a lovely, shiny clean wooden surface. Adding the lemon also  makes it smell wonderful.
3. Polish leather furniture. Whether it's leather chairs at the dining room table, or leather sofas or couches, a tiny bit of olive oil on a soft cloth will buff that surface up beautifully.
4. Add moisture to wooden utensils. Especially in dry climates, wooden utensils, spoons and wooden cutting boards need a little love and attention. Rub some olive oil into the wood and watch the wood soak it up like a thirsty little sponge!
5. Remove glue and other sticky stuff. A bit of olive oil left to sit on sticky residue (such as leftover goo from a price tag or sticker) will make it easy to gently scrape it off.

Those are my favorite uses - now, do you have a secret way to clean with olive oil? Share it in a comment!

Reader's Question - Cleaning Fingerprints off Stainless Steel Appliances

Ah yes, the fingerprint prone stainless steel appliance! They look chic in your kitchen, but those smudgy fingerprints really wreck that distinguished look you were going for. Do you relate to this email sent in by Bev?
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Hello,

I was wondering if you or your readers have any good tips for removing those pesky finger prints off of stainless steel appliances? Cleaning has become a nightmare since getting these new toys!

Thank you,

Bev

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Hey Bev,

I have a great solution for you that's not only effective, it's natural! (Oh, and did I mention cheap??) You probably already have this ingredient nestled in your pantry - olive oil! Just a tiny amount on a soft cloth or paper towel will work wonders at removing those fingerprint disasters that are smudging up your gorgeous appliances. Literally just a few drops is all you need.

Give it a go and let me know the results, okay?
Take care,
Christina