1000 uses of extra virgin olive oil

HALOS
To remove the halos on waxed furniture, without using products on the market, you can intervene with a mixture consisting of 3 tablespoons of olive oil and little coarse salt. Put a small quantity on a microfiber cloth and dab the halo. Leave for 3 minutes, then dry with a soft, clean cloth. At the end, clean as usual.

PETS
There are many veterinarians who recommend adding extra virgin olive oil to the diet of dogs and cats. The same precious nutritional and antioxidant characteristics that we appreciate in human nutrition are also important for our pets. In addition, the oil helps maintain a beautiful, healthy and shiny coat. The unsaturated fatty acids in olive oil are also good for the dog’s skin.

BURNS
It can happen, drinking a hot drink or eating too hot food, to burn your mouth and throat. To remedy immediately, take 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the burning sensation will disappear.

BARBECUE
A natural way to light the barbecue, without wanting to use the products on the market, is to place a few sheets of kitchen paper or sheets of newsprint with the charcoal and sprinkle with olive oil. The fire will ignite perfectly.

CONSTIPATION
If your problem is intestinal constipation, before resorting to more energetic remedies, try taking 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach: many doctors recommend it. You will certainly benefit greatly from it and, as a general indication, always add olive oil to your diet: it is extremely precious for general health and well-being, and is one of the most effective antioxidants.

HAIR REMOVAL
Last-minute hair removal with a razor? It is a method that should not be used regularly, but it may happen that you find yourself in a situation in which it is the only solution. To make the operation as smooth as … oil, use olive oil. Spread a thread on the part to be depilated and proceed with care. With oil, the blades will slide well and avoid small cuts. At the end, rinse well and wash gently with a good Aleppo soap. The result will be superb: not only shaved legs but also perfectly hydrated and soft.

DIFFICULT DIGESTION
If you suffer from difficult digestion and do not want to use products on the market, you can try a traditional remedy to be taken at the end of a meal: a mixture of 1/2 lemon with a tablespoon of olive oil. Your digestion, as well as your mood, will benefit greatly.

AFTER SUN
After-sun oils are very popular: they give shine and nourish the skin. If you want to prepare a personalized and completely natural one, mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply it to the skin that is still damp after a shower. Olive oil is also a traditional remedy for sunburn.

ECZEMA
While waiting to see your doctor, you can relieve the itching caused by eczema with a traditional remedy. In a suitable container, mix 2/3 of olive oil with 1/3 of lemon juice. Apply on the part, which must not be too large, with gauze compresses.

IRON
An old trick of grandmothers, indeed of grandparents, to treat slightly rusty iron objects, such as tools, was to immerse them in two successive baths: the first in olive oil and the second in lemon. Iron regained its beauty. Maintenance for wrought iron items in good condition is first done by dusting them well with a brush, to reach even the most difficult areas, and then washing them with a mild dish detergent. At the end, after drying, a cloth is wiped with a little olive oil: the surfaces will become shiny again and will be protected.

CUT FLOWERS
A beautiful bouquet of flowers with intense colors and delicate scents cheers and gives personality to any environment. Once, in beautiful houses, there was cut flowers, a secret of our grandmothers was to cut the stems a bit obliquely and wet them with a little olive oil before putting them in the vase with water. They last many days in the best conditions.

THROAT
Throat irritations that cause cough can be counteracted with olive oil: take a small sip and gently slide it down your throat. Also, if you have to talk or sing a lot for work, just before starting take 1 teaspoon: the oil will act as a lubricant and you won’t have too much effort.

ELBOWS AND KNEES
They are often the rougher parts of the body, sometimes forgotten and difficult to hydrate. Before taking a shower or bath, dab them with olive oil and then massage for 10 minutes. after a shower they will be very soft.

CRACKED LIPS
A few drops of olive oil on the lips avoid cracks, especially in winter. By adding oil to a little beeswax you will have an excellent homemade lip balm.

SINK
It may happen that the sink gives off odors that are not exactly pleasant. The unfortunate inconvenience can be linked to non-disposed food residues or poorly drained rinsing. To prevent them and, if necessary, also to fight them, first of all carry out a thorough cleaning of the siphon and pipes. At the end, pour a few teaspoons of olive oil down the drain and, if you want a pleasant scent, add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil.

POLISH FOR SHOES
To keep leather shoes in the best conditions, it is essential to regularly clean them from dust and dirt that accumulates with use. To make them last very long and keep the skin soft, it must be cleaned with suitable, non-aggressive products. Olive oil can be an excellent substitute for many products on the market. Proceed as follows: after having thoroughly cleaned the shoes with a damp microfibre cloth, on a dry cloth, preferably wool, put a few drops of oil, wipe well on the shoes and let it dry. The shoes will become shiny again and the leather will resist aggression better.

WATER STAINS
Water stains on wooden furniture (not antiques, for which an expert must be consulted) can be removed with a few drops of olive oil. First of all, dry the water with a clean cloth, without rubbing so as not to enlarge “the damage”, then with a makeup cotton pad and 2 or 3 drops of olive oil, dab the stain.

PAINT STAINS ON THE PARQUET
Small paint stains on the parquet can be removed with very little olive oil. Pour a few drops on a clean, microfiber cloth is ideal, dab the stains and leave to act for a few seconds, then clean well with a damp cloth, but without scratching. At the end wash as usual. Attention: for antique parquet always ask an expert for advice.

WOODEN FURNITURE
Olive oil has the extraordinary property of removing stains, nourishing and making wooden furniture shine (attention: for antiques, always contact an expert). Without resorting to products on the market, a simple and natural product for wood care, which you can make yourself, is the following: in a nebulizer put 4 parts of olive oil, 4 of white vinegar and 2 of water. Mix well, spray on the surfaces to be cleaned and rub lightly with a microfibre cloth. The furniture will shine. You can then store the product in the refrigerator, remember to shake the nebulizer well before using it: the water and oil separate.

SMELLS OF EXHAUST
In the kitchen, as well as in the bathroom, exhaust odors can be really unpleasant. Before moving on to more drastic methods, try putting 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil in the siphon: it should put an end to the unpleasant scents. Floating on the water, the oil prevents odors from escaping. If it works, repeat every 3 months.

CAPPED EARS
An ancient remedy for clogged ears is to soak a small piece of cotton with warm olive oil and place it gently on the ear. Before proceeding, however, always ask your doctor for advice.

MECHANICAL PARTS
The small jammed mechanisms, in the absence of specific products, can start working again with very few drops of olive oil. With a clean cloth, remove the excess.

LEATHER SHOES AND BAGS
Shoes, bags and all leather accessories remain beautiful and in perfect condition for a long time with simple but constant maintenance. If you do not want to use specific products on the market, use olive oil. First of all, dust and remove any residual dirt with a damp cloth. Let it dry and then wipe with a clean cloth on which you have poured a little oil. Let it dry for a day and then if you notice uneven parts, repeat the operation. Hopefully you can put some wax.

CAST IRON POTS
Cast iron pots, pans and grills are always washed with very soft (never abrasive) sponges and very delicate products. The best method, absolutely ecological, is bicarbonate. After using the pot, fill it with hot water and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours: the dirt will come off effortlessly. At the end, pass a few sheets of kitchen paper with a little oil: it will be the best protection.

COPPER POTS
A very traditional and still used way to clean beautiful copper pots and pans is with olive oil. You pass some kitchen paper with a little oil and then, again with paper, it dries well.

INDOOR PLANTS
If you notice that your indoor plants are a little weakened and tired, before using commercially available products, try pouring 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the soil. The oil nourishes them, restores strength and is also a pesticide.

FEET
If your feet have suffered from a long walk, new or unsuitable footwear; or you simply want to treat yourself to a beneficial massage, mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and a few leaves of rosemary. Carefully massage your feet, insisting on the rough parts. Then leave to act for 10 minutes and then wash with Marseille soap. the fatigue will be gone and the skin very soft.

PERFUME AN ENVIRONMENT
If you love to perfume or sanitize rooms with essential oils added to the water in radiator humidifiers, you will surely have noticed that oils tend to evaporate too quickly. A little trick to ensure that the evaporation is gradual and constant is to add 2 or 3 drops of olive oil. You will notice the difference.

COLD
If you have a bad cold, are congested and can’t breathe, try a traditional remedy with olive oil. Mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 2 of Scots pine and 2 of thyme. Massage the neck and chest and cover with a woolen cloth. You will have immediate relief from symptoms.

WRINKLES
Treat them as they deserve: with olive oil. Small wrinkles on the sides of the eyes, as well as deeper wrinkles on the sides of the nose, will be smoothed out if you massage them constantly with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

LOCKS
Anything that creaks, from locks to door hinges, to gears can be treated with a very thin drizzle of olive oil. Soak a make-up cotton pad or a clean cotton cloth and rub it on the creaking parts. They will return silent and efficient.

STRESS
Our contemporary illness, stress, is fought with natural methods, like a nice massage. Mix one tablespoon of olive oil with 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Have your whole body massaged, especially the temples, feet, back. Relax, your body and your mood will benefit greatly.

MOLES
Aren’t you happy with the little moles that inhabit your garden? Before moving on to drastic procedures, help them move with a simple and harmless method: pour a little olive oil in various parts of the garden. Moles, who won’t like it, will soon pack up and your garden will be back without rodent tenants.

HUMIDIFIER
Always add a few drops of olive oil to the water in your humidifier to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly.

NAILS
The most beautiful nails are those that are healthy, well-groomed and shiny. Every 15 days make a pack with just warm olive oil. The nails will be strengthened and will better withstand treatments and enamels.

VASES
The stoneware jars are cleaned well with olive oil. Soak a few sheets of kitchen paper with oil and rub the jars well, then removing the excess: the dirt will go away and the jars will have a light protective patina.