It is well-known that olive oil is a fundamental part of the Mediterranean diet and has properties that are excellent for the health. However, aside from its conventional uses, it is also very useful when it comes to cleaning and home maintenance. In fact, it is perfect for those who prefer to clean their homes without using chemicals. Do you know all the uses it has?

Polishing wood

In order to restore scratched wood, mix a little toothpaste with some olive oil. Apply the mixture gently to the affected area with a cloth.

Polishing metals

To polish metals, we just need to soak a hessian (burlap) cloth in olive oil and polish the metal object in circular motions until it recovers its shine. To finish, rub the object with a paper towel to remove the excess oil without taking away the shine.

Cleaning leather

Olive oil is perfect for cleaning leather. All you have to do is apply the olive oil with a cloth directly to the leather and then remove any excess oil with a dry cloth.

Eliminating drainpipe smells

Olive oil is also useful for getting rid of unpleasant smells from drainpipes, especially in sinks and showers. To eliminate these, we just have to pour a splash of oil down the drain and the bad smells will disappear.

Removing stickers

Removing unwanted stickers like bar codes (and the traces of glue they can leave behind) is easy with a splash of olive oil. This trick works particularly well on plastic, leather or wood. Simply moisten a cloth with olive oil and rub the affected area until the glue has completely disappeared.

Preventing creaks

To stop irritating creaks in doors and drawers, just dab the hinge or lock with a cloth moistened with a little olive oil. You will see how the noise soon stops.

An insect deterrent for plants

At some times of year, insects are everywhere. To protect plants from infestation, use a little olive oil mixed with water and a bit of washing-up liquid. Spray the plants with the mixture and the results will be instantaneous.