Cleaning experts and home hack enthusiasts are singing praises for an everyday pantry essential that doubles as a brilliant method to add shine to kitchen metals. Olive oil, which is typically praised for its health benefits in food, has also been found to double as a handy cleaning helper.
Not only can olive oil bring back the natural gleam to stainless steel objects, but it also acts as a barrier against smudges. According to Mat Franken, CEO and Founder of Aunt Fannie’s, told NBC News: “Olive oil is a great option for cleaning stainless steel, such as pots, pans and appliances. Put olive oil on a soft cloth and rub in a circular motion to buff out any dirty spots.”
To return your kitchen metals to their sparkly best, Bonus Cleaning advised using just a dab of olive oil on a towel over the metallic surface. After rubbing, simply wipe off the olive oil to reveal the shine.
They contend that olive oil outperforms commercial cleaners, reports the Express. After application, you only need to use some kitchen paper to remove any remaining oil, recommended Bonus Cleaning, which also endorses the use of olive oil for polishing cutlery.
Content creator Rosalynn Daniels even adopted this hack for tidying up her refrigerator with olive oil. While it’s useful for a swift shimmer, if you’re faced with stubborn dirt, a bit more effort might be required.
For an intensive fridge cleanse, Parade magazine suggested opting for a microfibre cloth, noting their softness and non-scratching quality for appliance surfaces. To achieve a streak-free shine, spray a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water onto the appliance, then wipe in the direction of the grain.
Chiana Dickson tested the olive oil method for Homes and Gardens, cautioning that it “does not actually clean anything”, making it unsuitable for eliminating bacteria. However, it is a useful hack for replenishing and restoring stainless steel surfaces.
She noted: “Much like cleaning with vinegar or cleaning with lemon juice, taking olive oil to my stainless steel kitchen appliances proved once again that common pantry staples are surprisingly versatile.”