Olive Oil Uses You've Never Tried

August is National Olive Oil Month and an excuse to celebrate all of the unexpected ways that we can incorporate olive oil into our lives - not just into our diets!

1. DIY Home Hacks

Homemade Furniture Polish

Combine 2 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice in a clean recycled spray bottle. Shake and spritz and let the mixture set in for a minute or two before wiping clean with a towel. eave on the mixture for a minute or two, then wipe off with a clean terry-cloth or paper towel to reveal your restored, shiny furniture.

Pro Tip: Use the dampened olive oil covered towel to dust and clean TV screens, other furniture and countertops!

Restore Your Old Baseball Mitt

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Have a dirty old baseball mitt that is collecting dust in your attic? Apply olive oil in the mitt and allow it to sit for about half an hour. Afterwards, just wipe it off and the mitt will look and feel as good as new!

2. Baked Goods

Olive oil can be an easy and healthy substitution for other cooking oils in most baked recipes, but what many people don't think about is using olive oil to enhance their baked goods and desserts.

Olive Oil Cake

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The olive oil in the batter is the secret to a moist, tender cake with lots of character.

For a fruitier, more pronounced olive-oil flavor use an extra-virgin variety, while regular olive oil yields a lighter taste.

Finishing Drizzle on Rich Chocolate Desserts

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Olive Oil is also a fantastic addition when drizzled on top of chocolate tarts or mousse, like this one from popular LA restaurant, Bestia.

Pro Tip: For drizzling, use a PDO Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil to best compliment the rich chocolate flavors

3. Beauty Tricks

Most of us know that olive oil is good for us, but not many know about its ability to help you achieve glowing, healthy, younger-looking skin and hair.

Hair Conditioner

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Feel like your hair is as dry as the desert? Heat half a cup of olive oil and apply on your hair, cover it with plastic or shower cap. Allow it to stay in your hair for 45 minutes, shampoo, and rinse to reveal stronger, glossier locks!

Eye-Makeup Remover

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Olive oil grabs onto other oil-based products and is a great way to remove stubborn eye makeup.