Household oils

1. To polish wood : try the following homemade polish to care for and restore the gleam to wooden furniture :- a) combine one cup of olive oil with 1/2 cup of lemon juice and briskly whisk it (can substitute lemon juice with vinegar). b) pour the mixture into a clean plastic spray bottle and thoroughly shake the bottle prior to use. c) spray the mixture on the wood surface and leave it to seep into the wood for 2-3 minutes. d) using paper towel or cloth, wipe off the mixture. e) buff the surface with clean cloth.


2. To polish metal fixtures : if the metal fixtures (doorknobs, tap, faucet etc) are looking a little jaded, pour a few drops of vegetable oil on a soft cloth and gently polish the metal. Also applicable to keep your stainless steel, iron or titanium golf club heads in good condition.

3. To preserve cast iron cooking utensils : a) wash and thoroughly dry off the cast iron item. b) pour a little vegetable oil into the utensil and rub the oil in. c) use a paper towel to lightly dab off any excess oil leaving a very fine layer of oil on the item. d) store the cookware away as usual.

4. To separate stuck glass vessels : a simple technique to "break" the bond between the glass items is to apply a few drops of oil along the circumference where the glass items are joined. Keep aside the stuck items for 10 minutes to allow the oil to slowly work it ways down. Then slide the stuck glass items apart.

5. To quieten noisy hinges : when faced with a squeaky door or window grill, try pouring a little baby oil into a spray bottle and simply squirt a little oil on the problem hinge. Wipe off any excess oil with paper towel or rag.

6. As an organic pesticide : neem oil has numerous uses that range from medicinal to killing garden insects. to make your own organic pesticide simply add 2 tablespoon of neem oil into 31/2 litres of water and mix thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray plants until thoroughly wet. Do not neglect to spray the underside of the leaves as well.