Muraglia Olive Oil: How to Upcycle the Iconic Ceramic Bottles

Muraglia Oil Bottles — Life Beyond The First Purchase.

At Carluccio’s, we believe that true Italian style is timeless. This is never more evident than in our collection of Muraglia olive oils. While the award-winning, cold-pressed oil inside is the star of any salad or pasta dish, the vessels themselves—hand-painted ceramic bottles from Puglia—are works of art in their own right.

Each rainbow-striped or patterned jar is handcrafted by artisans using traditional pottery techniques. It feels almost sinful to part with something so beautiful once the oil has run dry.

If you’ve finished your latest bottle, here are four elegant ways to upcycle your Muraglia ceramics and keep a splash of Italian vibrance in your home.

1. A Mediterranean Bud Vase

The narrow neck and sturdy base of the Muraglia bottle make it an ideal vase for long-stemmed flowers. Whether it’s a single sunflower to match the yellow stripes or a few sprigs of dried eucalyptus, these bottles add a pop of Puglian colour to a mantelpiece or bedside table.

2. The Ultimate Oil & Vinegar Refill

The most natural second life for a Muraglia bottle is to keep it exactly as it was intended. Once thoroughly cleaned, use it as a permanent decanter. You can purchase our   Carluccio’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil and use a funnel to refill your ceramic jar. It looks far more sophisticated on the dining table than a supermarket plastic bottle and protects the oil from light, keeping it fresher for longer.

3. A Rustic Kitchen Utensil Holder

If you have a collection of the larger Muraglia bottles, they make fantastic holders for smaller kitchen essentials. While the neck is too slim for bulky spatulas, they are the perfect height for holding tasting spoons, reusable metal straws, or even your favourite pastry brushes. Grouping three bottles of different patterns together creates a stunning focal point on your kitchen worktop.

4. An Artistic Candle Holder

For a touch of Al Fresco atmosphere indoors, use your bottle as a chic candle holder. The weight of the ceramic ensures stability for tall taper candles.

• Top Tip: Choose a candle in a contrasting colour—like a deep Mediterranean blue or a vibrant orange—to lean into the maximalist Italian aesthetic. As the wax drips down the ceramic ridges, it creates a unique, rustic look.

How to Clean Your Bottle for Reuse

Before upcycling, it is vital to remove all traces of the original oil to prevent it from going rancid.

1. The Initial Rinse: Fill the bottle with very warm (not boiling) water and a generous squeeze of grease-cutting dish soap.

2. The Shake: Give it a vigorous shake and let it sit for ten minutes.

3. The Secret Weapon: If the residue is stubborn, add a tablespoon of uncooked rice or coarse salt with the soapy water and shake again. The grains act as a gentle abrasive to scrub the internal walls.

4. Air Dry: Leave the bottle upside down to dry completely before refilling or repurposing.

Each Muraglia bottle tells a story of Italian heritage and craftsmanship. By repurposing yours, you’re not just being sustainable—you’re bringing a piece of the Italian sun into your home permanently.