10 Uses For Essential Oils In Your Home

Sure, essential oils smell nice. But what can you do with them other than put them in a diffuser to help freshen up your home?

As one who did not initially own a diffuser when I first received a gift basket of essential oils for Christmas one year, I set about discovering new and exciting uses for them. Starting with my favorite, I love using my essential oils for:

• 1. Baths: Oh there is no bath like one that is filled with the aroma of my favorite essential oil. Add 6 to 8 drops of your favorite scent to your bath directly, or dissolve it into either 1 tsp of vegetable oil or 1/4 cup of milk.

TIP: You can also make your own bath salts to add to your bath! Take 1/4 cup of sea or Epsom salt and scent with 3 to 6 drops of an essential oil. Pampering at its best!

• 2. Air Freshener: Forget those potentially hazardous and costly sprays you can find on any grocery store shelf. Fill 600 ml of water in a fine spray bottle and add 6 to 8 drops of your favorite essential oil or oil combinations and spray away!

NOTE: Avoid spraying near velvets, silks, or wood items.

• 3. Clothes Freshener: This one doubles as a moth deterrent! Dab cotton balls with an essential oil and place them in the corners of drawers and closets.
• 4. Linen Spray: This is a direct spray (similar to some commercial brands out there) that will leave your clothes and furniture smelling great! Grab a spray bottle and fill with water. After adding a few drops of your preferred essential oil, spritz your garments and furniture with a light, fragrant mist.
• 5. Fridge ‘Freshener: Right before you give your fridge that final scrub down, clean it out with a drop of essential oil to dispel any lingering odors.

TIP: When cleaning your fridge, consider using orange, lavender, lemon, mandarin or mint oil for best results.

• 6. Light Bulbs: For an added fragrant blast in your home or office, try rubbing a drop or two of oil onto a cold light bulb. Screw the light bulb and turn on the light. As the light bulb heats up, the scent will slowly begin to fill the entire room.
• 7. Natural Remedy: Tea tree oil is an essential for your first aid kit. This oil will help with any cuts, burns or even head lice.
• 8. Personal Perfume: Not a fan of the store brand perfumes that are laden with chemicals? Make your own with your on essential oil concoction. Dilute your mix with Jojoba oil to make it last all day long.
• 9. Kitchen Cleaner: While cleaning your kitchen, add a drop of any essential oil to your kitchen cloth and scrub away!

TIP: Try using cypress, lavender, lemon, Palma rose or thyme oils in the kitchen

• 10. All-Around House Freshener: No matter what area of the house you would like to keep smelling fresh (even your shoes!) adding a drop or two of any essential oil to a cotton ball and then placing it in a discreet place will help keep any house smelling great.

photo by Jeff Hire