Genius uses for essential oils in your home
<p><strong>Use as a natural fragrance</strong></p>
<p>With all the talk about the dangers of phthalates, which are found in many commercial air fresheners and have been shown to decrease thyroid function over time, it’s nice to know that essential oils can be used as an all-natural scent booster. And you don’t even need to own a diffuser. Place sweet orange, lavender, or lime essential oil on a cotton ball and tape it to the back of a flower pot or the bottom of a chair, advises Erin Stewart, certified aromatherapist, herbalist, and founder of AromaCulture.</p>
<p>“It will release the aroma of the essential oil into the air and leave your house smelling fresh,” she says. She also recommends placing a drop or two of essential oil into a bowl of clay diffuser beads or pebbles in the bathroom. “The clay will act as a diffuser, slowly releasing the aroma of the essential oil into the room and acting as a natural air freshener.”</p>
<p><strong>Disinfect your bench tops</strong></p>
<p>Since many essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, they are well-suited for use in simple homemade cleaning products. Plus, think of all the cash you’ll save on overpriced (and overly processed) commercial varieties.</p>
<p>Stewart recommends adding 2 to 3 drops of lemon, lavender, sweet orange, or tea tree essential oil to some diluted liquid castile soap in a small spray bottle. “You can use this combination to wipe down your kitchen and bathroom counters and other non-porous surfaces,” she says.</p>
<p><strong>Clean your toilet</strong></p>
<p>You can even use the same essential oils as for countertop cleaners – lemon, lavender, sweet orange, or tea tree – to keep your toilet spick and span. Stewart recommends DIYing your own “toilet tabs” by stirring a couple of drops of one of these essential oils into a bowl of baking soda, spraying the mixture lightly with water and then pressing the baking soda mixture into a silicon mould (like for ice cubes or brownies).</p>
<p>“Let it sit overnight to dry and, the next morning, remove the tabs from the mould and store them in an airtight jar,” she says. “Toss one into the toilet before you shower each day and flush when you get out of the shower to keep your toilet fresh between deep cleanings.”</p>
<p><strong>Swap out grocery items</strong></p>
<p>Instead of buying a heap of herbs that will go bad in a week, replace them with essential oils. “The rule is to use one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of herbs in your favourite recipe,” says Maat van Uitert, essential oil expert. Essential oils can also be used in desserts.</p>
<p>“If you love chocolate mint patties, you can make a homemade version using one drop of peppermint – and, if you’re trying to lose weight and don’t like the taste of water, you can add one drop of orange essential oil to 250ml of water to make it more palatable.” You can also add 1 to 2 drops of lemon essential oil to your water bottle to give it some zing.</p>
<p><strong>Wash fresh fruit and veggies</strong></p>
<p>Just thinking about how many hands have touched the surfaces of the fruits and vegetables you buy at your local supermarket can give you a ballpark idea of the amount of germs that may be on them – and that’s not including any pesticides that may have been sprayed on them at the farm.</p>
<p>As well as washing them with water, use essential oils. Sally Pansing Kravich, celebrity holistic nutritionist and author, recommends adding five drops of lemon essential oil to a large bowl of water to wash fruits and veggies.</p>
<p><strong>Protect lawns and gardens</strong></p>
<p>Most commercial products for pest control aren’t kid- or pet-safe and contain chemicals harmful to your local ecosystem, notes van Uitert.</p>
<p>His advice: If insects are destroying your lawn or garden, combine 10 drops of essential oil with 250ml of water and castile soap for organic pest control. Use a spray attachment with your hose and spray the insects away.</p>
<p><strong>Keep flying bugs away</strong></p>
<p>One of the few downsides to summer weather is the influx of relentless outdoor pests. With so many dangerous chemical combinations being used in commercial insect repellents, why not make your own more affordable and less harmful spray?</p>
<p>For a great natural alternative to chemical bug sprays with DEET in them, Ed Foy, co-founder of Clear Scents, suggests trying this recipe: In a small spray bottle, combine 60-120ml of distilled water, 45ml witch hazel or vodka, and 30 to 50 drops of your favourite essential oil. You can add more or less essential oil depending how strong you want the fragrance to be. Use the spray around your outdoor seating areas.</p>
<p><strong>Deter crawling bugs</strong></p>
<p>If ants are invading your home – or camping tent – cinnamon essential oil can help. “The cinnamon interacts with their nervous system and prevents them from communicating with other ants, forcing them to leave the area,” says van Uitert.</p>
<p>“Even better, you won’t have to worry about your child or pet ingesting toxins.” Lemongrass is another great solution. Try diluting 10 to 20 drops of the stuff in 60-120ml of water. Shake it up and spray the area where you’re hoping to ward off bugs. One whiff of the stuff and they’ll head in another direction.</p>
<p><strong>Boost the scent of laundry</strong></p>
<p>If your detergent isn’t leaving your clothes smelling quite as fresh as you’d like, it’s not that you’re making these <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/14-laundry-myths-that-are-ruining-your-clothes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">common laundry mistakes</a>. It’s that you haven’t been taking advantage of non-toxic scenting power of essential oils. Try adding essential oils to laundering or drying clothes to give them a clean, natural smell.</p>
<p>“Whether you’re using a homemade or store-bought detergent or fabric softener, just add several drops of your favourite essential oil such as lavender, lemongrass or peppermint, and launder as usual,” says Foy. “You can also condition your clothes in the dryer by adding essential oil to any wool dryer ball.” This hypoallergenic alternative is sure to leave your clothes feeling soft and smelling great every time.</p>
<p><strong>Spray away sunburn</strong></p>
<p>You probably already know that applying lemon essential oil to your hair while you’re out in the sun can create natural blonde highlights, but you might be surprised to know that essential oils can also take the sting away from a sunburn.</p>
<p>“If you’ve been out in the sun too long, combine one-half cup witch hazel with 3 tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel and five drops of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle,” suggests van Uitert. Shake to mix and apply to your body as needed. “The aloe vera and lavender are soothing!”</p>
<p><strong>Sooth pain</strong></p>
<p>Have a headache? Sure, you can pop an over-the-counter pain medication like aspirin or ibuprofen, but another option, and an all-natural one at that, is to treat pain with essential oils.</p>
<p>“Combine almond oil with four drops peppermint essential oil, two drops rosemary essential oil, one drop lavender essential oil, one drop chamomile essential oil, and one drop frankincense essential oil,” suggests Peggy O’Kelly, essential oil expert. “Shake up and apply to temples, pulse points, and back of neck.”</p>
<p><strong>Relieve allergies</strong></p>
<p>Seasonal allergies can be downright debilitating. And, while there are countless store-bought medications and products that promise to provide relief, there are plenty of all-natural solutions for stopping seasonal allergies in their tracks. One is through the use of an aromatherapy inhaler (they look like a lip balm tube with a cotton ‘wick’ inside).</p>
<p>“On the cotton wick, add four drops of cedarwood, four drops of sweet orange and seven drops of eucalyptus,” suggests Butje. “Close the inhaler up and use it as needed to calm sniffling and sneezing. It will last two months.”</p>
<p><strong>Clean carpets</strong></p>
<p>Having a clean and fresh-smelling carpet can be a lot more affordable when you DIY your own cleanser. In fact, as long as you have baking soda and some divine essential oils, you’re good to go. “Baking soda is great for removing pet and food odors, and essential oils will leave your carpet and entire room smelling brand new,” says Kravich.</p>
<p>She recommends vacuuming first to pick up any surface dirt or hair and then combining two cups of baking soda with one of the following combinations: 10 drops orange or lemon, five drops lemongrass and five drops tea tree, or 10 drops lavender essential oil, five drops clove and five drops cinnamon. “Sprinkle the mixture over the entire area of your carpet and use a sponge or dry brush to make sure it penetrates to the carpet bottom,” she adds. “Let stand for at least two hours or more and then vacuum thoroughly.”</p>
<p><strong>Get grime off floors</strong></p>
<p>People have been cleaning their homes with water and vinegar for decades (check out these 95 household uses for vinegar), and the all-natural solution still stands the test of time. But, let’s be honest, no one really enjoys the lingering smell of vinegar. And if you use it on your floors, the scent is sure to make its way into the entire room.</p>
<p>Instead, Priti Robyn Ross E-RYT, advanced yoga instructor and wellness advocate for dōTERRA essential oils, recommends adding five drops each of orange and lemon essential oils into a mixture of one bucket of warm water and one cup white vinegar. It kills the smell of the vinegar, and citrus essential oils add antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.</p>
<p><strong>Ease aching muscles</strong></p>
<p>There’s a good reason just about every massage therapist incorporates essential oils into his or her practice: They have incredibly powerful soothing effects when applied topically to the skin. One study found essential oils to be beneficial not only for relaxation, sleep, and pain relief, but also for a reduction of depressive symptoms in dementia patients.</p>
<p>Foy recommends trying this soothing recipe on aching muscles: In a small bottle, combine a ½ ounce grapeseed oil and 8 to 10 drops each of lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oil. Shake together and rub on areas for added comfort and relaxation.</p>
<p><strong>Soften and grow your hair</strong></p>
<p>Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, has been used for centuries to promote and maintain healthy, natural looking hair, according to Foy. “The strong antifungal and antiseptic properties of this oil make it extremely effective at combating common ailments such as dandruff, itchy scalp and head lice,” he says.</p>
<p>One study published in the Archives of Dermatology even linked essential oil use to hair growth in patients with alopecia. Foy recommends adding several drops of your favourite essential oil to your regular hair conditioner and use as normal, or massage it directly into the scalp after a bath or shower.</p>
<p><strong>Customise the scent of your lotion</strong></p>
<p>Unscented lotion and essential oils are a match made in heaven. “There are endless options available for mixing your favourite scents with any unscented lotions,” says Foy.</p>
<p>“Most lotions have already been formulated to restore moisture to your skin, but adding in your own essential oils will only bring additional benefits.” Lavender, lemongrass and tea tree are some of the more popular oils that have been dermatologically tested and proven to help restore and maintain the natural properties of your skin.</p>
<p><strong>Give yourself a facial</strong></p>
<p>One of the easiest ways to incorporate essential oils into your skin care routine is to treat yourself to a weekly facial steam – they’re surprisingly easy to do! Stewart recommends boiling a cup or two of water and pouring it into a heat safe bowl. “Place the bowl on the table where you’re going to sit for your facial steam, and add the hot water.”</p>
<p>Next, add one drop of a skin-nourishing essential oil like lavender or rose to the water of the bowl. Close your eyes and hold your clean, makeup-free face 30cm above the bowl for 1 to 3 minutes. “Keep your eyes closed throughout the whole steam, and if it feels too hot or uncomfortable, give yourself a little more space between you and the bowl.”</p>
<p><strong>Clean makeup brushes</strong></p>
<p>Believe it or not, beauty experts recommend washing your makeup brushes once a week But store-bought cleaners can be pricey, and if you break out easily you might be concerned about the ingredient list on manufactured varieties. Instead, make your own brush cleanser using essential oils.</p>
<p>O’Kelly recommends combining two tablespoons witch hazel, ½ teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, two teaspoons of castile soap, and 20 drops of tea tree essential oil, which has antifungal properties. Shake it well and then pour it into a bowl. Gently swirl your brushes around in the mixture until clean. Rinse with water, squeeze out excess liquid, and set out to try.</p>
<p><strong>Deodorise sports gear</strong></p>
<p>If you have smelly athletes running around your home, essential oils can help get rid of that icky, sweaty smell.</p>
<p>Ross recommends adding two drops each of tea tree and lemon essential oils in one quart of warm water along with four tablespoons of baking soda. Mix it together and use to clean everything from jerseys to cleats, sports accessories and running shoes.</p>
<p><strong>Remove shower curtain scum</strong></p>
<p>That dark, filmy, bacteria that builds up when water interacts with soap, dirt and other substances during your shower is undoubtedly disgusting – not to mention that mould and mildew can literally make you sick.</p>
<p>Rather than apply harsh, commercial products that contain a laundry list of dangerous chemicals, try this solution that Ross recommends. “Fill a 475ml spray bottle with warm water and add in four drops eucalyptus oil and four drops tea tree oil. Spray onto your shower for natural mould-killing action!”</p>
<p><strong>Freshen your garbage bin</strong></p>
<p>Even if you’re careful not to let any waste touch the rim of your garbage bom, it’s inevitable that the bag will start to smell. Instead of spraying store-bought freshener, Ross recommends a combination of purifying and odour-eliminating essential oils.</p>
<p>“Add several drops of wild orange, lemon and tea tree essential oils to a cotton ball,” she says. “You’ll be amazed at how well it detoxifies your whole bin!”</p>
<p><strong>Ease digestive discomfort</strong></p>
<p>Before you reach for that over-the-counter digestive remedy, try this all-natural, essential oil-infused solution. “Peppermint and ginger make an excellent digestive blend, so apply the oils all over your body, from your stomach to your feet,” suggests Ross.</p>
<p>Studies have found both peppermint and ginger to be useful in soothing an upset stomach and aiding digestion, particularly in relieving irritable bowel syndrome.</p>
<p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>
<p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/genius-uses-for-essential-oils-in-your-home?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>
