7 Easy Ways To Use Essential Oils Around The Home
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Are you looking for natural and effective ways to enhance your home's ambiance, improve your skin and sleep, and even repel insects? Look no further than essential oils. These concentrated plant extracts have been used for centuries for their therapeutic properties and pleasant scents. With a little creativity, you can easily incorporate essential oils into your daily routine to improve your home's environment and boost your well-being. They're also a cost-effective solution for many applications as only a few drops are usually needed.
In this article, we'll share seven simple and practical ways to use essential oils around your home, from making your own reed diffusers and soothing irritated skin to freshening up your laundry and keeping insects at bay. Whether you're new to essential oils or a seasoned user, these tips will help you get the most out of these versatile and natural wonders.
7 easy ways to use essential oils around the home
As an essential oils and aromatherapy novice, I realise I've been missing out on all the benefits essential oils and essential oil brands have to offer. Essential oils are incredibly versatile and natural, with a wide range of uses in both commercial and homemade products. They can be used to improve the ambiance of your home, improve your health and well-being, and even act as natural alternatives to harsh chemicals.
I've discovered there are many brands of essential oils which can be easily purchased online, such as Neal's Yard, Nikura and New Directions Aromatics who each have a huge collection of essential oil. I was inspired to dive deeper into the different ways that essential oils can be used and was amazed at the variety of applications and benefits that I hadn't considered before. From creating DIY reed diffusers to soothing irritated skin and even keeping insects at bay, the possibilities are endless.
We have started using an essential oil burner in our home to scent out home naturally and I use some of the empty bottles to sniff the scents for calming purposes until the scents become to weak to notice. There are also many other ways that these oils can be used. I am excited to continue experimenting with and incorporating essential oils into my daily routine and here are 7 ways they can be used around the home:
1. DIY reed diffusers
DIY reed diffusers are a great way to naturally fragrance your home and create a relaxing atmosphere. To make your own essential oil blend, you will need essential oils, pure vodka and water. Mix ¼ cup of vodka and ¼ cup of water in a container. Then, add 20-25 drops of your desired essential oil or blend of oils. Experiment with different oils and combinations to create your own unique scent. You can use an old reed diffuser jar or create your own by making a small hole in the top of a jar lid. Special diffuser reeds are available online and can be inserted into the jar to diffuse the oils into the air. This is a simple, chemical-free way to enjoy the benefits and scents of essential oils in your home. You can also use your blends in a diffuser, nebulizer or oil burner.
2. Irritated skin
Irritated skin can be a nuisance and can cause discomfort, redness, and even pain. Essential oils, such as lavender oil, can be a natural and effective solution to soothe irritated skin. Here's a soothing skin care tip with essnetial oils: To use, mix a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. The carrier oil will help to dilute the essential oil and also provide additional benefits for the skin. Rub the mixture onto the affected area gently, taking care not to irritate the skin further.
Lavender oil is particularly useful for irritated skin as it has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It can help to reduce redness and calm the skin, promoting a more even complexion and reducing discomfort. Additionally, it has been known to have a relaxing and soothing effect, which can also help to reduce stress and tension in the skin.
It's important to note that before applying any essential oils on skin, it's best to do a patch test first to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions. Also for optimum skincare results you should use organic oils as they won't contain any traces of harmful chemicals.
3. Sleep aid
A good night's sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. However, many people struggle with insomnia and other sleep disorders. There are ways to help such as using a white noise sound machine with soothing noises to help you drift off, or another natural way to promote a restful sleep is by using essential oils, such as lavender oil.
To use lavender oil as a sleep aid, dilute a few drops of the oil in a small water spritz bottle. Spray the mixture onto your pillows and bedding before bedtime. The scent of lavender is known to be calming and relaxing, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of calm. This can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Lavender oil has been shown to have a relaxing effect on the mind and body and has been traditionally used to improve sleep quality, reduce insomnia, and promote a more restful sleep. Additionally, it has been known to have a soothing effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety and improve overall mood.
It's important to note that while lavender oil can be a helpful aid to promote a good night's sleep, it's best to also address any underlying issues that may be causing difficulty sleeping, such as stress, working from home causing insomnia, poor sleep hygiene or not having a relaxing bedroom set-up. Additionally, it's recommended to use pure and high-quality essential oils for best results.
4. Smelly bathrooms
Bathrooms can be a breeding ground for unpleasant odours, especially if not properly cleaned and ventilated. Fortunately, essential oils can be a natural and effective way to freshen up the bathroom and keep it smelling fresh.
One way to use essential oils in the bathroom is by adding a few drops of your desired oil into the water in the toilet bowl before flushing. This can help to neutralise any odours and leave a pleasant scent behind. Some essential oils that are particularly effective for freshening up bathrooms include lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree.
Another way to keep your bathroom smelling fresh is by adding a couple of drops of essential oils to the inside of a new toilet roll. As the roll is used, the oils will be released, leaving a pleasant scent behind. This is a great way to keep the bathroom smelling fresh without the use of harsh chemicals.
To get the most out of your essential oils, it's important to use high-quality, pure oils. And also keep in mind that regular cleaning and proper ventilation can help to prevent bad bathroom odours from building up in the first place.
5. Keep insects outside
Summertime can be a great season for enjoying the outdoors, but it can also bring a host of unwanted guests - flying insects. These pesky bugs can not only be a nuisance but can also pose a health risk as they can carry diseases. Fortunately, essential oils can be a natural and effective form of pest control to keep them outside of your home. It's also an affordable way of doing pest control yourself that's non-toxic.
One way to use essential oils to repel flying insects is by adding drops of lemon or citronella around windows and doors. These oils have a strong, fresh scent that flying insects tend to avoid. Citronella oil, in particular, is commonly used as a natural insect repellent and has been traditionally used to repel mosquitoes, flies, and other flying insects.
Another way to use essential oils to repel flying insects is by diffusing them in the air. You can use an essential oil diffuser or make your own DIY reed diffusers with essential oils and water. This can help to create a barrier of scent around your home and keep flying insects at bay.
It's important to note that essential oils alone may not be sufficient to repel all types of flying insects, and a combination of essential oils and other natural and chemical-free methods may be needed to achieve the best results.
6. Pleasant laundry
Laundry day can be a tedious task, but essential oils can make it a little more enjoyable by adding a pleasant scent to your clothes. One way to use essential oils in laundry is by adding a few drops of a light floral scented oil to a cloth and placing it in the tumble dryer with your clothes.
This can help to infuse your clothes with a pleasant scent that can last for days. Some essential oils that are particularly effective for adding a pleasant scent to laundry include lavender, lemon, orange, and eucalyptus. These oils have a fresh and clean smell that can refresh your clothes and make them smell wonderful.
Another way to use essential oils in laundry is by adding a few drops to your natural laundry detergent or fabric softener. This can help to infuse your clothes with a pleasant scent as they are washed and dried.
It's important to note that some essential oils can be harsh on certain fabrics, so it's best to test a small amount of oil on a hidden area of the fabric before adding it to the entire load.
7. Fruit rinse
Fruits are a healthy and delicious addition to any diet, but they can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and other contaminants. To ensure that your fruits are clean and safe to eat, as well as ridding them of some of the pesticide residues if not organic, it's important to properly wash them before consumption. Essential oils can be a natural and effective way to clean and preserve the freshness of your fruits.
One way to use essential oils to clean fruits is by using lemon or grapefruit seed oil. These oils have natural antiseptic properties that can help to remove bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants from the surface of the fruits. To use, simply add a few drops of the oil to a bowl of water and wash your fruits in the solution.
Another way to use essential oils to preserve the freshness of fruits is by adding a few drops of the oil to a container or bag where the fruits are stored. This can help to keep the fruits fresher for longer by slowing down the process of oxidation.
It's important to note that when using essential oils to clean fruits, it's best to use pure, organic and high-quality oils. And also it's recommended to rinse the fruits well after cleaning with essential oils to remove any residue.
The final word on easy ways to use essential oils around the home
In conclusion, essential oils are a versatile and natural solution for many different household and personal care needs. From creating your own reed diffusers to freshen the air in your home, to soothing irritated skin and promoting a restful sleep, essential oils have a wide range of benefits and uses. The tips and ideas shared in this article are just a few examples of how you can use essential oils in your daily life, but the possibilities are endless. Whether you're new to essential oils or have been using them for a while, these tips will help you get the most out of these natural wonders. Remember to use pure and high-quality essential oils for best results and always do patch test before applying it on skin. With essential oils, you can create a healthier and more pleasant environment for yourself and your loved ones.