Essential oil use does not have to be complicated. Once you know the basic properties of an oil, it’s easy to discover new ways to use them. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to use these beneficial oils in your life. Here are 59 to get you started:
- Make an all-purpose cleaner: Some essential oils have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Why not maximize that power in a homemade cleaner? Mix three drops of tea tree oil, three drops of lemon oil and three drops of clove or oregano oil in two cups of water. Spray the cleaner onto any surface and allow to sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe clean. Your surfaces will be disinfected.
- Keep mosquitoes at bay: Mosquitoes hate the smell of some essential oils. Take advantage of this by creating your own mosquito repellant. Mix one drop of eucalyptus oil, one drop of peppermint oil, one drop of citronella oil, and one drop of lemongrass oil with one teaspoon of coconut oil. Store in a small container and apply to the skin as needed.
- Make a homemade sunscreen: Essential oils can help protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Mix three drops of helichrysum oil and three drops of lavender oil with one cup of coconut oil, ½ a cup of shea butter and 3 teaspoons of zinc oxide. Apply to the skin for a gentle sun barrier that is non-toxic.
- Shower cleaner: Place four drops of eucalyptus oil and four drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle along with 16 ounces of warm water. Spray on the shower and wipe clean to kill mold and remove soap scum.
- Simple carpet cleaner: Replace toxic cleaners with this natural version. Mix 20 drops of tea tree oil with one box of Borax and sprinkle onto carpets. Allow the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes, then vacuum away.
- Bug killer: Create a mixture of orange essential oil and clove oil in a small spray bottle. Spray the undiluted mixture on bugs for natural, effective pest control.
- Relieve stress: Lavender oil is known for its anti-anxiety and stress-relieving properties. Diffuse a few drops in your home right before bedtime to promote feelings of relaxation.
- Produce cleaner: Place two drops of lemon essential oil into a sink full of water. Place produce in the water and allow it to sit for a few minutes to remove unwanted bacteria from the surface of produce.
- Kitchen or bathroom freshener: Soak a cotton ball in lemon oil and place it in the kitchen or bathroom. The smell will instantly make the room feel cleaner and will cover unwanted odors.
- Fridge cleaner: While cleaning the fridge, add two or three drops of lime or grapefruit oil to the rinse water to eliminate bad fridge smells.
- Remove smoke smell: Place four drops of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, and rosemary oil in a spray bottle along with 16 ounces of water and spray into the air to remove lingering smoke smell.
- Freshen shoes: If your shoes smell bad, freshen them up and eliminate odor by adding two drops of tea tree oil to the inside of the shoe after cleaning. This will kill any bacteria or fungus causing the funky smell.
- Spot cleaner: If your dishes always come out spotty, add a few drops of lemon oil to the dishwasher before turning it on to remove all signs of spots after rinsing.
- Medical kit: Add essential oils with antibacterial properties to your medicine kit to provide care for minor cuts and bruises. Use tea tree, lemon, oregano, and frankincense for cuts and scrapes. Add lavender oil for a calming effect after an injury.
- Anti-nausea formula: Mix 10 drops of peppermint, lemon and fennel oil in a small bottle. Apply the mixture with a carrier oil externally when someone in the house feels nauseated.
- Remove unwanted trash smell: Place five drops of your favorite essential oil onto a cotton ball and place it inside your trash can. When the scent leaves, add a new soaked cotton ball to easily control trash smell or litter box smell.
- Gunk remover: Place five drops of lemon oil onto gum, sticker residue or other sticky substances to make it easy to remove with minimal effort.
- Animal repellant: If you are plagued by vermin like mice, spiders and other large bugs, soak a few cotton balls in peppermint oil. Place the peppermint balls near areas where vermin and bugs like to hang out to keep them away. The odor is too strong for the critters and will keep them away.
- Soothe sore feet: Add 10 drops of peppermint oil and vetiver oil to a tablespoon of Epson salt. Pour the mixture into a foot soaker tub or large basin and soak your feet for natural pain relief.
- Clean your hands: Use a few drops of antibacterial oils, such as oregano, clove, lemon and peppermint for an immune system boost that won’t interfere with your skin’s normal barrier of defense.
- Cramp relief: Mix two drops of basil, rosemary, and clary sage oil with a tablespoon of a carrier oil. Massage the mixture into the area suffering from cramps.
- Headache pain relief: Mix two drops of lavender oil with two drops of peppermint oil and a teaspoon of a carrier oil. Massage into your temples when you feel a headache coming on for pain relief.
- Congestion help: Mix two drops of fir oil with two drops of spruce oil and a teaspoon of a carrier oil. Rub onto your chest to relieve congestion.
- Improve skin health: Add 10-15 drops of peppermint oil or sweet birch oil to your bath to cool skin inflammation and promote healing. In the summer, this also has a cooling effect on the skin after you get out of the bath.
- Fever aid: When someone in the house has a fever, add one drop of peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus oil to a small basin of water. Apply the mixture to the forehead, back of the neck, and other areas of the body to bring down a fever.
- Energy boost: Rub a few drops of grapefruit oil between the palms of your hands for an instant energy boost.
- Tension relief: Rub a drop of lavender oil into the back of your neck to relieve tension.
- Sleep aid: Place a few drops of chamomile essential oil on your pillow to promote a good night’s sleep.
- Bruise remedy: Rub one drop of clove oil and four drops of lavender to bruises to help them heal faster.
- Reduce poison ivy inflammation: Mix half a teaspoon of a carrier oil with three drops of wintergreen oil and apply gently to the infected area to reduce inflammation and redness.
- Treat bee stings: Apply one drop of lavender oil to a bee sting to reduce pain and swelling.
- Ease motion sickness: Rub a few drops of peppermint oil into your hands and inhale deeply until symptoms dissipate. This works best when done before motion sickness gets too bad, right at the start of your journey.
- Remove new paint smells: While painting, add 10 drops of peppermint oil to the paint can to reduce the new paint smell. This will not affect the paint and your house will smell much better.
- Car air freshener: Add 10 drops of essential oil to a small spray bottle along with 16 ounces of warm water. Keep it in your car and spray your seats to keep them smelling fresh.
- Fire enhancer: Add 10 drops of frankincense oil to a log before burning to make your home smell delightful while burning wood.
- Dryer sheets: Soak some fabric strips in ½ a cup of vinegar and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Throw a strip into your dryer to add scent to your clothing without any chemical residue.
- Facial mist: Add three drops of lavender oil to a small spray bottle containing water. Apply to the face for a refreshing facial mist.
- Scented lotion: Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to any unscented lotion or coconut oil for a personalized scent blend.
- Perfume: Add 10 drops of your favorite three essential oils to alcohol to create your own unique perfume.
- Seasonal pick-me-up: If you are feeling blue, rub a drop of peppermint oil and grapefruit oil into your hands for an instant mood booster.
- Night relaxation: Add a few drops of rose essential oil to a rice bag and heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Place the bag on your forehead for soothing relaxation.
- Custom bath salts: Mix 20 to 30 drops of your favorite essential oils into a mixture of one cup Epsom salts and one cup baking soda.
- Hair refresher: On days when you don’t wash your hair, add five drops of essential oil to your brush to reinvigorate your hair.
- Wood polish: Mix ¼ cup of vinegar, two tablespoons of olive oil, ½ a teaspoon of lemon oil and 1 ½ cups of water in a spray bottle. Use to clean wood and other furniture.
- Homemade potpourri: Add a few drops of essential oils to wood shavings, dried flowers, or other potpourri blends for a customized scent.
- Wart fighter: Apply oregano essential oil to a cotton ball, place over the wart and cover with a band aid. Keep reapplying the oil until the wart is gone.
- Sugar scrub: Add 20 drops of essential oil to one cup of sugar and ½ a cup of coconut oil for a natural sugar scrub.
- Holiday blend: Diffuse a drop of cinnamon, fir, clove and vanilla oils for a winter holiday aroma.
- Room scent: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to the light bulbs in your house. When the light comes on, your house will smell great.
- Scented letters: Add one drop of essential oil to your letters before sending them for an extra personal touch.
- Homemade candles: When candle wax is melted, add 10 drops of your favorite essential oils for candles that smell great while burning.
- Invigorating soap: When making soap, add a few drops of peppermint oil to the mixture to make soap that helps you feel perky while taking a shower.
- Joint relief: Rub peppermint oil on sore joints for relief.
- Massage oil: Place a few drops of lavender oil into one teaspoon of olive oil and rub it into the skin for a soothing, relaxing massage.
- Chapped skin cure: Rub a drop of lavender oil on areas of the skin with rough, chapped places.
- Deodorant: Rub lavender oil or your favorite oil into your armpits each morning for natural odor control.
- Concentration aid: Rub a few drops of frankincense oil on the back of the neck to improve concentration.
- Nail strengthener: Mix two drops of frankincense oil with ½ a teaspoon of coconut oil and rub into nails to strengthen them.
These are only a few ways to use essential oils at home. Their uses are nearly endless and only require a bit of knowledge and imagination.
—The Alternative Daily