How to Use Essential Oils in Your Home

Quick and Dirty Tips
by Quick and Dirty Tips
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From cleaning your home to healing your body, essential oils are versatile and completely natural. Here are Domestic CEO's 10 quick tips on using essential oils in your home.
The uses of essential oils are endless! From cleaning your home to healing your body, essential oils are versatile and completely natural. I know I am always interested in finding a natural, more chemical-free way of living my life. Essential oils are…well…essential in reaching that goal.


Using essential oils in your home is easier than you think. Here is a list of my 10 favorite uses:


Tip 1: Natural Carpet Deodorizer


To create a clean, natural carpet deodorizer, combine 1 cup of baking soda with 5-6 drops of essential oil; orange or lavender oil are good choices for this. Mix the baking soda and oil well; then add to a shaker (a parmesan cheese container works well). Sprinkle all over your carpets and let sit for 15 minutes. The baking soda will absorb funky smells and the oil will freshen and deodorize your carpets. Vacuum as usual.
Tip 2: Plug-In Air Freshener Refill


You know those glass plug-in air freshener containers? You don’t have to throw them out when they’re empty. Refill and reuse them!


Simply pry out the wick with a sharp knife. Fill the reservoir halfway with your favorite essential oil. Add filtered water to fill. Shake to mix the oil and water. Replace the wick and plug in as usual. Using essential oils as an air freshener is not only a money saver but it’s a much healthier, natural alternative to the original ingredients in a plug-in air freshener.


Some of my favorite oils to use are cinnamon, peppermint, orange, and lemon. You can get creative by mixing your oils, too. Try cinnamon and orange or lemon and vanilla. See what other combinations you can come up with!


Tip 3: Homemade Fabric Freshener


Those spray fabric fresheners you see at the store are a nice thing to use around the house, but what’s exactly in that plastic bottle? Exactly.


If you make it yourself, you have control over the ingredients.


Here is what you need to make your own: 1 empty spray bottle (16 ounces or larger), 1 tablespoon baking soda, 2 cups filtered water, 10 drops of essential oil. Mix the baking soda and essential oil in a small dish. Use a fork to mix. Add this to the spray bottle and top off with 2 cups of water. Gently shake the mixture before using it. Choose your favorite essential oil or try your own combination. You really can’t go wrong. If you like the scent, then you’ve got a winner!


Tip 4: Mold Killer


Tea tree oil is the perfect solution for killing mold in those little cracks and crevices in your shower or tub area. Mix 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil in 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spritz the affected areas and let dry. Do not wipe off. This should do the trick.


Tip 5: Furniture Dusting Spray


Instead of using an aerosol spray, why not make your own furniture spray? This saves money and is a much healthier alternative. Here’s the easy recipe: mix 2 teaspoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon lemon oil, ¼ cup vinegar, and 1 ¾ cup filtered water into a spray bottle. Mix well and start spraying.


Tip 6: Antibacterial Room Spray


Using essential oils to make your own room spray is a terrific option. Not only are you saving the ozone, but you’re saving money, too! It’s so easy, just mix 10 drops of your favorite essential oil and 1 cup filtered water in a spray bottle. Spritz every time you want a clean fresh scent. You can also spray this on the toilet and let air dry so you get more of the antibacterial component of this mix.


Tip 7: Mouse Repellent


Did you know that mice hate peppermint? It's true and can be used to your advantage. Mix 2 teaspoons of peppermint oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spritz this mixture anywhere you see mouse droppings or you think a mouse might have been. The peppermint should deter them and you won't have to deal with toxic chemicals typically used for killing rodents.


Tip 8: Bathroom Deodorizer


This is so simple! Just squeeze a drop or two of your favorite scented essential oil inside the toilet paper roll before putting it on the holder. Every time you roll the paper you will release the fresh scent of the oil into the bathroom.


Tip 9: Sleep-Inducing Scented Sheets


Lavender is a very relaxing, sleep-encouraging scent. Even if you don't suffer from insomnia, you will enjoy the calming scent of lavender on your bedding. Mix 10 drops of lavender oil with 1 cup of filtered water and add this to a spray bottle with a very fine mist option. Spritz this mixture on your pillowcase and sheets about 30 minutes before going to bed. This gives the mist time to evaporate so your sheets aren’t moist, but leaves the wonderful lavender smell to lull you into a restful night’s sleep.


Tip 10: Dish and Dishwasher Cleanser


A few drops of lemon oil sprinkled in the dishwasher before running a load will make the dishes sparkle and will cut soap and mineral deposits on the interior of your dishwasher. Double duty from a couple of drops of oil. Quite a bang for your buck!


I have barely scratched the surface of all the ways to use essential oils.


Purchasing a starter kit of essential oils is a wise first step in implementing these multi-purpose oils into your everyday life. Here's a link to a great starter kit of high quality oils for quite an affordable price. Once you start using essential oils in your home, you’ll be amazed at the many uses you will find for them. If moving towards a fresher, cleaner, and more organic way of living is your goal, essential oils are a must!


Until next time, I’m the Domestic CEO helping you love your home.
This post was originally published on Quick and Dirty Tips. Check it out at http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/house-home/housekeeping/how-to-use-essential-oils-in-your-home
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  • Sandi Monroe Sandi Monroe on May 28, 2018

    Sorry this may be a little off topic, but anyone know a mixture for keeping bugs off Hosta plants using essential oils? I have a lovely garden of Hosta until some bugs chew holes all through the leaves

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  • Kathy Ruth Kathy Ruth on Mar 27, 2015
    You need some alcohol in your liquid mixes to get the oils to disperse. I usually use equal parts filtered water and cheap vodka--works great!
  • Sandi Monroe Sandi Monroe on May 15, 2018

    Thank you. I love freshening with Essential oil’s

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