Why should You Use Essential Oils for Your Home?
You may have heard of the various uses and benefits of essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated extracts of plants. They are highly potent liquids that have gained popularity for their natural healing properties, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, and pleasant scents. Though they are more popular for aromatherapy, pure essential oils have a wide array of uses in one’s home.
8 Home Uses for Pure Essential Oils
How can you use pure essential oils in your home? Let’s discuss:
Deodorizer
Essential oils are known for their aromas. Since some of them were extracted from fragrant flowers and fruits, they tend to smell good. Pure essential oils have strong scents, so a few drops in a powerful diffuser can make your entire home smell fresh. Not only that, but each essential oil offers health and well-being benefits, such as mood-boosting and calming effects.
The most popular method for diffusing essential oil is through heat, either with a candle or with water, in an ultrasonic diffuser. However, heating up essential oils can alter their properties and render them less fragrant and less effective. Also, using water can dilute your oils and even promote the growth of fungus and mold. Instead, you can improve your aromatherapy experience with a Nebulizing Diffuser.
Essential Oils That Have the Most Pleasant Scents:
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- Cinnamon
- Patchouli
Cleaning Agent
Essential oils are an all-natural alternative to synthetic cleaning agents. Numerous essential oils have antibacterial and antiviral properties, which make them perfect for cleaning kitchen counters, tables, windows, and even toilets. This study shows that essential oils can inhibit the growth of bacteria by breaking down their cell membranes.
For best results, mix multiple essential oils with baking soda, white vinegar, or castile soap. Baking soda is alkaline and great as a stain remover, while white vinegar and castile soap have antibacterial properties. You can enhance those properties, as well as improve the scent of each substance, by mixing these traditional cleaning agents with essential oils.
The Best Antibacterial Essential Oils:
- Tea Tree Oil
- Lavender
- Thyme
- Cinnamon
- Clove
Disinfectant
We have already established the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of essential oils. However, essential oils are not only great for cleaning but also effective at keeping bacteria and viruses at bay. Essential oils have the ability to kill and inhibit the growth of bacteria. For viruses, essential oils can inhibit the replication of their cells and therefore prevent them from spreading.
Studies found that different essential oils work in different ways due to their varying compositions. Different essential oils work best against many types of bacteria and viruses. You can read more about this here.
Mosquito and Bug Repellent
Certain essential oils repel mosquitoes and bugs with their scent alone. However, they only became more popular as an insect repellent when DEET was found to have health and environmental effects. A study in 2018 found that combining different essential oils creates a synergistic interaction that increases their repellent effect. One of the drawbacks of using essential oils, however, is their high volatility. Their effectiveness usually lasts somewhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours. On the other hand, adding essential oils to your diffuser can also deter mosquitoes and bugs from entering your home.
Mosquito And Insect-Repelling Essential Oils:
- Citronella
- Lemon eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Oregano
Natural Pesticide
Essential oils also function as eco-friendly, natural pesticides for your plants. Unlike pesticides that tend to be toxic for insects, animals, and people, essential oils are non-toxic. They function as repellent through scent or as anti-feeders through their bitter taste.
For Pest Control:
- Lemongrass
- Eucalyptus
- Clove
- Thyme
For Warding Off Ants And Flies:
- Cinnamon
- Peppermint
- Basil
Laundry Scent
Sometimes, detergent and fabric softeners don’t quite do the job of keeping laundry fresh. One laundry tip we have is adding essential oil to either your fabric softener or your dryer ball. The scent of pure essential oil will keep your laundry fresh for a long time. Just make sure that the scent you choose complements your detergent’s and fabric softener’s scents.
Neutralizing Pet Odor
We love our pets and enjoy having them around the house, but we have to admit that they have very distinct odors. Essential oils can help minimize those. If your vet approves, you could mix lavender or ylang-ylang essential oil with virgin coconut oil and massage your pet with it. Make sure to consult with your vet before trying this to make sure that it is safe for your pet.
If massaging essential oil on your pet is not a viable option, you can opt to add a few drops of essential oil to some water and spray it on their bedding. Similarly, you could use a diffuser to mask the odor in the room where your pet often stays.
Relieve Allergies
Do you or anyone in your family suffer from a stuffy, runny, or itchy nose; sneezing; watery eyes; or a scratchy throat? If so, then you have another reason to use essential oils at home. Different essential oils have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve allergies. Some essential oils work best against allergies when diffused into the air with the help of a diffuser. For skin allergies, on the other hand, it is best to first mix your chosen essential oil with a carrier oil before applying topically.
Lavender | Cooling and anti-inflammatory |
Eucalyptus | Opens up nasal passages |
Oregano | Minimizes cold and allergy symptoms |
Peppermint | Relieves stuffy nose and scratchy sore throat |
Tea Tree Oil | Relieves histamine-induced skin inflammation |
Chamomile Oil | Relieves itching and swelling from eczema; relieves symptoms of sinusitis |
Unleash the Power of Essential Oils
High-grade, pure essential oils are highly potent essences that offer numerous benefits. However, traditional ways of diffusing essential oils use water, heat, and plastic. These processes alter the chemical composition of essential oils and render them less potent and effective. This is why their scent doesn’t seem to spread throughout your house.
The Nebulizing Diffuser by Organic Aromas is a stylish diffuser made with hand-blown Pyrex glass and features a handcrafted hardwood base. Unlike traditional diffusers, the Nebulizing Diffuser makes use of Bernoulli’s Principle, or pressurized air, to diffuse essential oils. Without heat, water, and plastic, the chemical composition of essential oils remains intact, so you get the full fragrance and benefits of essential oils.