| Doing the washing can seem like a thankless, never | | | | you can also use essential oils to give fabrics a great |
| ending task. No sooner have you washed, dried, | | | | fragrance. Simply put a couple of drops of essential |
| ironed and folded that mountain of clothes, then | | | | oil on a price of cotton fabric or an old handkerchief, |
| someone has refilled the laundry hamper and it all | | | | and place in the dryer with the clothes. |
| starts over again! | | | | Ironing is for many people one of the most boring |
| Aromatherapy can't make that mountain of washing | | | | parts of doing the laundry! Some people manage to |
| go away (sorry!) but it can make the whole process | | | | avoid it altogether, but if you cannot, why not |
| of dealing with it so much more pleasant. | | | | incorporate aromatherapy? I do not recommend |
| Here are a few tips - | | | | adding essential oils to the water reservoir of your |
| Washing You can add a few drops of essential oil to | | | | iron (although I have seen some books recommend |
| your washing soap or detergent. It is best to choose | | | | it) as essential oils can react with and damage plastic |
| a liquid and one with little or no fragrance to do this. | | | | parts of the iron. However you can add the oils to a |
| Use just a very few drops of essential oil and make | | | | spray bottle of water. Shake well and simply spray |
| sure it is thoroughly mixed in the liquid before adding | | | | the fabric before ironing. |
| to the machine. You can also do the same with your | | | | Storage Essential oils are also great to fragrance and |
| softener, again making sure it is a no or | | | | protect your clothes and other fabrics when storing |
| low-fragranced type. Try lavender for a classic | | | | them. The old lavender sachet (a piece of cloth sewn |
| fragrance, lemon for freshness or eucalyptus for the | | | | or tied into a pouch containing died lavender flowers) |
| cold winter months. | | | | works great. Lavender is good for deterring |
| When hand washing, especially for woolens, I like to | | | | creatures such as moths than would damage your |
| use a pure soap, adding some essential oil. You can | | | | clothes, but it is not the only one. Alternatives are |
| also add a few drops of essential oil to the final rinse | | | | rosemary, clove bud, cedarwood, sandalwood, |
| along with a cup of white vinegar, to help remove | | | | geranium, peppermint or spearmint. |
| the last traces of soap. Eucalyptus essential oil will | | | | Some ways to use these oils are - |
| give that classic "wool wash" aroma, or try lavender | | | | - put some drops of oil on cotton balls and tuck |
| to help deter moths. | | | | these into the corners of drawers or cupboards. |
| Drying Anyone who dries their washing on a line | | | | - put drops on sheets of heavy paper cut to size - |
| outside will know how fresh it makes everything | | | | let dry, then use these to line drawers or shelves |
| smell. I am a great fan of line drying for this reason - | | | | - refresh fabric lavender sachets with a few drops of |
| plus it is much kinder to both the environment and | | | | lavender essential oil. |
| your power bills! But if you do need to use a dryer, | | | | |