| There's nothing more gratifying than entering a clean, | | | | These are the best to use for cleaning. Not only will |
| fresh, and pleasant smelling home - especially after a | | | | they out-perform their chemical and synthetic |
| long and arduous day, or after being away for any | | | | counterparts but in the long run, they will also be |
| length of time. Having a clean smelling home not only | | | | safer and more pleasant for you, and everyone in |
| makes you and your family or roommates feel good, | | | | your home. |
| it makes your visitors and guests feel welcome and | | | | Essential oils that have these properties include |
| at ease. | | | | Lemon, Eucalyptus, Pine, Clove, Juniper, Rosemary, |
| The trick to having a consistently sweet smelling | | | | Thyme, Oregano and Tea Tree. Many of these oils |
| home, especially if there are pets or smokers who | | | | have the added benefit of acting as insect repellents, |
| live there, is to use a number of different essential | | | | keeping your home free of unwanted pests. |
| oils as part of your ongoing care and maintenance. | | | | Citrus essential oils leave a clean, fresh scent that is |
| This includes using them to clean everything from | | | | not as overpowering as some of the oils extracted |
| surfaces, floors, and windows, to washing and drying | | | | from herbs, and are also useful for cutting through |
| your laundry, cleaning and deodorizing your carpets, | | | | grease. Combine 15 to 20 drops of your favorites |
| drapes, or window covers, to neutralizing cooking | | | | with 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1.5 cups of |
| odors and disinfecting kitchen appliances and counter | | | | water for a general purpose cleaner you can use on |
| tops. | | | | counters, floors, cabinets and even windows. For |
| The essential oils you choose for these various tasks | | | | small areas, apply 2-3 drops of an individual EO or EO |
| can be the same or different and can vary depending | | | | blend directly to a damp cloth. When using citrus oils, |
| on the season or even the time of day. Whichever | | | | be careful not to apply them directly to appliances as |
| ones you choose most often, collectively make up | | | | they can damage plastic surfaces. |
| your distinct "aroma style." | | | | The kitchen is also an ideal spot for a nebulizing |
| Here are 5 ways to use essential oils to transform | | | | diffuser - one that can diffuse oils that effectively kill |
| your home, and create your own aroma style:. | | | | odor-causing airborne bacteria and quickly neutralize |
| 1. Diffusing Essential Oils (EOs) | | | | the heavy odors that linger after cooking - especially |
| Diffusing essential oils is one of the healthiest and | | | | when you sauté or fry. |
| most efficient ways to fragrance a room or space, | | | | 3. Essential Oils for Deodorizing Carpets & Drapes |
| and depending on the type of diffuser you use, it | | | | An easy way to deodorize rugs and carpets is to |
| can be the most effective, non-toxic way to | | | | make your own carpet powder by combining baking |
| eliminate odors and airborne bacteria too. | | | | soda with a couple of drops of essential oil (the |
| But even without a diffuser, there are other ways to | | | | proper ratio is 16-20 drops of EO per cup of |
| achieve a similar effect. For example, you can use a | | | | powder). Sprinkle liberally and let it sit for about 10 |
| humidifier as a diffuser simply by adding a few drops | | | | minutes then use a vacuum to clean it up. For drapes |
| of EOs into it before using it. You can pour boiling | | | | you can use the aromatherapy mister technique. Or |
| water into an oven-safe glass bowl and add a few | | | | you can add a cotton ball or small cloth saturated |
| drops of EO to it, allowing its aroma to rise with the | | | | with essential oils to the collection bag of your |
| steam and fill the air, until the water temperature | | | | vacuum cleaner. This will diffuse a pleasant scent |
| cools off. | | | | while you clean! |
| You can also saturate a cotton ball or small cloth with | | | | 4. Using Essential Oils in the Laundry |
| EOs and stash it behind a radiator. You can even add | | | | The laundry is one of the simplest ways you can use |
| a couple of drops of an EO to the logs in your | | | | essential oils to freshen up the smell of your clothes, |
| fireplace to release scent into the room when you | | | | towels and linens. Just add 5-10 drops to your laundry |
| light a fire. Some good oils to try there are | | | | detergent or directly to the water for a light scent. |
| Cedarwood, Pine, Cypress or Fir, and remember to | | | | To disinfect the laundry use up to 25 drops of |
| use only a drop or two per log. | | | | Eucalyptus (which has been shown to kill dust mites) |
| The easiest and least expensive way to use EOs in | | | | or a general purpose, disinfecting blend (see recipe |
| the home, is to create your own aromatherapy | | | | below). |
| misters. Add 8-10 drops of an EO or blend for every | | | | When you're ready to use the dryer, simply apply 5-7 |
| 2.5 cups (or 20 ounces) of water and place in a plant | | | | drops of an essential oil or blend to a small washcloth, |
| sprayer bottle. Shake thoroughly and use it to spray | | | | and toss it in with your load. You can also make your |
| the air, your furniture and furnishings, even the walls, | | | | own laundry sachets with large sized press' n 'brew |
| on a regular basis to keep them smelling clean and | | | | tea bags. Fill them with the herb or herbs of your |
| fresh. | | | | choice. I usually recommend lavender buds or |
| Diffuse essential oils of Lemon, Lavender, or | | | | chamomile flowers. Add a couple of drops of a similar |
| Geranium in bedrooms and hallways to brighten them | | | | or complementary essential oil and throw it in the |
| up. Hallways are often neglected spaces where odors | | | | dryer with your laundry. You can also use these |
| can collect and linger, and benefit most from light | | | | sachets in your drawers to keep lingerie, socks, and |
| pleasing scents, rather than the heavier herbal and | | | | linens smelling fresh. Use a blend that includes |
| spice scents more commonly associated with the | | | | Chamomile, Lavender, Marjoram, Neroli or Petitgrain |
| kitchen or dining areas. | | | | on sheets and bedding for a scent that promotes |
| 2. Essential Oils for Cleaning Surfaces | | | | restful sleep. |
| All essential oils are anti-bacterial to some extent but | | | | 5. |
| some also have antiviral and antifungal properties. | | | | |