Eliminating Lingering Stinky Essential Oil Scents: A Quick Guide

Essential oils are great for infusing your space with natural fragrances, but sometimes accidents happen, and you might be left with a less-than-pleasant aroma lingering in your home. Whether it's from a spill or overuse, strong essential oil scents can be overpowering and even cause adverse health effects. So, what's the best way to get rid of that stinky essential oil aroma?

First things first: open those windows and get some fresh air circulating. Use fans to ventilate the space and help dilute the scent. For more persistent odors, it's time to bring in the big guns: natural odor absorbers like baking soda, coffee grounds, and activated charcoal. Bowls filled with these odor-fighting powerhouses can work wonders in neutralizing smells.

If you're dealing with a spill, there are a few tricks up your sleeve. For small spills on surfaces, saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wipe down the area. The alcohol will help with cleanup and evaporate quickly, taking the odor along with it. For larger spills or to tackle odors in your car, a mixture of water and vinegar is your friend. Clean any affected surfaces and sprinkle baking soda on carpets and upholstery to absorb lingering smells.

When it comes to removing essential oil stains and smells from fabrics, you've got a few options. Pretreat the fabric with absorbents like talcum powder, salt, or flour to lift the oils, or go in with a few drops of dishwashing liquid or detergent to target those stains. Soaking the fabric in white or distilled vinegar can also help break down the oils, making them easier to remove.

With these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to getting rid of that stinky essential oil aroma and restoring a fresh and pleasant fragrance to your space.

Ventilate the room

Ventilating a room is a great way to improve the airflow and comfort of your space. Here are some detailed tips to help you ventilate a room effectively:

Open Windows and Exterior Doors

If possible, open as many windows and exterior doors as you can. This will allow fresh air to circulate throughout the room and dispel any unwanted aromas. Cross-ventilation, which involves opening windows on opposite sides of the room, can be particularly effective in promoting airflow.

Use Fans

Box fans are excellent tools for ventilating a room. Place one fan facing outwards to push stale air out of the room and another fan facing inwards to pull fresh air into the room. This "push-pull" strategy creates a flow of air that will help dissipate unpleasant odours. If you have multiple windows in the room, using fans in combination with open windows can be even more effective.

Additionally, consider using ceiling fans or standing fans to improve air circulation within the room. Just be mindful of the speed and direction of the fans to avoid creating strong air currents that could be uncomfortable for occupants.

Install a Whole-House Ventilation System

Whole-house ventilation systems are designed to maintain consistent and healthy airflow throughout your home. These systems typically involve ductwork that runs through the ceiling, walls, or separate rooms. They can be installed during new construction or retrofitted to existing homes. While they may be expensive, they offer a long-term solution to airflow issues and consume less energy than air conditioning systems.

Utilise HVAC Systems

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are another effective way to ventilate a room. These integrated systems supply fresh air while expelling stale indoor air, helping to regulate temperature, pressure, and humidity levels. Ductless mini-split systems are a popular choice as they improve ventilation and comfort without the need for ductwork. However, they can be costly, with single units often exceeding $1000.

Dehumidify the Room

High humidity levels can contribute to a stagnant and uncomfortable environment. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce excess moisture in the air, making the room feel fresher and more pleasant. Dehumidifiers are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at most hardware stores.

By following these tips, you can effectively ventilate a room to eliminate unpleasant essential oil aromas. Remember to be mindful of the specific conditions of your space and adjust your ventilation strategies accordingly.

Use natural and commercial odour neutralisers

There are several natural and commercial odour neutralisers that can be used to get rid of stinky essential oil aromas.

Natural odour neutralisers

Essential oils can be used to neutralise odours rather than simply masking them. Many essential oils have antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that kill bacteria and prevent their growth, thereby removing odours.

• Cinnamon essential oil: A potent antibacterial and antimicrobial oil that inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria.
• Citronella essential oil: Antibacterial and antifungal, this oil inhibits odour-causing bacteria and fights mould and mildew growth.
• Eucalyptus essential oil: The antiseptic and deodorant nature of eucalyptus oil makes it perfect for room freshening. It is antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, helping to keep your home clean and sterilised.
• Fir essential oil: A powerful germicide that quickly removes odours. It contains limonene, which is also found in lemon and lime essential oils, making them effective deodorisers.
• Lavender essential oil: Besides its relaxing scent, lavender essential oil is also antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, helping to remove a wide range of unwanted odours. It also blends well with citrus, herb, or woody essential oils to create powerful odour-fighting combinations.
• Lemon essential oil: Lemon oil has a high limonene content, which helps pull odours from the air and neutralise them, leaving a fresh and clean scent.
• Lemongrass essential oil: Lemongrass essential oil is antifungal and antibacterial, making it effective against mould, mildew, and bacteria-based odours such as rotten food.
• Lime essential oil: Eliminates odours from strong household smells like shoes, lingering cigarette smoke, and trash cans. It can also be used to neutralise stale, musty odours.
• Rosemary essential oil: Rosemary essential oil is antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, making it an effective natural odour neutraliser.
• Tangerine essential oil: With a fresh, clean scent, tangerine essential oil's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties eliminate unpleasant kitchen and household smells.
• Tea tree essential oil: Tea tree oil is antifungal and antibacterial, making it excellent for removing musty, stale odours. It is particularly effective against super-smelly stenches like decaying food, stinky shoes, and dirty trash cans.

Commercial odour neutralisers

Some commercially produced odour-eliminating products use essential oils in their formulations. Here are some examples:

• Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel: This product uses lime essential oil to eliminate odours and leave your home smelling fabulous.
• DoTERRA Petal Essential Oil Diffuser: This diffuser uses essential oils like Wild Orange and Lavender to fill your home with pleasant aromas while eliminating unwanted odours.
• DoTERRA LaLuz Essential Oil Diffuser: This diffuser combines essential oils like Wild Orange and Peppermint to keep your home smelling fresh for hours.

Combining natural and commercial odour neutralisers

You can also combine essential oils with other natural ingredients to create powerful odour neutralisers. Here are some examples:

• Baking soda and essential oils: Mix baking soda with essential oils like lemon, tea tree, or lavender to create a deodorising powder for carpets, refrigerators, or trash cans.
• Vinegar and essential oils: Combine vinegar with essential oils to remove musty smells from clothes.
• Cornstarch or arrowroot powder with essential oils: Mix cornstarch or arrowroot powder with essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, and thyme to create a deodorising powder for stinky shoes.

Clean with vinegar

Vinegar is a potent and versatile cleaning agent that can effectively eliminate persistent odours. Its acidic properties are particularly useful in breaking down and neutralising stubborn smells, including those from essential oils. Here are some ways to use vinegar to get rid of stinky essential oil aromas:

Vinegar Spritz

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz the affected areas. The vinegar will help break down the odour-causing compounds, leaving the space smelling fresh and clean. This method is especially useful for removing essential oil odours from rooms and fabrics.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

For more challenging odours, such as those from essential oil spills, combine vinegar with baking soda. Create a paste by mixing baking soda and water, then gently scrub it onto the affected area using a soft brush, cloth, or old toothbrush. Leave the paste on for a few minutes to penetrate the surface before rinsing it off. Repeat this process as needed until the odour diminishes. This method is suitable for various surfaces, including furniture and glass containers.

Vinegar and Laundry

To remove essential oil odours from clothing, pre-treat the affected area with a mixture of baking soda and water to absorb the oil. Then, wash the garment using the hottest water safe for the fabric along with your regular detergent. Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help neutralise the smell further. Air-drying the clothes outside in the sunlight can also help eliminate any residual odours.

Vinegar-Based Cleaners

For essential oil odours in hard-to-reach places, such as washing machines and dishwashers, use vinegar-based cleaning solutions. Mix vinegar with equal parts water and pour the solution into the affected areas, such as the machine's tub or pipes. The vinegar will help break down any built-up residue and eliminate odours.

Scented Vinegar

If you find the smell of vinegar unpleasant, you can mask it by infusing white vinegar with essential oils or citrus peels and herbs. For essential oils, add about 20 drops of your preferred oils to a clean spray bottle, then fill it with vinegar and shake well. For citrus peels and herbs, fill a mason jar with peels and herbs, then pour vinegar over them and let it infuse for 4-5 days before straining. These methods will heavily mask the vinegar scent while boosting its cleaning power.

Use charcoal for air purification

Activated charcoal is a highly porous material that has been used for centuries to remove toxins and odours. It can be used for air purification, skincare and beyond.

To use activated charcoal for air purification, you can place charcoal bags or pouches in strategic locations throughout your home. Choose pellets over fine-ground granules, and buy in bulk online or in the aquarium section of your local pet store.

You can also create a sachet with a whole piece of activated charcoal. Simply seal the charcoal in a mesh or breathable cotton bag. Place the sachet in your drawers or closet to combat musty odours.

Additionally, products made with fibres infused with activated charcoal possess natural microbial and anti-odour properties. These include towels, dishcloths, and bathmats, which are known to breed bacteria.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a versatile and effective natural deodorizer that can help eliminate stinky essential oil aromas from various surfaces and fabrics. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use baking soda to get rid of stubborn smells:

For Carpets and Rooms:

• Sprinkle baking soda liberally on carpets, especially in areas with strong odours. Leave it for a day, and then vacuum thoroughly to remove the baking soda and the absorbed odours.
• Place bowls of baking soda in rooms to absorb and neutralise various household odours. Refresh the baking soda as needed.

For Clothing and Fabric:

• Create a mixture of baking soda and water, and apply it to the affected areas of the fabric.
• For essential oil stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, and gently scrub it onto the stain with a soft brush or cloth. Leave it for a few minutes, and then rinse. Repeat as needed.
• For washing machines, add a cup of baking soda to the washer drum during the second cycle to eliminate musty smells.

For Plastic Containers and Kitchenware:

• Make a solution of baking soda, water, and dish soap. Soak plastic items in this solution to neutralise persistent odours.
• For silicone kitchenware, wash with mild dish soap and heat at 250°F (120°C) to remove trapped essential oil aromas.
• For glass containers, rinse with warm water, scrub with mild dish soap, and then make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste inside the container and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

For Garbage Disposals and Drains:

• Pour baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. The chemical reaction will help break up residue and scum, while also deodorising.
• For garbage disposals, sprinkle baking soda inside, scrub with a sponge, and then pour vinegar over the surface.

For Toilets:

Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a toilet brush.

For Stoves and Sinks:

Sprinkle baking soda on the stove or inside the sink. For stainless steel sinks, scrub with a sponge and then pour vinegar over the surface. For porcelain sinks, use hydrogen peroxide instead of vinegar.

Baking soda is a natural, eco-friendly, and chemical-free way to eliminate unwanted smells and neutralise odours. By following these steps and adapting them to your specific needs, you can effectively get rid of stinky essential oil aromas and enjoy a fresh and pleasant-scented environment.

Frequently asked questions