Aromatherapy At Home: Using Essential Oils Safely And Effectively

Aromatherapy is a popular way to improve your health and quality of life. Essential oils, which are natural extracts from the leaves, flowers, and stems of plants, can be used to relieve pain, improve respiratory health, heal skin conditions, and promote better sleep. There are many ways to use essential oils at home, such as adding a few drops to a plastic spray bottle of water, using an oil burner, or adding a few drops to a bowl of steaming water and inhaling the steam. You can also add essential oils to cosmetic products, bathwater, or a humidifier. However, it is important to use caution and always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin.

Use an oil burner

Using an oil burner is a traditional way of scenting a room with aroma oils. Oil burners can get very hot, so it's important to place them on a heat-resistant surface. Before lighting your burner, check for possible hazards and move any flammable items away.

• Fill the bowl on the oil burner with water.
• Add a few drops of your chosen aroma oil to the water. You can also use essential oil wax melts as an alternative.
• Place a lit tea light candle underneath the bowl. The heat from the candle will cause the water and oil to mix, evaporate, and fill the room with aroma.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Tea light candles typically last for 3-4 hours. However, it's recommended to only burn aroma oils for 30-60 minutes to avoid the scent becoming too overwhelming.
• Keep an eye on the amount of oil in the bowl. If it evaporates completely while the candle is still lit, it may create a burnt smell and smoke.
• Never leave a lit candle unattended.
• Always allow the oil burner to cool down completely before cleaning it. Use a damp cloth and washing-up liquid to remove grease. For stubborn stains, try a mixture of baking powder and vinegar. Avoid using a metal scourer, as this could damage the burner.

Make your own air freshener

Making your own air freshener is easy, inexpensive, and completely customizable. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils, and you can add baking soda or alcohol to help the mixture disperse through the air. Here are some recipes to get you started:

Essential Oil Room Spray

• Combine 15 drops of your preferred essential oil(s) and 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of vodka in a glass spray bottle.
• Add 2 cups (470 mL) of water, seal the bottle, and shake until all ingredients are combined.
• You can also add 1/2 teaspoon (3g) of baking soda to the mixture to help absorb odors.

Citrus Rose Garden Air Freshener Spray

• Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of water and 1/2 cup (120 mL) of vodka in a spray bottle.
• Add 10 drops each of rose and orange essential oils.
• Mix in 1/2 teaspoon (3g) of baking soda and shake well to combine.

Lavender Fields Air Freshener Spray

• Pour 15 drops of lavender essential oil and 15 drops of chamomile essential oil into a small glass spray bottle.
• Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of real vanilla extract and stir well.
• Top the spray bottle off with distilled water and shake before each use.

Flowery Meadow Air Freshener Spray

• Take a spray bottle and add 8 drops of lavender essential oil, 5 drops of geranium essential oil, and 4 drops of grapefruit essential oil.
• Fill the bottle halfway with distilled or purified water, then top off the remaining space with unscented witch hazel.
• Screw the bottle’s lid on tightly and shake to combine all ingredients.

Fresh-Squeezed Summer Air Freshener Spray

• Pour 4 cups (950 mL) of vodka over the peels of 2-4 oranges, lemons, or grapefruits.
• Cover the container and place it in a cool, dark place for 7-14 days.
• Once the vodka is infused, pour it into a spray bottle until the bottle is halfway full.
• Fill the rest of the spray bottle with distilled water.
• Add 10 drops each of sweet orange, lemon, and grapefruit essential oils.

Create a carpet cleaner

Creating a carpet cleaner with aroma oils is a simple and effective way to clean and freshen your carpets. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a natural, aromatic carpet cleaner at home:

Ingredients:

• Baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda)
• Aroma/fragrance/essential oils of your choice (popular options include lavender, lemon, orange, rosemary, and peppermint)
• A container/bowl
• A spoon or other mixing utensil
• A vacuum cleaner

Method:

• Take a new container/bowl of baking soda. The amount of baking soda will depend on the size of your carpet, but a standard 1 lb (approximately 450g) container should be sufficient for a medium-sized room.
• Add a few drops of your chosen fragrance oil(s) to the baking soda. You can use a single fragrance or create your own blend by combining different oils. For a stronger scent, add more drops of oil.
• Mix the oil(s) into the baking soda thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution.
• Allow the mixture to sit for 24 hours. This step is important, as it gives the baking soda time to absorb the fragrance oils fully.
• After 24 hours, your carpet cleaner is ready to use! Simply shake or sprinkle the mixture lightly and evenly across the entire surface of your carpet.
• Let the mixture sit in the carpet fibres for 30-60 minutes. During this time, the baking soda will help to absorb any dirt, stains, and odours, while the fragrance oils will leave your carpet smelling fresh and pleasant.
• Finally, vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove the cleaner, along with any dirt and debris.

Tips and Tricks:

• Always patch test a small area of your carpet before applying the cleaner to the entire surface, especially if your carpet is made of delicate fibres. This will ensure that the cleaner does not discolour or damage your carpet.
• If you are unsure about using fragrance oils on your carpet, you can substitute corn starch for baking soda. Corn starch is a gentle alternative that will still effectively absorb and remove dirt and stains.
• For particularly tough stains, you can pre-treat the area by sprinkling salt on the stain and allowing it to absorb the liquid. Vacuum the salt after 10-15 minutes, and then proceed with your carpet cleaner as usual.
• For added cleaning power, you can combine the baking soda and fragrance oil mixture with vinegar and water. Combine equal parts vinegar and water in a large bowl or spray bottle, and then add the baking soda and fragrance oil mixture. Shake or stir well to combine. This solution can be sprayed or poured directly onto your carpet before vacuuming.

Creating a natural, aromatic carpet cleaner is a simple and cost-effective way to keep your carpets looking and smelling fresh. Enjoy experimenting with different fragrance oils to find your favourite scent combinations!

Scent your stationery

Scenting your stationery with aroma oils is a great way to add a personal touch to your letters or notes. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve this:

Firstly, gather your desired aroma oil and a few paper towels. The type of aroma oil you choose is entirely up to your preference, whether it's a relaxing lavender scent or an uplifting citrus fragrance.

Take your bottle of aroma oil and carefully pour a few drops onto a paper towel. You don't need too much oil, as a little goes a long way. Fold the paper towel so that the oil is contained within, and then place it into a plastic bag.

The next step is to select the stationery you wish to scent. This could be a set of envelopes, writing paper, or even a box of stationery. Place your chosen items into the plastic bag, ensuring they are enclosed with the paper towel. Seal the bag tightly.

Leave the stationery in the bag for a period of time, allowing the fragrance oil to permeate the paper. The longer you leave the stationery in the bag, the stronger the scent will become. However, be cautious not to leave it for too long, as the oil may cause discolouration or affect the quality of the paper.

After removing the stationery from the bag, it will now carry a pleasant aroma. You can use this scented stationery for writing letters, creating personalised cards, or simply enjoying the fragrance as you jot down notes.

This method of scenting stationery is a simple and effective way to add a unique touch to your correspondence. It can be a fun project and also makes a thoughtful gift idea for friends or family. Experiment with different aroma oils to find your favourite scents and create beautifully fragranced stationery.

Make dryer sheets

Making your own dryer sheets at home is an easy way to save money and reduce the number of chemicals in your home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own scented dryer sheets:

Ingredients and Materials:

• Absorbent fabric (e.g. washcloth, towel, old t-shirts, or cloth napkins)
• Scissors
• Essential oils (e.g. lavender, lemon, wild orange, pine)
• White vinegar
• Airtight container (e.g. mason jar)

Instructions:

• Cut your chosen fabric into squares, roughly 4 to 6 inches in size. The size can vary, but you want something large enough to hold a few drops of essential oil without getting lost in the laundry.
• Prepare your chosen essential oil(s) and vinegar mixture. In a separate bowl or jar, combine 1 cup of white vinegar with 20 to 25 (or more) drops of essential oil. You can adjust the amount of oil to your preference. Shake or stir the mixture until well combined.
• Take your fabric squares and fold them neatly. Place them into your chosen airtight container.
• Pour the vinegar and essential oil mixture into the container. Ensure the fabric is coated but not completely submerged. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid depending on the number of fabric squares.
• Allow the fabric to absorb the mixture. You can store the prepared dryer sheets in the airtight container until ready to use.
• When using, take out one or two squares and add them to your dryer along with your laundry. The vinegar smell will dissipate during the drying process, leaving your clothes scented with the essential oil.

Tips:

• You can reuse the dryer sheets by placing the used sheets back into the container after each use. Refresh the scent as needed.
• Experiment with different essential oils to find your favourite scent combinations.
• If you prefer unscented dryer sheets, simply omit the essential oil from the recipe.

Frequently asked questions