Anisha Riggs
Essential oils are a fantastic way to make your home smell wonderful. They can be used in many ways to create a pleasant aroma, from using a diffuser to a simple spray. You can also use essential oils on unfinished wood, such as clothes pegs, or even on terracotta. Another easy method is to mix a few drops of essential oil with baking soda and place the mixture in a bowl. Essential oils can also be used to combat persistent smells, such as those from pets or cooking. They can also be used to fragrance your linen and pillows, helping you sleep better.
Methods for using essential oils for home fragrance
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diffusers | Electric, reed, ultrasonic, or natural diffusers with reeds or clay containers |
| Sprays | Mix essential oil with water or alcohol in a spray bottle |
| Cotton | Cotton balls or clothes pegs absorb the oil |
| Wood | Unfinished wood absorbs the oil |
| Heat | Use a stove or tea light to heat the oil |
| Baking soda | Mix a handful of baking soda with a few drops of oil |
| Terracotta | Rub oil on terracotta to absorb the scent |
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What You'll Learn
Electric diffusers
To use an electric diffuser, first, select an open area in the room, preferably not against a wall or on the floor, but near a power source. Place the diffuser on a solid surface or tabletop and be sure to plug it into a wall or power source. Some diffusers may also use batteries. As there may be some moisture emitted, protect any wooden or precious surfaces with a tray or mat. Make sure the room is well-ventilated to avoid a build-up of vapour, especially if there are children or pets in the house.
Next, fill the diffuser basin with tap or distilled water up to the fill line. Then, add your chosen essential oil or fragrance oil. As a general rule, add around 5-10 drops of oil, depending on how strong you want the aroma to be, but always check the manufacturer's instructions. Place the lid on the diffuser and select your desired settings, such as the colour or timer.
Finally, turn on your diffuser and enjoy the fragrance! Most diffusers have an auto-cut-off feature, and it is recommended to run the diffuser for 15-20 minutes to enjoy the benefits without oversaturating the room. After each use, remember to empty and rinse the water tank and wipe it dry with a clean cloth, especially if you are using citrus oils or switching to a different type of oil.
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Reed diffusers
To make your own reed diffuser, you will need a glass or ceramic vase with a narrow opening, reed diffuser sticks or bamboo skewers, a base oil, and essential oils.
First, prepare your vase by pouring in your base oil. Sweet almond oil, safflower oil, and grapeseed oil are popular choices as they are thin enough to travel up the diffuser reeds. You will need around 1/2 cup of base oil, but you can adjust this depending on the size of your vase.
Next, add your essential oils. You can experiment with different blends to find a scent you love. Try starting with around 30-50 drops of essential oil per 1/2 cup of base oil, and adjust the ratio to suit your preferences. You can also add alcohol or vodka to help bind the oils, or distilled water to dilute the mixture and make it last longer.
Once your mixture is ready, place 5-8 reed diffuser sticks into the vase. After an hour, or when half of the reeds are saturated, flip the reeds over so that the dry ends are in the oil. Continue to flip the reeds about once a week until the scent has diminished. You may also need to replace the oil mixture once a month or as needed.
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Room sprays
Homemade room sprays are a great way to fill your home with your favourite scents. They are also cost-effective, eco-friendly, and customisable. Essential oils are the key ingredient in these sprays, providing natural fragrances with aromatherapy benefits.
To make your own room spray, you will need a glass spray bottle, distilled water, witch hazel, and your choice of essential oils. Glass is preferable to plastic as essential oils can break down the plastic over time. Amber-coloured glass is ideal for maximising shelf life.
The process is simple: fill your bottle about three-quarters full with distilled water. Then, add your chosen essential oils—about 20 to 40 drops should be enough. You can also add a teaspoon of vodka to help the oils and water mix more easily and to make the scent last longer. Finally, top off the bottle with witch hazel, secure the lid, and shake well to combine the ingredients.
There are many essential oils to choose from, each with its unique benefits and fragrance. For a calming effect, try lavender. For an energy boost, use peppermint or citrus scents. You can also experiment with different blends to create a signature scent. Just remember to use pure, undiluted essential oils, and be cautious when handling them as they can be strong.
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Cotton balls
You can use cotton balls with essential oils as a natural alternative to chemical air fresheners. Soak a cotton ball in a few drops of essential oil and place it in the bottom of your trash can or garbage bin. The essential oil will help fight unpleasant odors and make your home smell pleasant. You can also attach a cotton ball soaked in essential oil to a wooden clothespin and clip it to your car's air vents for a natural car freshener.
Essential oils can be used on cotton balls to fragrance your laundry. Add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in your laundry basket or closet to give your clothes a subtle scent. You can also put a cotton ball with essential oil inside your pillowcase for a calming aroma as you sleep. Additionally, some essential oils, like lavender, can be added to wool dryer balls and placed with your clothes in the dryer to impart a refreshing scent.
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Candles
To make your own candles, you will need wax, wicks, essential oils, a heat source, a disposable stirring device, a container, and any old jars you wish to repurpose. Soy wax is a popular choice as it is a renewable and biodegradable resource, but you can also use traditional paraffin wax.
When selecting essential oils, opt for pure, high-quality oils that do not produce toxins when burnt. Popular choices include lavender, grapefruit, eucalyptus, lemongrass, orange, and tea tree. You will need around 80-100 drops of essential oil per pound of wax, but this may vary depending on the oil's potency.
- Melt the wax over low to medium heat in a pot or saucepan.
- Once melted, add your desired amount of essential oils directly into the pot and stir well.
- Secure the wicks to the bottom of your jars using a small amount of wax or glue.
- Tape the wicks upright to a horizontal chopstick or pen, ensuring they are longer than the vertical height of the jar.
- Carefully pour the wax into the jars and let them stand until solid, which usually takes about an hour.
- Trim the wicks to your desired length, being careful not to cut them too short.
- Allow the candles to cool completely before moving them.
Your essential oil candles are now ready to be enjoyed or gifted! You can customise the fragrance by experimenting with different essential oil combinations and choosing jar sizes that suit your preferences and home décor.
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Frequently asked questions
Essential oils are a natural alternative to chemical-based fragrances, with a variety of aromas to choose from. They can help to ease anxiety, lower stress levels and create a calm environment.
Electric diffusers are a popular way to use essential oils. Plug-in diffusers can be connected to a wall outlet or USB port. Alternatively, reed diffusers are a natural option that doesn't require electricity. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to a small jar or glass bottle with reeds and allow the aroma to disperse into the air.
Yes, mix 10-20 drops of essential oil with distilled alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Shake before use and spritz around the room.
Yes, you can use essential oils on unfinished wood around your home. Simply add a few drops to clothes pegs and clip them around the room. You can also sprinkle essential oil on your pillowcase or use a humidifier-type diffuser.
Citrus oils, rosemary, lavender, sandalwood, cedarwood, and chamomile are all popular choices for home fragrance due to their natural deodorizing and sedative properties.
