Household Hints Using Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Lyn Belisle, prepared for the Hints from Heloise Radio Program

 

Note: Essential Oils are more than just fragrance. Because they come from plants, they share the same characteristics and can be antiseptic, uplifting, relaxing, germicidal, and many other things. Here are some hints for using them around the house:

 

  • Put a few drops of essential oil of lavender on dryer sheets before drying your laundry to give it a fresh, light outdoor smell.

  • Take those used dryer sheets, put a drop of essential oil of peppermint on them, and tuck them into track shoes or work boots to keep them odor-free.

  • Keep a dropper bottle of essential oil of eucalyptus by your shower – add a drop when you turn on the spray – it will smell like a spa and help keep germs away.

  • When you visit a friend in the hospital, mix a 2-ounce spray bottle with distilled water to which you’ve added 10 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oil to mist lightly on the linens – the lavender helps promote relaxation and the lemon is uplifting and cheering.

  • Use essential oil of cedar to refresh cedar chests or closets – put a few drops on an old washcloth, wipe the wood gently, then fold the cloth and tuck it in a corner of the chest or closet.

  • Essential oil of cedar is a good freshener for pet beds – put a drop or two on the underside of the pillow.

  • Keep a small bottle of essential oil of lemon by the kitchen sink and put a drop on your sponge or dishcloth to wipe the sink after the final rinsing.

  • Take a cup of Epsom Salts, add 30 drops of essential oil of rosemary or lavender, pour into a brown paper lunch sack and fold the top down and around to make a neat packet – store these between towels in the linen closet to give them a wonderful aroma, and when you want to, add half the salts to your bath for a soothing soak.

 

Gardener's Green Bath Salts - pretty as a hand scrub and relaxing in a bath after a day in the garden

Lyn Belisle

 

Ingredients:

(Mix the following salts in a Ziploc bag:

  • 2 cups Epson Salts

  • 1 cup Sea Salt

Measure out one cup of salt mixture in a smaller Ziplog bag and add:

  • 10 drops essential oil of eucalyptus

  • 2 drops green food coloring

Blend by shaking bag, and set aside.

 

Measure out one cup of salt in another bag and add:

  • 10 drops of essential oil of peppermint

  • 6 drops of green food coloring

Measure out the remaining cup and add:

  • 10 drops of essential oil of rosemary

  • (Add either no coloring for white or ten drops for deep green.)

Using a funnel or paper twist, layer each blend into a glass bottle and attach a card describing the properties of the herbs and oils.

  • Rosemary = mental awareness and memory

  • Mint = refreshing and cooling to the body

  • Eucalyptus = clears up respiratory problems and helps achy muscles

 

To use:

Add half a cup to the bath - soak and relax. Can also be used the same way as a foot bath after a long day in the garden.

Top of Page

Home