What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated extracts that contains the essence, or chemical compounds of the plant from which they are sourced. Manufacturers use various methods to extract the plant’s essential oils, including a steam distillation process. Other extraction methods include solvent extraction or cold pressing. Some botanicals are better suited to one method or another.
After extracting the essential oils, manufacturers can add these concentrated liquids to a wide variety of products, such as candles, soaps, cosmetics, cleaning products, perfumes, or even food and drinks. Essential oils are completely natural, of course, but many commercial products may also contain synthetic scents and perfumes, so if you’re looking for naturally scented products, check the ingredients list to make sure “fragrance,” “perfume,” or “parfum” aren’t listed.
Essential Oils for Cleaning
Essential oils are highly effective for household cleaning jobs, thanks to their antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. Typically, you’ll add the essential oils to water or a combination of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. As essential oils are lipophilic (they dissolve in fat / oil), they won’t dissolve in the water so it’s important to shake before use.
- Lemon oil cuts through grease and grime, and it’s a powerful deodorizer. It’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic.
- Tea tree oil has strong antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, and insecticidal properties and may be used to make an all-purpose cleaner to spray down countertops, the bathtub and sink, and the floors.
- Lavender oil repels ants, spiders, and cockroaches and has antiseptic properties. It also has disinfecting properties.
Streak Free Glass Cleaner
Ingredients:
500ml spray bottle
375ml of purified water
125ml white vinegar
5 drops of JOI Pure Peppermint Essential Oil
10 drops of JOI Pure Lemon Essential Oil
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake and spray.
First Aid with Essential Oils
Many essential oils have properties that promote healing. As essential oils are highly concentrated they need to be diluted in a carrier oil for topical use. However one drop direct to skin is fine.
These essential oils are first-aid kit essentials:
- Tea tree oil is commonly used topically to treat insect bites, athlete’s foot and even acne.
- Eucalyptus may be inhaled directly or in a steamer to relieve congestion and coughs. It can help repel mosquito bites, and it can be applied topically for pain relief.
- Peppermint oil may help relieve headaches, and nausea.
- Myrrh oil diluted in jojoba, olive, or sunflower oil can help heal dry, cracked skin.
Make a Beautifully Scented Linen Spray
Rather than using a synthetic spray to freshen bed sheets, upholstery and other fabrics, you can create your own fresh-scented linen spray. Add up to 20 drops of your preferred oil like lavender, orange or petitgrain to your water-filled spray bottle. Use it to spray your sheets, pillows, curtains, rugs, and other textiles to lend an inviting scent to your space.
Freshen and clean your home and create a relaxing environment with essential oils. Whether you want to enhance your next yoga session or create an inviting scent for company, you can use essential oils to safely and naturally add ambiance to your setting. Choose the scents you love best, and discover why so many people turn to pure essential oils for use around their homes.
Read more on this topic, in the following article by Isabella Caprario https://porch.com/advice/using-essential-oils-enhance-home
