Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy, natural medicine and as ingredients in cosmetics. Their health-promoting properties are increasingly appreciated even by those who place less emphasis on ecology and living in harmony with nature. In addition to the fact that oils smell beautiful, cure many ailments and improve beauty, they are also indispensable for complex household cleaning.
Essential oils – more valuable than gold
Essential oils have been used for almost 6,000 years. The ancient Romans, Egyptians and Arabs used scents from flowers and ethereal plants to purify the air, washing wounds, skin care and embalming corpses. Essential oils were believed to be more valuable than gold.
Nowadays, essential oils are most often used to improve mood because they have a calming or energizing effect. Their main properties include relieving stress, facilitating falling asleep, acting against headaches and rheumatic pains. In addition, they strengthen immunity and also help in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. They are successfully used in cosmetics.
Using essential oils in the home
In addition to medicinal and caring properties, essential oils also have other uses. Few people know that they can be used to clean the house and help with problems that the preparations we buy in stores cannot deal with. What should you use essential oils for in the home?
For disinfection (lavender oil)
Lavender smells beautiful and looks great, but the list of its benefits does not end there. The essential oil obtained from it is characterized by a strong antibacterial effect. For this reason, it is worth using as a natural disinfectant. Add 10 drops of essence to a spray bottle filled with water and shake vigorously to mix the ingredients. Use this spray to disinfect items most likely to harbor bacteria – children’s toys, cutting boards, cosmetic sponges and dishwashing sponges.
For oily stains (lemon oil)
There’s a reason dishwashing detergents usually have citrus scents. Such scents are usually responsible for giving consumers a “feeling of freshness and cleanliness” when washing dishes. However, few people know that if they are natural, i.e. obtained from the right essential oil, they also have a degreasing effect. Unfortunately, in store-bought liquids, this property is lost among other strong chemical compounds. Lemon oil is one of the most effective remedies for oily stains and sticky spots. And it cleans perfectly on its own, without the addition of cleaning agents – store-bought products, whose formulas sometimes stretch to infinity, cannot match it. Not to mention that the oil does not irritate the skin of the hands. Mix a glass of water with a glass of vinegar and add 15 drops of oil. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake. Use to clean dishes and surfaces with greasy residue.
On moths, ants, cockroaches (peppermint oil)
Pests in the home are a common problem. If not ants in spring, then fruit flies in summer. Then there are mosquitoes and moths, both food and clothing. When you see insects inhabiting your home, don’t panic. Instead of reaching for the heavy artillery of chemical pesticides, use natural but extremely effective peppermint oil. Fill a spray bottle with water and then add 15 drops of peppermint oil. Shake well. Spray the resulting decoction on places where insects appear.
Against mold in the bathroom (tea tree oil)
Tea tree oil should be in every bathroom. Not only does it work well as a shampoo additive if you struggle with excessively oily hair, but also as an agent against mold growing on silicone around the bath or shower rinse. Add 10 drops of oil to a bowl of soap and water. Rinse the moldy area with this solution. Apply the treatment for 5 days. The oil can also be used preventively, as it kills fungi in their initial stages. Just add the oil to the water during each cleaning.
Cleaning brushes and combs (eucalyptus oil)
Hair brushes and combs are probably the most used. But also the most neglected cosmetic aids. And at the same time, thanks to them, the hair looks beautiful. They detangle unruly strands and at the same time capture dirt, dust, sebum and cosmetic residues. In such an environment, bacteria multiply at an exponential rate. Using dirty brushes is one of the most common causes of folliculitis. You can clean hair tools very easily with oil. Immerse the brushes and combs in the resulting solution and soak them for about half an hour. After this time, take them out and dry them. Repeat the procedure at least once a month.
Gum Removal (Orange Oil)
Chewing gum stuck to the carpet or clothes is not the end of the world. Although it is often difficult to get rid of it from the place where it has stuck, there is a simple and easy way. Dip a cotton swab in orange oil and rub it on the problem area – this will make the gum “stick”. – Then remove it with a paper towel. Repeat this process until all sticky residue is removed.
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