Essential oils are natural ingredients derived from plants. Linked to aromatherapy, they arouse parts of your limbic system – your feelings, actions, and memory capacity. However, according to aromatherapy, the many benefits of essential oil products do not stop at simply inhaling them. There are many other interesting ways to use them. For instance, they can be a part of your laundry routine to add a boost to the smell of your laundry. Read on to find out more!
Fresher Clothes
Essential oils can play a part in helping your laundry to smell fresher and cleaner. One benefit of using essential oil products is that you are not at risk from getting any skin issues that the commercial detergents may cause. Furthermore, it helps to get rid of any lingering foul smell from dirty clothing. To use them, you can add a few drops of the essential oil into the washing machine itself or place it in the same compartment as the detergent. Some recommended essential oils for cleaner clothes are rose, lavender, bergamot, peppermint, and lemon.
Disinfect Laundry
You may be surprised, but washing machines are not entirely free from germs and bacteria. They are not entirely clean. Commercial detergents are not able to seep completely into the clothing to get rid of all the germs in it as well. Thankfully, essential oils can solve this problem. It works effectively as a laundry disinfectant as it contains antibacterial agents. Hence, using essential oils will help to prevent any illnesses and speed up the rate of recovery. Try adding a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil with a detergent that has no scent. The antifungal and antibacterial functions will help to get rid of all the germs and leave you with fresher clothes.
Natural Fabric Softener
Natural handmade fabric softeners will help to balance the pH in the washing machine leaving you with softer clothes. Try mixing 3-4 drops of essential oil into the water and add it into the same compartment of the washing machine as the softener. You can also use sea salt and essential oils to form fabric softener crystals. These will give you clothes that have a more natural and lasting fragrance.
Tips for using Essential Oils in Washing Machine
Do take note of the following tips before adding the essential oils into the washing machine:
- Use cold water instead of hot water as it limits the effectiveness of the essential oils.
- Only add the essential oils in the later stage of the washing cycle so that it lasts longer.
- Air-dry the clothes after washing, as heat will cause the essential oils to break down.
Essential oils bring about a range of benefits starting from aromatherapy. Other than using it in a diffuser to create a more soothing environment, they can also enhance the condition of your clothes. Having fresher and cleaner clothes will also benefit your health in various ways.