Guide: essential oils for laundry
Essential oils are concentrated plant-based oils that are known for their natural scent and therapeutic properties. These oils can be beneficial not only for our health and wellbeing, but also for cleaning our homes and clothes.
When it comes to washing clothes, essential oils can be a great addition to your laundry routine. Not only can they give your clothes a nice and natural scent, but they can also help fight bacteria, reduce odours and soften clothes naturally.
Another benefit of using essential oils for laundry is that they are a more natural alternative to the chemicals often found in commercial laundry products. This can be beneficial for people with sensitive skin or allergies, as it can reduce the risk of irritation or other negative reactions.
In this guide, we'll take a look at some of the best essential oils for washing clothes, their specific benefits and how you can use them in your laundry routine.
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How to use essential oils for laundry
There are several different ways you can use essential oils for washing clothes. One of the easiest methods is to add a few drops of oil to the last rinse water. You can also drip a few drops of oil directly onto a stain or add a few drops of oil to your washing machine with your washing powder.
It's important to remember that essential oils are concentrated, so you shouldn't use too much at a time. We usually recommend using 2-10 drops of essential oil per wash, depending on your personal preference and the size of your wash.
Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil and lavender oil, are also known for their cleansing properties, so they can be particularly effective for washing sportswear and bed linen.
Always remember to follow the washing instructions on your clothes and avoid using essential oils on delicate fabrics or clothes that require special care.
The best oils to use for laundry purposes
When it comes to washing clothes, essential oils can be a natural and effective way to improve the results. They're also a great alternative to additives that contain chemicals and can irritate the skin.
Some of the best essential oils for washing clothes include:
- Lavender oil: Known for its calming and relaxing properties, this oil can help give your clothes a pleasant and natural scent.
- Eucalyptus oil: Eucalyptus oil has a fresh and clean scent and can help remove bacteria and odours from your clothes.
- Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil has a fresh and cooling scent and can help remove stains and improve the scent of your clothes.
- Lemon oil: Lemon oil has a fresh and citrusy scent and can help remove odours and give clothes a fresh scent.
- Tea tree oil: Known for its cleansing properties, tea tree oil can help remove bacteria and dirt from clothes.
- Rose geranium oil: Rose geranium oil has a sweet and floral scent and can help improve the scent and soften clothes.
- Lemon Myrtle Oil: Known for its cleansing and purifying properties, Lemon Myrtle Oil can help give your clothes a fresh and clean scent.
So if you want to add a natural and pleasant scent to your clothes, essential oils are a great choice. Try experimenting with different oils and combinations to find the best scent for your clothes.
Use of essential oils in a washing machine
Have you ever thought about using essential oils in your washing machine to give your clothes a nice scent and benefit from their cleansing properties? It's a simple and natural way to freshen up your clothes and make them more comfortable to wear.
To use essential oils in your washing machine, you can add a few drops of your favourite oil to your washing powder or use a detergent that already contains essential oils. Remember to follow the dosage instructions on the product and don't overdo the amount of oil as it can have a negative effect on the functioning of the washing machine.
To maximise the effect of essential oils in your washing machine, you can also consider adding a few drops of oil to the last rinse water. This way, the scent and cleansing properties of the oil will be left on the clothes for a fresh and pleasant scent.
Safety precautions when using essential oils in the washing machine
It's important to take some safety precautions when using essential oils in your washing machine. Firstly, you should always follow the instructions on the oil's packaging when adding it to your washing machine.
Some essential oils can be irritating to the skin and can cause allergic reactions, so it's important to avoid direct contact with the skin when handling the oil. It is recommended to wear gloves when working with essential oils.
Some essential oils should also be avoided in the washing machine due to their properties or their effect on fabrics. For example, citrus oils such as lemon or orange oil can cause discolouration of fabrics if exposed to sunlight.
It's also important to remember that a small amount of essential oil can go a long way when it comes to giving clothes a pleasant scent. Therefore, only use the recommended amount stated on the packaging. Using too much essential oil can cause skin irritation and overwhelming odours that can be unpleasant.
In general, essential oils can be used safely in the washing machine as long as you follow the instructions and take some simple safety precautions.
Essential oil in the dryer
Essential oils can also be used when drying your clothes. There are several ways to add them and the result is beautifully scented clothes that also benefit from the positive properties of the different essential oils.
An easy way to add essential oils to drying clothes is to add a few drops of the oil to a cloth or dryer ball and put it in the tumble dryer with the clothes. Your clothes will become soft and fragrant and you can choose the essential oil that best suits your needs. Lavender oil, for example, is known for its calming effect and can help create a more relaxing atmosphere in the home, while eucalyptus oil has a refreshing effect and can help combat odours.
If you're drying your clothes without a tumble dryer, you can still add essential oils by pouring a few drops of the oil onto a piece of fabric and placing it with your clothes on the drying rack. You can also add the oil to a bowl of water and place it near the clothes while drying to spread the scent.
Be sure to read the specific instructions on your essential oils before adding them to drying clothes and always choose high-quality oils for best results.
Achieve clean and fragrant clothes with essential oils
Using essential oils in your washing machine has many benefits, including their natural scent, cleansing properties and can give your washing routine a natural boost. There are a wide variety of essential oils that can be used in the washing machine, including lavender, lemon, tea tree and eucalyptus.
When using essential oils in the washing machine, it's important to follow safety precautions and avoid using too much oil as it can cause clogging of the machine and worsen the condition of the clothes. Also, make sure to avoid certain essential oils that can cause stains on your clothes.
We encourage you to try using essential oils in your wash and experience the benefits for yourself.
