Here are 30 everyday uses for essential oils.

1. Potpourri which has lost its scent can be revived by adding a few drops of essential oil.
2. Add a few drops of oil to water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener.
3. To dispel household cooking smells, add a few drops of Clove oil to a simmering pan.
4. Ease headache pain by rubbing a drop of Rosemary or Lavender essential oil onto the back of your neck.
5. Add 10 drops of essential oil to a box of cornstarch or baking soda, mix very well, let set for a day or two and then sprinkle over the carpets on and vacuum after an hour or so.  
6. Shoes can be freshened by either dropping a few drops of Geranium essential oil directly into the shoes or by placing a cotton ball dabbed with a few drops of Lemon oil into the shoes. For Athlete's foot use Tea Tree oil.
   
7. Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your vacuum cleaner bag. Lemon and Pine oils are nice. Rose Geranium helps with pet odours.
8. To fragrance your kitchen cabinets and drawers, place a good scent dabbed on a cotton ball into a discreet corner.
9. To get rid of mice, place several drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place at problem locations.
10. Apply 1 or 2 drops of Lavender oil or Tea Tree oil directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches to help healing.
11. Homemade sachets are more fragrant when essential oils are blended with the flowers and herbs.
12. An essential oil dropped onto a radiator scent ring will not only fill the room with a wonderful fragrance, but will also set a mood such as calming or uplifting.
    
13. To dispel mosquitoes and other picnic pests, drop a few drops of Citronella oil on a melting candle.
14. Apply 1 drop of Lemon essential oil daily directly to a wart to irradicate.
    
15. Rosemary oil promotes alertness and stimulates memory. Inhale occasionally during long car trips and while reading or studying.
16. Geranium oil sprinkled throughout the home creates a warm, cheerful and inviting mood.
    
17. Add Cinnamon oil to furniture polish and wipe down the wood.
18. Infuse bookmarks and stationery with essential oils. Place drops of oil on paper and put them in a plastic bag. Seal it and leave overnight to infuse the aroma.
    
19. Drop approximately 2-3 drops of Vetivert, Cypress, Cedarwood, Frankincense and Myrrh  oil or blend of your choice on a dried log and allow time for the oil to soak in before putting the log on the fire, smells wonderful.
20. Flies and moths dislike Lavender oil. Sprinkle it on the outside of your window frames.
21. Place 1 or 2 drops of sleep enhancing oils such as Chamomile or Lavender on your pillow before retiring for restful sleep.
22. One drop of Lemon essential oil on a soft cloth will polish copper with a gentle buffing.
23. When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, or Orange essential oil to the final rinse water.
24. For burms or scalds, drop Tea Tree oil directly on the effected area.
25. Six to eight drops of Eucalyptus oil in the bath cools the body in summer and protects in winter.
26. Place 1 or 2 drops of Rosemary oil on your hair brush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.
27. To bring a fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1 drop each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender oils have been added.
28. A blend of Geranium, Lavender and Bergamot alleviates anxiety and depression. Use in a room diffuser or 6-8 drops of this blend in the bath.
29. A massage blend for babies is 1 drop Roman Chamomile, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Geranium diluted in 2 Tablespoons Sweet Almond oil.
30. For nice smelling towels, sheets, clothes, etc. place a few drops of your favourite essential oil onto a small tea towel and pop into the clothes dryer while drying.

Rather than use the harsh chemicals known to be included in many commercial cleaning supplies, you can use alternative healthier options.

Essential oils such as Tea tree, Lemon, Orange, Lavender and Pine can be used to combat germs, cut through grease and grime and freshen laundry and rooms.

Floor cleaner: Add a few drops of antibacterial oils such as Tea tree, Lemon or Pine to approx 4 litres (mop bucket) and approx 250ml (a cup) of white vinegar. 

Kitchen surface cleaner: Add 1 drop of Lemon, Thyme, Cypress, Lavender or Palmarose directly onto a dishcloth or alternatively approx 7 drops in a bowl of water.

Combat mould and mildrew: Combine 10 drops of Tea tree oil with a cup of vinegar (approx 250ml) Store the solution in a spray bottle and ue it to spot treat areas in the home.

Ironing spray: Add a few drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle to freshen linen or garments before ironing.  Use a colourless essential oil and shake well before use.

Wood furniture polish: Mix a few drops of Lemon essential oil with a teaspoon of olive oil.  Apply the mix to furniture with a light hand and buff with a soft cloth to add lustre to wood.

Air freshener: Put 5-7 drops in 500ml of water in a fine spray bottle and spray the air, carpets and curtains.

Moth deterrent: Place a cotton wool ball fragranced with Lavender, Cedarwood or camphor essential oil in drawers or wardrobes.

CAUTION: Please take precautions around pets, animals and children.  Some essential oils are dangerously harmful to your pets.

Make your own:
Air fresheners
Carpet fresheners

Bathroom Air Freshener

Add a few drops of essential oil to the cardboard tube inside a roll of toilet paper and fragrant aromas will be released every time the roll is turned.

Try the following essential oil combinations in 250ml of water in a spray bottle

Basic:

   250ml distilled water
   8 -10 drops essential oils, of your choice

Deodorising Room Spray

    6 drops bergamot essential oil
    1 drop eucalyptus essential oil
    2 drops lemon essential oil

Pet Deodorising Room Spray

    6 drops cedarwood essential oil
    3 drops tea tree oil

Christmas Spice Room Air Freshner

    6 drops Orange essential oil
    3 drops Cinnamon essential oil

Mood Lifter Air Freshner Spray

    4 drops chamomile essential oil
    3 drops orange essential oil
    2 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Relaxation Air Freshner Spray

    4 drops lavender oil
    3 drops chamomile essential oil

Try your own combinations.

It's that time of year when there are plenty of twigs and leaves lying around that can be used to make pot pourri.  Gather leaves, flowers, twigs, berries and leave them to dry out in a warm place in the house.  Add in wood shavings if you require and place all the plant material into a jar/tin with a seal. 

Add the below essential oils of your choice, mix and seal in the container (can shake once sealed to mix the oils) Then allow the potpourri to sit for several days and absorb the aroma.

Citrus scent
40% Grapefruit essential oil (eg 80 drops)
25% Lemon essential oil (eg 50 drops)
25% Clove essential oil (eg 50 drops)
10% Benzoin essential oil (eg 20 drops)

You can change use also Orange, Lemon, Lemongrass, Citronella and Lime essential oil.

For a Floral scent use:
Ylang ylang, Geranium, Orange, Lemon, Cedarwood or Rosewood oils

For a Forest scent use:
Lavender, Pine, Rosemary, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Juniperberry and Cajeput oils

For a Minty scent use:
Peppermint, Lemon, Petitgrain, Rosemary, Grapefruit, Benzoin, Eucalyptus oils

For a Spicy scent use:
Patchouli, Cinnamon, Orange, Benzoin, Clove.

Want to make your own carpet fresheners with essential oils?  Here are some easy recipes to make at home.

Mix 100 drops of essential oil with 120g of bicarbonate of soda in a wide mouth jar and tighten the cap.  Set aside for 24 hours allowing the essential oils to permeate the powder.  Sprinkle on the carpet and after leaving for approx 15 minutes vacuum.

Here are some essential oil combinations

60 drps Lavender essential oil
20 drps Cinnamon essential oil
20 drps Orange essential oil

or

50 drps Lime essential oil
30 drps Orange essential oil
20 drps Patchouli essential oil

or

30 drps Eucalyptus essential oil
40 drps Cinnamon essential oil
30 drps Lemongrass essential oil