Real Estate: Seven ways to use essential oils in your home

 Submitted by Richie Vraux

There are a ton of reasons to incorporate essential oils into your family's daily lives. Not only can they infuse every room with uplifting scents, but many also have medicinal and anti-bacterial properties. This makes them perfect for treating common ailments and cleaning your home without dangerous chemicals.

When you're first getting started with using essential oils, it can feel a bit intimidating. However, once you understand the ways to use them around your home, you'll see just how easy it is. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

1. Freshen the Air
Make a homemade air freshener spray by combining half a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol, 10 to 20 drops of your favorite oil, and water. Use a dark-colored glass spray bottle to help keep the oils from breaking down or oxidizing.

Orange, grapefruit, and lemon are popular scents to use in the kitchen and bathroom. If you like a stronger smell, try using peppermint, rosemary, or eucalyptus.

2. Deter Bugs and Rodents
If you don't feel great about using pesticides or poisons in your home, you're in luck. Peppermint essential oil deters ants, spiders, mosquitoes, and even mice. Dab some on your skin, clothing, and furniture to keep pests away. You can also soak cotton balls with the oil and leave them in the areas in your home where these unwelcome guests are likely to enter.

3. Wash Fruits and Veggies
Most fruits and vegetables are covered in harmful pesticides and germs from all the hands that have touched them before reaching your kitchen. Plain water isn't effective, and store-bought veggie washes are expensive. Instead, make your own by mixing apple cider vinegar, baking soda, water, and ten drops of lemon essential oil. Store the mix in a glass spray bottle for convenient use.

4. Make Bath Time More Relaxing
Adding essential oils to your bath is one of the best ways to relax and unwind after a long day. Start by filling your tub with warm water, then add a mixture of either a few tablespoons of olive oil or two cups of unscented Epsom salts with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Some of the best oils for bath time include jasmine, sandalwood, rose, or lavender.

5. Clean and Disinfect
The anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties of essential oils make them perfect for including in homemade cleaners. Try mixing lemon, sweet orange, lavender, melaleuca, or tea tree oils with diluted castile soap. For a stronger cleaner, combine 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 30 drops of essential oil like wild orange, eucalyptus, a mix of grapefruit and lavender, or a protective blend like Thieves.

6. Natural Headache Relief
Essential oils also help ease headaches. Mix almond oil with a drop or two of chamomile, frankincense, rosemary, or lavender essential oil. Rub the blend on your temples, back of your neck, and pulse points. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and watch your headache pain disappear.

7. Get a Better Night's Sleep
Lavender is known for its relaxing properties, making it the perfect oil to diffuse right before bedtime. You can also mix it in a spray bottle with water and spray a fine mist on your bedsheets or pillowcases. Some users also like to soak a cotton ball with a few drops of lavender oil and keep it in their pajama drawer.

This is just the beginning of the incredible things you can do with essential oils. Don't be afraid to experiment with more fun projects like making your own hand lotions, dryer sheets, candles, and more. Once you start to get comfortable, the possibilities are virtually endless! <
Richie Vraux is a Realtor/ Broker with Better Homes and Gardens-The Masiello Group 76 Tandberg Trail, Windham. Call Richie for a free written evaluation at 207-317 1297 or by email at richardjvraux@gmail.com