Clothes that are freshly washed smell wonderful. Sometimes, taking clothes out from the dryer can give you a comforting feeling just by the way they smell. But, if you’re tired of the scent of your normal laundry soap, there are ways to give you some variety. Essential oils
In the Washing Machine
First let’s take a look at how you can use essential oils in your washing machine. If you’ve got oily smells or greasy smells in your clothing, you can add a teaspoon of lemon oil to get rid of these odors. If you worry you might have dust mites in your sheets and bedding, research suggests that a few drops of eucalyptus oil added to the load could kill these pests.
When you use essential oils in the washing machine, you don’t want to use your regular laundry soap. You’ll want to get an unscented variety of laundry soap. Most brands on the market have an unscented option available at the store. Pick out an essential oil that is pleasant to you. Popular scents used in laundry include lavender or other floral scented oils. When you start your load of laundry, put your clothes in like usual and start the cycle. You want to put two to three drops of the oil in with your detergent. Mix them up a little bit before adding them to the water. Then pour your oil and detergent mixture in the water and let the cycle run normally. When you transfer the laundry from the washer to the dryer, make sure the temperature on the dryer in on medium or low heat. When the dryer cycle is done, your laundry will smell clean and fresh with the scent of the oil you chose.
In the Dryer
You can also use essential oils in your dryer. Dryer sheets that you buy at the store can be expensive over time, and they can contain synthetics that may be bad for you. You can make your own essential oil dryer sheets by using a cotton cloth and your choice of essential oil. You’ll need scraps of white cotton fabric. An old t-shirt is fine to use too. You’ll need five drops of your choice of essential oil. Scatter five drops of the essential oil over the piece of cotton fabric. Place the fabric sheet into the dryer with the load of laundry, and let the dryer run like normal on medium to low heat. It’s suggested to use the same essential oil you used to wash your clothes, or else just use the unscented laundry detergent in the washer. If you have bedding that has stubborn odors that won’t go away, adding lavender essential oil to a cotton cloth as a dryer sheet could eliminate them. It is suggested to use medium or low heat during the dryer cycle to help preserve the essential oil scent.
Things To Remember
There are a few precautions to keep in mind when using essential oils for your laundry. Some sources warn that using essential oils in the washing machine could be harmful to the machine. They could damage the plastic plumbing in the washer. Also, it could be risky to use citrus oils in your laundry. Oils such as grapefruit, orange, and other similar oils could discolor the clothing. If you want a citrus smell in your laundry, it’s better to use them in the dryer on a cotton cloth. It’s suggested to use clearer and lighter essential oils in the washing machine to avoid discoloration.
Using essential oils for your laundry can give your clothes and bedding a unique scent. It’s also a bit less expensive than buying traditional detergent and dryer sheets. Even though there are a few precautions to take when using essential oils, all in all, it’s perfectly safe to do.
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