Adding fragrance to your washing – this is how to do so without TOXINS.

For adding scent. Essential oils can add a fresh, natural scent to clothes without resorting to synthetic fragrances. Conventional fabric softeners and dryer sheets often contain chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies.

Many essential oils have natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. This makes them perfect for freshening up laundry, especially towels, gym clothes, or any other items that are prone to odors. Oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemon are known for their disinfecting abilities, making them ideal choices Here is a quick overview:

Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils because of its calming scent and natural antibacterial properties. It’s perfect for leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean while promoting relaxation. Add a few drops of lavender oil to your dryer balls or mix it with your laundry detergent for an uplifting scent.

Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is well-known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it ideal for disinfecting laundry. It’s especially useful for cleaning towels, gym clothes, or any laundry items that tend to develop odors. Just a few drops of tea tree oil in your laundry load can eliminate bacteria and freshen up even the stinkiest fabrics.

Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon oil is a natural deodorizer that brightens and freshens laundry. Its citrusy scent is invigorating, and it’s perfect for boosting the cleaning power of your detergent. Lemon oil also has natural bleaching properties, making it ideal for whitening whites and removing stains when added to the wash cycle.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus oil is another excellent option for due to its refreshing scent and antimicrobial properties. It’s great for use on bedding, towels, and clothing as it helps to refresh and sanitize fabrics naturally.

Peppermint Essential Oil
If you want to add an energizing, minty scent to your clothes, peppermint oil is a great choice. This oil is known for its cooling and refreshing aroma, and its antimicrobial properties make it perfect for refreshing your laundry.

How to use the oils

1. Add to Your Laundry Detergent
You can add essential oils directly to your liquid laundry detergent to boost its cleaning power and fragrance. Simply add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil to your detergent before starting the wash cycle. For powder detergent, mix the oils into the powder before adding it to the washing machine.

2. Use with Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls help reduce drying time, soften fabrics, and eliminate static. To use them with essential oils, add 3-4 drops of essential oil to each dryer ball before tossing them in with your wet laundry. This method ensures your clothes come out smelling fresh without the need for dryer sheets or fabric softeners.

3. Create a DIY Fabric Softener
You can easily create your own eco-friendly fabric softener by combining essential oils with white vinegar. White vinegar helps to soften clothes, while the essential oils provide a pleasant scent. Simply mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 10-15 drops of essential oil and add it to your washing machine during the rinse cycle.

4. DIY Linen Spray
If you want to add fragrance to your laundry without using dryer sheets or liquid softeners, a DIY linen spray is a great solution. Combine water, a little vodka or witch hazel, and 10-15 drops of your preferred essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and spritz the solution on clothes, towels, or sheets before drying to infuse them with a fresh scent.

How Much Essential Oil Should You Use in Laundry?

When it comes to using essential oils, a little goes a long way. Depending on the size of your laundry load, you only need a few drops to achieve the desired fragrance. Typically, 5-10 drops per load should suffice. For stronger scents or larger loads, you can increase the amount to 15-20 drops.

Tips for Using Essential Oils Safely in Laundry

While essential oils are natural, they are also highly concentrated, so it’s important to use them correctly in your laundry:

• Dilute: Always dilute essential oils in water or mix them with your laundry detergent before adding them to the wash to prevent concentrated oil from directly contacting fabrics.
• Patch Test: If you’re unsure how an essential oil will react with your clothes, perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area of fabric before using it on the entire load.
• Use High-Quality Oils: For the best results, always use high-quality, pure essential oils. Synthetic oils or blends may contain additives that aren’t as effective or safe for laundry.