Application of Essential Oils

Essential oils can produce infinite blends and these blends can be used in numerous ways; it is only limited by your imagination.  Here I have listed some of the ways that essential oils can be used in your home, in the car and at the office.  For information on how to blend see Blending your Essential Oils.

In The Car

Essential Oils can remove some of those unwanted smells from your car and provide you with a pleasant driving experience,  the best oils to use in the car are the uplifting oils (top notes).  Some of the Middles and Base note oils can be sedative and therefore unsuitable for use in the car.

• Place one drop of essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in the air vent of your car. 
• Make an Air Freshener using 5 drops of essential oil to 100ml of water and place it in a spray bottle.  Shake the bottle well before each use.  This is a quick and easy way to freshen your car before or after your journey or after you have given it a spring clean. I have used a small ratio of essential oils in this air freshener blend as your car is small than your home and you do not want to be over-powered by the scent.

In the Home

Your friend has just arrived unannounced and is walking up the driveway.  You take a smell of your house and realise that you can still smell last nights curry.  Don't panic. Here are some simple suggestion you can make prior to this happening that can be used as a quick remedy.

• Make an air freshener using 10 drops of essential oil to 100ml of water.  You can make any blend of essential oils that you like.  Using the ratio you would use 4 drops of top note, 6 drops of middle note and two drops of base note.
• Put one to two drops of essential oil onto the filter of your vacuum cleaner to give your house a boost of smell as you clean it.
• Place two drops of essential oil onto the melted wax of an already lit unscented candle.  The candle will gently fuse the wax and the essential oils to create a subtle aroma.
• Using your oil burner place the recommended drops of essential oil into the bowl of tepid water (candle oil burner) or directly onto the plate (electric oil burner). 
• Use your oils by placing them in the bath.  Essential Oils are best placed in 10ml of carrier oil such as Sweet Almond Oil or if you don't have any, then you can use milk when using oils in the bath.  The Carrier oil or milk will help to disperse the oils.  Beware that if you are using a carrier oil it may make the bath surface and your skin slippery and that some essential oils are not suitable for use in a bath.
• If you prefer a shower then place a metal bowl with 6 drops of essential oil in the base of your shower under the running water and cover the plug hole with a face washer.  When the warm water blends with the essential oils it gives off a wonderful aroma and can transform your shower experience. 
• To add an aroma to your laundry, you can add 3 drops of essential oil to the final rinse cycle of your washing machine. 
• Use one drop of essential oil on a tissue and place it in your draws to keep your clothes smelling fresh. 
• Add 5 drops of essential oil to 10ml of carrier oil and massage into the body.  You can use this to massage yourself or someone else.
• Make your own little perfume cream by adding 1 drop of essential oil to 1ml of unscented base cream and place on your neck and wrists.  This is a good one for using a blend that you have already made.

In the Office

• Place one drop of essential oil on a cotton ball and place it on your desk to add a new aroma to your workplace.
• Use an electric or USB oil diffuser (most workplaces are a flame free zone in accordance with Occupation Health and Safety regulations).  Place the recommended amounts in your oil burner to give off a gentle scent.  Be aware that not everyone will like your favourite essential oils so why not ask the people around you what they like and use your new knowledge of blending to dazzle your colleagues and make a blend.  You can also try something subtle and place only 2 - 3 drops of one essential oil in the diffuser. 
• Place one drop of essential oil in a tissue and gently inhale.  Do not let the essential oil touch your nose undiluted.

Please read the cautions listed for individual essential oils by clicking the info button next to it in the Essential Oil - 10ml page and by reading the safety information sheet that accompanies your oils.  These cautions are listed as a guide only and may not be complete.  If in doubt please seek advice.  Only use the recommended amounts as stated on the bottle and your accessories.