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I can’t remember where I got the idea to use essential oils as a natural way to fragrance my laundry but it’s become a habit that I do with every wash now.
It means I don’t have to add artificial chemicals via a perfumed fabric conditioner so it’s a brilliant natural alternative to fabric softener. Ok, so, it doesn’t actually make your clothes soft but it makes them smell great!
I don’t mind what essential oils I use as long as I like the scent. I’ve found that not only do clothes come out smelling lovely but the aroma drifts around the room too as they’re hanging to dry.
On the choice of essential oils to use, I did some research and found that lavender and citrus oils such as orange and lemon, are recommended to help fight grease, stains and odour, making them particularly good for laundry.
How to use essential oils in laundry
I simply add 8-12 drops of my favourite oil into the detergent tray, along with the liquid detergent.
If you don’t use liquid or powder in the tray and use an eco-egg in the drum then I still add the essential oil drops into the tray. Close the lid and get the machine going. It’s as simple as that.
I’ve recently been using essential oils from Indigo Herbs as they kindly sent me a few to try. The range of single and mix blends is vast so take a look as it’s such an interesting variety – I love the look of Emotional Balance Pulse Point Roller, Joy Essential Oil Blend, Palo Santo Essential Oil (something I’ve not seen before) and Pregnancy Care Essential Oil.
Indigo Herbs also does a brilliant range of organic superfood powders and the biggest range of tinctures (which are my favourite way to take a herbal supplement) I’ve ever seen – I’ll definitely be indulging in a proper shopping spree there.
Insider tip
After sharing my essential oils in laundry tip with Indigo Herbs, the media and marketing director, Claire Kelly emailed me and said she puts essential oils in her vacuum cleaner bags – ‘as it makes the room smell nice when you vacuum up’ – another brilliant and alternative use for essential oils!
Give them both a go and let me know what you think.
For more eco and healthy tips check out:
- Get 15% off beeswax and vegan food wraps from Bee Zero Waste
- Get £10 off Liquid Curcumin – the new liquid supplement worth knowing about
- How yoga can connect us to nature
- The easy breathing exercise to help anxiety and stress
Brighter Shade of Green 
I use essential oils too during my washing. Recently I tried something very different than my usual lavender, it is litsea cubeba which gives a slightly fruity, lemony smell to my cloths. If you are after this refreshing smell, I bought it from here: https://www.enyxa.com/essential-oils/litsea_cubeba_essential_oil
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Hi, can you tell me how you soften your clothes? I have tried Eco Balls and soap nuts, but sometimes the washing isn’t clean and is not as soft as I would like… thank you, Samantha
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Hi Samantha, thanks for your comment! I don’t actually use fabric softener and don’t feel like I need it. However, check out eco brands such as ecover which do a fabric conditioner. I’ve also read that baking soda works. I found this blog post if you fancy making your own: http://everydayroots.com/homemade-fabric-softener – let me know what you think!
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Thank you for this link… that is very helpful… I will give it a go… thank you for this blog, as I had been wondering for a while about adding lavender drops to my clothes :-)
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You’re most welcome! Honestly I add the essential oils to every wash and makes a big difference. Enjoy and thanks for reading :))
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I love using essential oils in the softener tray too, Yanar: lavender or mandarin are our current favs. We use an eco egg in the drum instead. They even get cloth nappies clean. Totally converted!
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Great you use essential oils too.. I also use an eco egg in the drum but never sure if it’s enough to clean with so I use a touch of eco detergent with it! 😊
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