Laundry Using Essential Oils -
Clothes Smell Sweet and Clean
Using essential oils in the laundry means the clothes can be safely and thoroughly cleaned with pure essential oils and all natural products - we don't need to use the modern, highly toxic chemical synthetics. Some essential oils, in particular Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint and Lemon, have excellent:
- antibiotic,
- antiseptic and
- antifungal properties,
just what is needed to cleanse clothes of dirt, lingering microbes and possible infectants in the cloth fibers.
Fabric Softener
Ingredients:
- 250ml white vinegar
- 250g bicarbonate of soda
- 500ml water
- 10 drops of Lavender, Lemon or Eucalyptus essential oils
Directions:
Combine all ingredients, carefully, because the concoction will fizz. Store in a glass container. Add 60ml to the final rinse or pour into the fabric softener dispenser in the washing machine.
Stain Removal
Chocolate
Sponge with cold water then rub over with glycerine and leave for half an hour. Then wash with soap and water and rinse.
Coffee
Mix an egg yolk with warm water and rub over the stain. Wash as normal.
Curry
Soak the stain with methylated spirits and then wash as normal.
Tea Stains
Sponge the stain with cold water then rub over with glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes then wash with soap and water and rinse.
Pre-Wash Stain Remover
Ingredients:
- 125ml water
- 125ml laundry/dishwashing detergent
- 125ml cloudy ammonia
- 10 drops of Lavender, Lemon or Eucalyptus essential oils
Directions:
Combine all ingredients of this essential oils for laundry method into a clean unused spray bottle. Shake well. Spray onto stains and then wash immediately.
Never combine ammonia with bleach (chlorine) as this mixture can cause a gas which is hazardous to breathing and is potentially lethal.
Laundry Soap
This soap powder is useful for washing machines or hand washing.
Ingredients:
- 125g washing soda
- 200g grated pure soap
- 120g sea salt
- 120g borax
- 125g bicarbonate of soda
- 20 drops total of Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lavender or Peppermint essential oils. (Or even better, a combination of some or all of these essential oils.)
Directions:
Put the washing soda into a bag and crush with a rolling pin or other method. Mix these crystals with other dry ingredients and then mix through the essential oils with a utensil or by hand. I use a fork as it seems to mix the dry ingredients with the essential oils better. But if you use your hands wear rubber gloves for protection against the possible irritant factor of the borax.
Store this essential oils for laundry mixture in a glass bottle or jar, sealed tightly. It will make up about 3 cups.
To Use:
- 1 tablespoon for light load
- 1½ tablespoon for medium load
- 2 tablespoons for heavy load
Dissolve in water before adding to the washing machine. For a front loader add to a small amount of hot water and place in dispenser.
Before each use just give a little shake to move the essential oils through the powder.
Don't use washing soda on woolens or silk.
The clothes smell so beautiful!
Liquid Soap
This liquid soap leaves laundry sweet smelling and soft. This can be safely used in septic systems. For use in washing machines or hand washing.
Ingredients:
- 125ml liquid Castile soap
- 125g washing soda
- 120g borax
- 3 teaspoons Lavender or Lemon essential oil
- 20 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- 7 liters hot water
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a metal bucket and stir until all solids are dissolved. Pour into smaller glass dispensers and store away from light and heat. Shake the bottle before use.
Use about 60ml each load. Be careful of the borax as it can be irritating to the skin. Perhaps use rubber gloves when handling it.
Don't use washing soda on woolens or silk.
Borax is:
- Disinfecting,
- Stain Removing,
- Deodorising and
- Mould Inhibiting.
Eucalyptus is wonderful for removing stains, especially grease and perspiration. Put a couple of drops onto a clean rag and wipe the stain from the outside in. Then wash.
Wool Wash
This is a very old recipe and works wonders. The Eucalyptus keeps the wool soft and repels moths. Only rinse if using on white material as the solution could cause yellowing of white colors.
Ingredients:
- 500ml water
- 200g pure soap flakes
- 125ml methylated spirits
- 20 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil
Directions:
Boil the water and stir in the soap flakes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir until all flakes have melted. Add the methylated spirits and essential oil and mix well.
Store in a wide mouthed jar or container where the solution will set firm. To use dissolve a tablespoon (or as much as is required) in a bucket of warm water and wash the clothes.
Keep well sealed.
Delicate Fabrics
Ingredients:
- 145g finely ground bran
- 4 tablespoons dried soapwort
- 2 teaspoons dried lavender
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
- 1 litre distilled/pure water
Directions:
Boil the ingredients (except the essential oil) together for 20 minutes. Strain all solid material, leaving only the liquid. Add the essential oil and mix well.
Use some of the solution in a hand wash and then rinse.
