The Home is a Well-Oiled Machine

Looking for ways to use those baby-safe essential oils? These ideas may give you some inspiration for using your EOs with baby and around the home. Citrus oils are especially great for using all over the house, since most of them are relatively inexpensive and lose their potency before most other oils.

Bergamot: Can help with stress, anxiety, or depression. To reduce stress, try diffusing a blend of bergamot, grapefruit, and sweet orange or lemon. When used on (adult) skin with a carrier oil, it can relieve itching, psoriasis, and acne. It can be phototoxic, so avoid sun exposure after skin application.

Cinnamon Leaf: Can help with stress and fatigue. Diffusing cinnamon can put some pep back in your step! (For this reason, I would not recommend diffusing it before baby’s bedtime.)

Fir Needle: I love diffusing fir needle as a baby-safe alternative to eucalyptus when we have a house full of stuffy noses. Fir needle also makes a great addition to homemade air fresheners.

Grapefruit: Wonderful for increasing energy. I just feel so much bouncier when I diffuse grapefruit. When used with a carrier oil, it can be used on (adult) skin to help with cellulite, water retention, and toxin build-up. Try blending 1oz grapeseed oil (astringent), 8 drops grapefruit oil, and 7 drops lemon oil for a "post-pregnancy cellulite-be-gone” rub. Whether it works or not, you will come out smelling like a...well, delicious citrus fruit of some kind. *wink* (Grapefruit is phototoxic, so I don’t recommend applying it to the face.)

Lavender: This may be the most versatile EO out there. It’s not my favorite smell by any means, but it certainly serves many purposes around my home. It is anti-bacterial, so it is great for making homemade wet wipes and cleaning sprays. It is also known for its ability to dissolve stress and beckon the Sandman. Lavender is one of the safest oils and would be a good choice to help with itching or small cuts (in the proper dilution). For Mamas-to-be out there, lavender is thought to help with labor pains (possibly because it is so relaxing) and with post-pregnancy stretch marks. I need to try it for that!

Lemon: Like other citrus oils, lemon is great for a pick-me-up when you feel like you are dragging. Lemon is an effective de-greasing agent, so it also makes a handy kitchen cleaner. You can also put 2-3 drops in with your dishwasher soap before washing the dishes to help clean the dishes and machine. Lemon can be used to dispense of lingering smells, such as cigarette smoke. Lastly, lemon is useful for promoting the health of your ten tiny tootsies. If you have athlete’s foot or chilblains, applying lemon to your toes with a carrier oil may help!

Sweet Orange: Considering it is one of the least expensive oils, sweet orange is a great investment for the home. It blends well with nearly any oil (I especially like it with peppermint). Sweet orange serves double time in the kitchen by cleaning the counters and doing away with a grumpy mood (I find myself pretty cranky when the kitchen is a mess).

Tea Tree: One of the safest oils, tea tree is great for almost any skin ailment, including itching, cuts, and insect bites (when used in the proper dilution). Although it has a “medicinal” smell, I love how earthy it is. In fact, I recently used some in a homemade perfume. Try blending 20ml grapeseed oil, 1 drop eucalyptus, 1 drop tea tree, 4 drops patchouli, and 3 drops Four Thieves blend for a trip down memory lane to Woodstock (or whatever hippie hangout you used to haunt).

If you are wondering about proper dilutions, I recommend using a 1% dilution on little ones (only with baby-safe oils). This would be 6 drops of EO for every 1 oz (30ml) carrier liquid. For everyday adult skin care, I recommend a 2% dilution (just double the 1%). If you are having a short-term health issue, a dilution of 3-10% is usually the way to go.

Do you Mamas have other ideas for using your baby-safe oils around the house? Do tell! I am always looking for new ways to keep my house smelling yummy!

Peace and love,