7 Unexpected Ways to Use Essential Oils in Your Home

Essential oils aren't new, but their spike in popularity certainly is. Sometime in the past few years, they went from something sold primarily in health food co-ops to a key component of the skyrocketing wellness industry.

If you're only using essential oils as aromatherapy, you're vastly underestimating them. These all-natural powerhouses can do everything from clean your carpets to freshen your laundry. Trust us: once you see all the surprising benefits essential oils have to offer, you'll be hooked.

Your vacuum cleaner can actually do double duty as a room freshener. Just add two or three drops of Lavender essential oil to the filter, bag, or canister, then vacuum as normal. The entire room will smell fresh when you're done!

Forget the heavily perfumed air fresheners and bowls of potpourri. All you need to keep your bathroom smelling fresh are a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Next time you replace the toilet paper roll, put two or three drops on the cardboard roll for a light, refreshing aroma.

Sure, dryer sheets give your laundry a lovely scent, but they also create a lot of waste. Instead, try reusable wool dryer balls doused with five or more drops of delicate Geranium essential oil for a subtle scent.

Trying to switch to green cleaning products? Try out this all-natural, all-purpose cleaning spray. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water with 20 drops of Lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake it up, then spray on everything from the kitchen table to bathroom countertops for quick clean up.

You don't have to get your carpets cleaned every time they start getting a little grimy. Try this hack to refresh them in a pinch. Mix together two cups baking soda and 30 drops of the essential oil of your choice (we like Lemon, Lavender, and Pine best). Sprinkle all over your rugs and carpets, wait for two hours, then vacuum it up to remove unwanted odors.

Pro tip: Lemon essential oil works better than almost any stain remover on the market. Apply a few drops to the stain, rub it in with your fingers, then throw it in the washing machine. Before using this trick on white fabric, you might want to test the essential oil somewhere inconspicuous, as it does have a very faint color.

Hanging air fresheners aren't just for the car — they also work miracles in small spaces where you might not have room for a full-size diffuser. Cut out a piece of felt or other fabric into whatever shape you like, then spritz it with an essential oil or blend. The scent isn't strong, but it gets rid of mustiness immediately.