As a frugal person who is allergic to too much clutter under sink cabinets, I’m all about buying things with multiple purposes.
That’s one reason why I use coconut oil to cook AND to moisturize my face. It’s also why I use a bar of soap to wash my hair and why I use a heating pad to make yogurt. Buying multiple things that each only have one purpose is not only a waste of money, but it’s a waste of storage space!! (And all the bottles and containers and such really do give me hives.)
When I tell my friends and family about essential oils though, they naturally think they’re only good for one thing: diffusing.
While they are fantastic for freshening the air and dispelling foul odors (homemade fish sticks, anyone?), there are TONS of other PRACTICAL essential oil uses too! Maybe you’re just a beginner at this. I once was too. Now I know so many amazing things that can be done with essential oils and how much chemicals can be eradicated from my home by making the switch.
In fact, the more I learn about the ways to use essential oils, the more I rely on them and not on the store-bought stuff I used to!
In years past, I’ve used essential oils to freshen my carpet, to clean my produce and in my daily moisturizer, but I know this is just the tip of the iceberg.
I first got started with essential oils with a Young Living Premium Starter Kit. You save 50% over buying everything by itself, and it’s by far the best bang for your buck. (This is one of the ways we’re able to afford essential oils!).
Young Living
(FYI – Young Living does not require you to sell oils, nor is there a monthly commitment to buy.)
Here’s how to get started:
- Click HERE to visit the Young Living website. (Make sure 2298517 is in the member and sponsor field. Choose wholesale membership.)
- Fill out your information, choose a starter kit (I recommend the Premium Starter Kit) and decide on whether or not to opt in to Essential Rewards.
- Check out and confirm your order.
Young Living is the only essential oil company with the patented Seed to Seal process, ensuring you’re only getting 100% pure therapeutic grade oils. You can read more about why I chose Young Living HERE, and how we afford to buy essential oils on a budget HERE.
However, if Young Living is out of your reach, I’ve heard great things about Plant Therapy on Amazon.
There’s no way I could come up with all these ideas on my on my own… I’m only one woman and only do so many things in a given day. I don’t have kids under feet anymore, my husband doesn’t change the oil in our cars and my kids know not to draw on the walls…
Although I do often forget to pack my deodorant while traveling, LOL!!
Since my fellow mama’s are in all different seasons of life, I asked my oily team for their best ideas and hacks for using the essential oils that come in the Premium Start Kit… and they blew me out of the water!!
Altogether, we came up with over 50 different ways to use these essential oils – besides diffusing of course. You can see how they’ve quickly become an asset to this busy wife and mom!
50+ Essential Oil Uses (Besides Diffusing Them)
Note #1: Some of these oils require dilution, and some do not. All oils should be diluted when using on children. I didn’t get into details or tutorials in this post because you’d be here all day if I did, but if you have any questions, leave a comment or send me an email. Better yet, join my Young Living team today and join 800+ other genius oily ladies who can help you get the most out of your oils!
Note #2: The biggest concern with essential oils and pets isn’t necessarily WHAT oil you’re using, but the QUALITY of the oil you’re using. Young Living has the patented Seed to Seal process with standards far surpassing organic regulations. If you want to use essential oils and are concerned about pets, I encourage you to read this article.
Note #3: I understand that not everyone wants to be part of Young Living. And while they are still my first choice, I’ve also heard great things about Plant Therapy on Amazon.
Peppermint
- Deters creepy crawling things on the ground… ants, spiders, roaches, etc.
- Reduce hunger cravings
- Encourages thicker and longer hair
- Deters creepy crawling things in hair!
- Deters creepy crawling things on pets!
- Soothes skin that has been in the sun too much
- Alleviates occasional nausea or motion sickness
- Helps digestion of gas-causing foods (i.e. cabbage, broccoli, etc.)
- Offers a cooling sensation on the skin during hot months
Lemon
- removes labels from jars
- removes permanent marker from doors
- de-greases greasy spots in the kitchen
- takes off tree sap from your hands
- removes crayon from dressers
- removes oil from jeans hubby just changed the car oil in
- add to the rinse cycle of the washer and line dry whites to brighten clothes naturally
- natural option for cleaning produce
- cleans rust off stainless steel
- takes regular marker off white boards
- can clean burned-on yuck from stainless steel
- use to clean the inside of the washing machine
- use to clean the inside of the oven
- keeps digestive pipes moving
- polishes wood and silver
- can help manage stress and worry
- brightens grout and tile
- use in hair and spend time in the sun for natural highlights
Are you ready to detox your home?
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Thieves
- Two drops with plant food to a bouquet of flowers to prolong the life of your flowers.
- Remove oil stains from clothes
- Sniff as you’re cutting onions to help prevent your eyes from crying
Lavender
- Add 1-2 drops to mascara for long and luscious eyelashes
- After-sun spray
- Mix with rice to make room sachets
- Amazing to support a good nights’ rest
- Acts as a pest repellant on pets
R.C. / Raven
- Use to make homemade chest rub
Stress Away
- Gives shiny, smooth beard
Digize
- Keeping the digestive pipes moving
- Can help with gas bubbles and bloating
- Great to use when you eat out (including vacation!)
- Can help with gassy, fussy babies
Frankincense
- Supports healthy skin for all ages
Citrus Fresh
- Put 1-2 drops on a cotton ball and place at the bottom of trash cans, litter box, diaper pails, bathrooms, under car seats… anywhere stinky!
- Put a drop or two on a cotton ball in the filter section of the vacuum cleaner
- Place a drop or two inside a stinky dishwasher
- Place a drop inside stinky shoes or work boots
- Use on the carpet after pet accidents
- Use in the washer and dryer to help get rid of musty smelling laundry
- Can use under arms if you forget to wear deodorant
- Use on furniture to get rid of vomit, pet or any stinky smells
- Helps cut grease (add to hand soap or dish soap)
- Cuts through grime on bathroom tile
- Add to air conditioning filters
Copaiba
- Soothes sore muscles
- Soothes scratchy throats
- Helps stretch marks fade
- Helps with teething children
- Great for supporting the skin
- Helps with restful sleep
- Encourages long and luscious eyelashes
- Helps with hair growth
Any Oil
- Add 2-4 drops to the inside of your toilet paper roll
And when it seems like there’s nothing left in the bottle:
- Add empty bottles right into the bathtub with you (avoid hot and/or cold oils!)
- Fill partway with carrier oil to really get every last drop out
- Place empty bottles, plastic pieces and lids in a bag of baking soda and shake well. Clean and re-use pieces as necessary BUT re-use the now-scented baking soda! It works great as a toxin-free carpet refresher (tutorial on that here) or as a scrub with Thieves cleaner.
- Or add 1 tsp of this baking soda to shampoo, body wash, lotion or dish soap to make bubbles!
- Or add empty bottles to Epsom salt instead of baking soda and use the salt for a relaxing bath!
Alexa Jordan
Bulk Apothecary’s essential oils are what I use and they smell so fresh and clean. I love using them around my house too.
Karen @ Team Crumbs
Hi Alexa,
Thanks for sharing. We will be sure to check that one out! 🙂
Moksha Essentials
Great Article… I love to read your articles because your writing style is too good, it is very very helpful for all of us and I never get bored while reading your article because, they are becomes a more and more interesting from the starting lines until the end.
Kyare - Team Crumbs
So glad to hear that, Moksha!
meow
I have a bottle of Frankincense and use Virgin organic coconut oil for skin, how do i mix the two together please?
Thank you
Karen @ Team Crumbs
Hi Meow!
You’d just add a few drops to your bottle of carrier oil and mix. Of course, coconut oil is solid at cooler temps, so the coconut would probably have to a be bit warm (liquid) to mix the EO into the bottle. 🙂
Beverly
You can add rosemary oil to aloe Vera juice and rinse your hair with it twice a week to cover gray hair. My favorite tip is to put peppermint oil on the back of your head to relieve headaches.
SJ - Team Crumbs
Hi Beverly,
I use peppermint oil to help alleviate headaches too. Thanks for sharing the tip! It’s great to learn from one another. 🙂
Jane
I mostly use EO’s for spraying the laundry & pillows. Awesome new ways tho!
Rebecca Shreves
I love to add a drop of Theives Vitality to my morning coffee. I missed having flavored coffee in the morning and this does the trick!
Tiffany
YUM! That sounds like a great addition!