18-Essential Oil Hacks

Learn how to use essential oils for everyday use with these simple, tried, and true hacks. From cleaning to spot treatments to natural bug repellent, these hacks are going to make your life a little easier and a lot healthier.

I get a lot of questions about how to use essential oils properly, diluting them, which oils to use for common issues, diffusing them around pets…the list goes on! I actually created a masterclass that teaches you everything you need to know about using oils properly. Register here!

In this post, I show you how to put your oils to use practically. These 18 essential oil hacks are sure to come in handy and will hopefully give you some good ideas if you have oils but not really sure how to use them, especially if you have kids, as you will see.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.

ESSENTIAL OIL HACKS

1. FRESHEN THE TRASHCAN

This is one that you won’t want to miss and probably the most simple on the whole list. Next time you are changing out the trash bag, grab the lemon essential oil. Add a few drops to the bottom of the can before putting the bag in to freshen the space and cover up odor.

Other oils to try include tea tree, lemongrass, wild orange, cinnamon, and rosemary. And of course, check out my how-to deep clean plus how to make a trash can air freshener recipe for both indoor and outdoor trash cans.

2. VACUUM DIFFUSER

Adding a couple of drops of essential oils to your vacuum bag will create a homemade diffuser every time you vacuum. If you don’t have a vacuum with a bag, put a couple of drops on the filter.

3. CARPET DEODORIZER

If you need to freshen the carpet or rugs in your home, sprinkle it with baking soda and a couple of drops of lavender essential oil. Allow it to sit on the carpet for a few minutes and then vacuum the spot. If you need to do more than freshen, check out my homemade carpet cleaner.

It is always important to test a small area of carpet before doing this over an entire room. A closet is a great place and often needs a little freshening up anyway!

4. EASY ROOM SPRAYS

If you want to freshen the room without any chemicals, you can make a simple homemade room spray. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil into a glass spray bottle, top off with witch hazel, shake well, and mist into the air.

Make a spray bottle to leave in the bathroom and car to freshen as needed.

5. MAGIC ERASE

Have you ever used those white foamy magic erasers? I used to always have these on hand. Face it, any of us with little children have at one point walked into their room just as they were putting their finishing touches on their wall drawings. Now all I use is lemon essential oil and a rag.

Put a couple of drops of lemon oil on crayon or marker spots and wipe it away. Viola! It is gone! I have used this trick on walls, furniture and even clothes.

6. NATURAL CAR FRESHENER

Put a couple of drops of essential oil on a wooden clothespin and clip it on your car vents. As the air flows out, it will disperse the essential oil aroma into the car.

You can also put a drop or two straight into the vents or under your car seats.

7. GREASE REMOVER

Lemon essential oil can be used to naturally cut grease and grime from clothes, furniture, and dishes. Add a couple of drops to the area of concern, let it sit, and wipe away with a clean cloth.

8. MUSTY LAUNDRY

Have you ever forgot about a load of laundry in the washer and when you finally remembered, it already had a musty smell? Tea tree essential oil can take care of this! Grab a sock or towel and add a few drops of tea tree oil to it and then throw it into the dryer with the wet clothes. Run the cycle and your clothes will come out smelling fresh.

If you have dryer balls you can add the tea tree to the dryer balls.

9. STICKER REMOVER

If you have kids, you have most likely needed to remove a sticker from a car window or furniture at some point. Lemon essential oil can make this job easy. Put a couple of drops of lemon oil straight on the sticker or clean cloth and wipe away. It will take the sticky residue right off!

You can use this trick to remove labels, stickers off of furniture, most sticky residues, and you can use it to remove the labels off of old essential oil bottles.

10. SPOT TREATMENT

I use my essential oils to make a DIY face wash and homemade face moisturizer, but in a pinch, you can skip the DIYing and grab the tea tree oil. Put a drop of tea tree essential oil on blemishes and skin imperfections to lessen the appearance.

I do this without diluting, but you may want to dilute the oil with a carrier oil before applying.

11. FRESHENER HAIR

Add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to a spray bottle of water and mist your hair: Blow-dry and style. You can make a simple DIY dry shampoo with arrowroot powder, cocoa powder, and lavender oil. Dab onto the roots, brush hair, and style.

Other oils to try: rosemary, peppermint, cedarwood, or lemongrass.

12. NAIL POLISH REMOVER

Avoid the chemicals and drying effects of nail polish by using lemongrass essential oil instead. Add a couple of drops of lemongrass onto a cotton ball and rub on the nail. Or put a drop of lemongrass straight on the nail and wipe clean with a cloth.

Essential oils can be used to promote nail growth and healthy cuticles. Get my healthy nail roller bottle recipe, or nail polish remover recipe.

13. TOILET PAPER ROLL DIFFUSER

To keep your bathroom smelling fresh, try out this simple essential oil hack. Put a couple of drops of oil on the inside of the cardboard on the toilet paper roll.

You can also put a couple of drops of oil in the bottom of the bathroom trashcan, on the bath mats, and on towels.

14. BOOST ENERGY

Add one drop of each peppermint, lemon, and rosemary in the palm of your hand. Rub together and cuff over the nose and inhale. These oils will give you a natural energy boost and promote concentration.

15. GET RID OF SPIDERS

If you have a spider problem in your house, you can break out the peppermint oil. Spiders, and most other bugs, hate the smell of peppermint. Put a few drops on cotton balls and place them in corners and under furniture to keep spiders out.

You can also make a spray with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil in a 4-ounce glass spray bottle. Shake well and mist around window sills and door frames.

16. DIY DIFFUSER

If you don’t have a diffuser, you can make your own salt diffuser or even a DIY reed diffuser. Or you can get the benefits of aromatherapy by putting a couple of drops of essential oils on your clothes, a scarf, or a sweater.

Add a couple of drops of essential oils on a tissue and set it on your desk for a makeshift diffuser.

Don’t want to make a diffuser? Check out the diffuser I use.

17. FRESHEN SHOES

Add a couple of drops of essential oils to your shoes to help freshen them. The best essential oils to cover up smelly shoes are lemon, rosemary, cilantro, Siberian fir, and tea tree.

18. NO PAIN HAIR TIE REMOVAL

Do you know how hard it is to get those tiny rubber bands out of hair? My daughter absolutely hates when I try to pull those things out. I have found that a little bit of lavender oil makes this easy!

Put a couple of drops of lavender oil on your fingers, rub gently on the band, and watch it pop right off!

Do you have any essential oil hacks that you use? Share in the comments below! And don’t forget to register for my FREE essential oil masterclass!