Essential Oils: Laundry!

Friends – Today we introduce you to our newest contributor, Amy White (by the way, we promise we just coincidentally have a lot of writers named Amy around here – it’s not a requirement!  ). Amy is going to share with us all of the benefits of essential oils and even give you an opportunity to try some yourself. Read on for the multitude of uses of essential oils.

Add A Boost to Your Homemade Laundry Detergent with Essential Oils

Why didn’t I do this years ago?! Ok, well, I know why. I was fooled into thinking I needed my life to smell like a chemical induced “spring rain”. But making your own laundry detergent is super easy! I’ve tried several recipes and this one seems to work best for keeping clothes smelling fresh and actually taking out stains.

Here’s the thing…. The essential oils won’t actually add a huge boost of scent to your laundry when used in your detergent. Bummer. I know, right? But let me explain. You will be so happy when you throw your nasty, dingy smelling towels in the wash and they come out smelling like, um, clean! The essential oils will help give a little fragrance but by the time they make it through a very warm wash it doesn’t stick around. HOWEVER, they will help tremendously with taking out foul odors!!! I mean, just wait, you will love me!

1  Box Borax (76 oz)- found in cleaning aisle

1  Box Washing Soda (55 oz)- found in cleaning aisle

2  Bars Fels Naptha or Pure Castille Soap- usually found on bottom shelf of cleaning

     aisle…collecting dust. Poor lonely soap.

4   Cups OxiClean (off brand is fine, as seen in pictures)

20-30 Drops Essential oils- Options for extra stink removing/purifying: Peppermint,

     Lemon, Purification (my absolute favorite blend by Young Living for cleaning)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Shred Fels-Naptha in a food processor. You can use a box grater if needed but it takes a lot more time and patience. This soap dissolves really well so don’t worry about it being too finely shredded/grated.

2. In a small dish mix essential oils with ½ cup Washing Soda. This allows the oils to be distributed more evenly when added to the full batch.

3. Combine and mix all ingredients in a large bucket or bowl then add to individual containers for easy use.

USE: You only need 1-2 tbs per use! I use 1 tbs about 75% of the time and 2 tbs if the kids have been especially adventurous that day.

*Hint: Still want extra smelly goodness on your clothes? Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil to a towel and throw in the dryer with your laundry. Best on low heat setting. Easy peasy.

           If you are dealing with some extra stale laundry you can add 2 drops of essential oils to the wash in addition to the detergent.

Can this recipe be used with HE washers? I myself, do not own one, but the question comes up a lot. Because this is a low sud (or no sud, really) recipe, then the surveys say “yes” you can!

Email- amyablelife@outlook.com

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Personal Page- http://theoilery.net/team-members/amy-white/