Transform Your Laundry Routine with Essential Oils

Transform Your Laundry Routine with Essential Oils

Embracing homemade laundry care is one of my favorite ways to eliminate toxins from my home. By making the switch, my family no longer has to endure the harsh chemicals found in commercial detergents and the overpowering fragrances of conventional dryer sheets. Crafting your own laundry detergent, dryer sheets (or balls), stain removers, and fabric softeners is not only simple but also budget-friendly. I hope your family enjoys these essential oil laundry recipes and tips as much as mine does.

Top Essential Oils for Laundry

Many essential oils possess remarkable deodorizing, antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and cleaning properties, making them superb additions to your laundry routine. Here are some top choices to consider for your natural laundry recipes:

• Citrus essential oils such as lemon, orange, mandarin, bergamot, and grapefruit are highly effective in removing dirt & grime, deodorizing, and infusing your laundry with a bright, fresh scent.
• Tea tree essential oil not only supports the immune system, but it is also a powerful agent against mold & mildew. It’s particularly useful for cleaning clothes, sheets, and towels after illness. If you’ve ever forgotten a load in the washer and it developed a musty odor, tea tree oil can help eliminate that unpleasant smell.
• Eucalyptus essential oil offers a refreshing scent that is both calming and invigorating. When combined with lavender or spearmint, it not only cleans your clothes but also leaves them smelling like a luxurious spa.
• Lavender essential oil is well-known for its calming properties. Adding some lavender to your laundry, particularly your sheets and blankets, can enhance your sleep quality.
• Chamomile essential oil, similar to lavender, promotes relaxation. It works beautifully on its own or paired with bergamot or another citrus oil for a delightful, uplifting aroma.
• Peppermint or spearmint essential oils are energizing, with a crisp and refreshing scent. These oils blend well with many others listed here, creating a clean and invigorating fragrance. Their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral properties make them a powerful addition to your laundry routine.
• Lemongrass essential oil provides a soothing, spa-like aroma that is comforting and pleasant.
• Rosemary essential oil contributes to disinfection and boosts immunity due to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial capabilities.
• Basil essential oil has a fresh, invigorating scent that pairs excellently with lemon.

Here are a few essential oil combinations to experiment with (see recipes below for more specific quantities of each oil):

• Lemon & Lavender
• Orange, Bergamot, and Lemon
• Lavender, Lime, and a touch of Spearmint
• Lemon, Basil, and Spearmint
• Eucalyptus & Spearmint
• Lemon & Tea Tree
• Lemongrass, Lavender, and Eucalyptus
• Grapefruit, Orange, and Lemon
• Spruce, Tea Tree, and Cypress
• Cypress & Orange
• Rosemary, Peppermint, and Lemon
• Chamomile, Lavender, and Orange

Essential Oil Recipes for Laundry

1. Liquid Laundry Detergent

This simple yet effective liquid laundry detergent will leave your clothes impeccably clean! It is suitable for both high-efficiency (HE) front-loading washing machines and traditional top-loading models. One batch yields enough detergent for 64 loads, making it perfect for daily laundry routines. Click here for the full recipe and printable label.

2. Powder Laundry Soap

Here’s a straightforward recipe for a natural laundry soap powder that truly works. After years of experimentation, I finally created a formula free from harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and dyes. This powder not only cleans effectively but also brightens whites and colors, removes stains, and ensures your clothes are genuinely clean.

3. Grease Stain Remover

Did someone in your family accidentally drop French fries on their shirt or smear olive oil on their sleeve? Whatever the grease stain, it can likely be removed if you act quickly! Apply a few drops of lemon essential oil directly onto the stain, gently rub it in to help dissolve the grease, and toss the item in the wash. After washing, check to see if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process before drying.

4. Dryer Balls (A Natural Alternative to Toxic Dryer Sheets)

Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. If you click on certain links and subsequently purchase a product, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Dryer balls are a fantastic way to shorten drying time and reduce static cling—all without the toxic chemicals found in most dryer sheets. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to each dryer ball, using three for small loads and five to six for larger ones. To combat static, consider these natural solutions:

• Use natural wool dryer balls.
• Some people have success by pinning a safety pin onto the dryer balls, as the metal helps dissipate the electric charge that causes static.
• Remove clothes from the dryer while they are still slightly damp to prevent static buildup.

5. Laundry Fragrance Booster

This recipe is incredibly easy to make:

• Add approximately 30 drops of essential oil for each pound of rock salt (use ice cream salt, not Epsom salt).
• Mix well.
• Store the mixture in a jar with a lid.
• Sprinkle the salt/oil blend onto clothes at the start of the wash cycle—about 1/4 cup for small loads and 1/2 cup for larger ones.

The rock salt softens clothes, while the essential oil imparts a lovely natural scent, devoid of harsh chemicals. This DIY solution is also cost-effective compared to store-bought alternatives.

6. Homemade Fabric Softener

This straightforward, two-ingredient natural fabric softener is a superior alternative to store-bought versions. Here’s why I love it:

• It’s affordable.
• It’s easy to make.
• It cleans clothes better than detergent alone.
• It keeps towels soft, fluffy, and absorbent.
• It helps prevent static cling.
• It smells fantastic!

Click here for the recipe and a free printable label.

7. Solution for Laundry Neglect

Do you sometimes forget your laundry in the wash for too long? I certainly do! Simply add 2-3 drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil to the load and rewash. Voila! Your laundry will smell fresh and be as good as new.

8. Fabric Refresher

Extend the life of your delicate fabrics by not washing them after every wear. Instead, use this easy-to-make natural fabric refresher. A few light sprays will freshen up your garments, allowing them to air dry, ready to wear again. Click here for a linen spray recipe with 21 essential oil variations.

9. DIY Dryer Sheets

To create your own dryer sheets:

• Cut reusable cleaning wipes into 6″ x 6″ squares (or your preferred size).
• Soak the wipes in the fabric softener from the previous recipe.
• Allow the wipes to absorb the softener.

To use:

• Add 1-2 dryer sheets to the dryer with your laundry.
• For reduced static cling, remove clothes from the dryer while they are still slightly damp.
• Place used dryer sheets back in the fabric softener jar to reabsorb the solution for future use.

10. Homemade Bleach Alternative for Whitening Clothes

For a safe and effective bleach alternative, mix the following in a large dark bottle (to protect hydrogen peroxide from light):

• 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide
• 4 cups of distilled water
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• 20 drops of lemon essential oil

To use: Add 1 cup of this homemade bleach alternative to your washer to whiten clothes.

11. Remove Mold & Mildew from HE Washers

Front-loading washing machines can easily harbor mold & mildew in the rubber gasket. Use this powerful natural homemade spray to eliminate these unwanted elements and help prevent their return. Tip: To minimize mold growth, leave the washer door open after each cycle to allow the gasket to dry fully.

12. Dry Cleaning Hack

Have clothes that need refreshing but don’t want to wash them? Place a few drops of lemon essential oil on a clean cotton washcloth and toss it in the dryer with the clothing. Run the dryer on the fluff cycle, and your clothes will feel as fresh as if they just came from the dry cleaner.

Explore More: Here are a few other essential oil posts you might find helpful: homemade shower cleaner, natural dishwasher detergent, homemade “Lysol” disinfecting spray, streak-free window & mirror glass cleaner, kitchen & bathroom cleaning wipes, stainless steel polish, trash can deodorizer tabs, DIY dusting spray, all-surface floor cleaner, toilet cleaning fizzies, and trash can deodorizer spray.

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Please note: The products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical conditions. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. If you click on certain links and subsequently purchase a product, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.