Laundry detergents can have overwhelming fragrances. Whether you find detergent scents too artificial or there’s a particular scent you love, you might wonder if you can add your own scents to clothes.
Essential oils provide several pleasant scents in addition to their therapeutic effects. Adding your own can make your laundry fragrance tailored to your preferences. Learn if you can add essential oils to laundry and the benefits of doing so.
Why Use Essential Oils in Your Laundry?
Adding essential oils to laundry can provide several benefits. They are natural compounds extracted from plants and can have antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties, further cleaning clothes.
Essential oils also add a natural fragrance to clothing, substituting scented laundry detergents, which can be irritating to the skin. If you’re sensitive to scents in traditional laundry detergents, switching to a fragrance-free detergent and adding oils can improve your laundry experience.
Essential oils also offer benefits through aromatherapy. As you inhale the scents, they provide therapeutic results such as increased energy levels and decreased stress.
Are Essential Oils Safe to Add to Laundry?
There are several things to consider when adding essential oils to laundry, and safety is a major consideration. These liquids are generally safe as long as there are no allergies involved, but always check the full ingredients list for any hidden nasties. Before adding your desired oils to laundry, conduct a patch test on yourself and every family member who can come in contact with the laundry.
Dilute the essential oil by mixing it with a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond. Place a small amount of the diluted oil onto a clean skin area, then apply a bandage. If you experience any irritation, remove the bandage and wash the skin with mild soap and water. If you don’t experience a reaction for at least 24 hours, the oil should be suitable for use.
It’s important to consider potential damage to clothing and appliances. Making your own detergent could ruin your clothes, so it’s reasonable to be wary about adding oils into the mix. Essential oils typically won’t damage fabrics as long as they’re diluted. If you accidentally spill some oil onto your fabrics, wash them out with dish soap and warm water.
Essential oils are also thought to stain clothing. However, many are clear or have very light color pigments. Darker ones may stain fabrics if used improperly. Diluting oils and adding the appropriate amount to laundry reduces the risk of staining.
What Are the Best Essential Oils to Add to Laundry?
Several essential oils are available on the market, but not all of them are suited to laundry. Certain ones are dark and can stain clothing, while others offer a scent you may not want to follow you everywhere. The options below are suitable for garments and deliver a range of benefits.
Lavender
Lavender is a widely used essential oil, and for good reason. The gentle fragrance adds a comforting feel to clothes and provides several therapeutic aspects. It reduces stress levels, improves sleep quality, and promotes relaxation.
Lemon
Lemon is a familiar smell when it comes to laundry. The bright, citrusy scent helps remove odors from clothing and replaces them with a natural freshness. Lemon also assists in stain removal. It can remove grease and grime by simply adding a few drops to laundry detergent. Lemon can act as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent, making it ideal for sanitizing laundry.
Rosemary
Rosemary adds a subtle herbaceous scent to your wardrobe. The slightly woody fragrance is persistent enough to linger on clothes; however, rosemary can also relax the senses and lower stress levels, and because it carries practically no color, there’s no staining risk.
It also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making it ideal for killing germs on clothes.
Peppermint
Peppermint carries a very memorable scent. The sharp kick provided by this oil can have your clothes smelling cool and minty for days. Peppermint oils are colorless and thin in consistency, making them the perfect laundry companion. You won’t have to worry about staining, and the invigorating scent should overpower unpleasant odors.
Peppermint essential oil also has antibacterial and therapeutic properties. It increases alertness and memory, and can lift moods, making it the ideal start to your day.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has a powerful aroma that can instantly awaken the senses. Its fresh, clean scent is reminiscent of a cool, misty forest. When added to laundry, the minty scent can remove odors and give clothes a fresh smell.
Eucalyptus also contains antimicrobial properties. It’s an antiseptic and antibacterial agent, making it ideal for disinfecting clothes and preventing bacterial infections.
How to Add Essential Oils to Your Laundry
Essential oils can be added to the washing or drying cycle. For a washing cycle, they must be diluted with laundry detergent. For a drying cycle, add 2-3 drops to dryer balls and add them during the cool-down cycle. These liquids are concentrated and very potent, so a little goes a long way.
Adding Essential Oils to Detergent
To add essential oils to laundry detergent, pour the appropriate amount of detergent for a regular load, then add 4-5 drops of the oil. Starting with a small amount is essential to ensure you don’t overwhelm your nose. If you feel your laundry doesn’t carry enough of the scent, add a few more drops.
Remember to adjust the amount of oil added based on the load size. Using the same amount of oil for a small load can cause skin irritation or headaches, among other effects.
Essential Oils to Avoid in Laundry
Highly concentrated essential oils, such as cinnamon, clove, cedar, pine, bergamot, and oregano, are not recommended for laundry because they can stain your favorite clothes. The best practice is to avoid ones that aren’t completely colorless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Mix Essential Oils With Laundry Detergent?
Yes, essential oils can be mixed with laundry detergent. They should be mixed with detergent to dilute the oils. Adding concentrated oils directly to clothing can stain or add an overpowering fragrance.
Is It Okay to Put Essential Oils in the Washing Machine?
Yes, it’s okay to put essential oils in the washing machine. However, they should always be diluted in laundry detergent beforehand.
How Many Drops of Essential Oil Should I Put in Laundry?
Only 3-5 drops should be used in laundry. Too many can overwhelm your senses, so it’s best to test it out with a few, then add more during later washes if the scent isn’t strong enough. You have the freedom to play around with quantities to find the perfect amount.
Will Essential Oils Damage My Washing Machine?
Essential oils can damage your washing machine if used improperly. Always dilute them and only add a few drops to avoid degrading your washer’s seals or clogging the drainage system.
Essential Oils Personalize Laundry Fragrance
Adding essential oils to laundry can change the scent profile of your wash, giving you the flexibility to tailor aromas to your preferences. The right oil can complement your laundry routine, whether you choose lavender for relaxation, lemon for freshness, or eucalyptus for a squeaky-clean scent.
Freddie laundry detergent sheets are available without added fragrance, making it easy to add your favorite essential oils. Our sheets are plastic jug-free and are packaged in recyclable cardboard, offering a low-waste laundry solution that’s convenient for home and travel.
