Getting Started with Essential Oils for a Fresh-Smelling Home
Essential oils are a great way to keep your home smelling great, but did you know that they can also purify the air? Studies have shown that many essential oils have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. In addition to a properly functioning HVAC system, essential oils are a great supplemental tool to keep your home smelling fresh, especially in small spaces.
Getting Started
What exactly are essential oils? Essential oils are natural extracts distilled from various plants. They’re highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Aromatherapy is one of the most popular uses for essential oils. Whether your goal is to purify the air, relax or fill your home with natural fragrance, each essential oil has its own properties and benefits.
To enjoy the aromatherapy benefits of essential oils, place a few drops of your chosen oil (or oils) with water in an essential oil diffuser. You’ll be amazed by how quickly the scent will spread throughout your home.
With so many essential oils out there, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here’s a quick guide to getting started with 10 of the most popular essential oils.
Bergamot
Bergamot (pronounced berg-ah-mat) has a light, citrusy scent. It’s often used to promote feelings of calm and relaxation.
Frankincense
Frankincense has a warm, spicy smell. It can have a calming, soothing effect and many people use it to de-stress.
Lavender
Lavender is a wildly popular scent, and with good reason. Lavender’s light and delicate floral scent can have a calming effect. Many people use it to de-stress or wind down for sleep.
Lemon
When it comes to purification, lemon is a powerhouse. Not only does the citrusy scent make everything smell fresh and bright, lemon’s antimicrobial properties can help purify the air in your home.
Wild Orange
Wild orange has a very similar, but sweeter, scent profile compared to lemon. Like lemon, it boasts antimicrobial properties and has a fresh, invigorating smell.
Peppermint
Peppermint has a bold, minty smell. It can help you feel more awake and energized as it purifies the air. Not to mention, as an added bonus, it also naturally repels bugs.
Rosemary
Rosemary has a strong, herbaceous and spicy scent. It’s popular for aromatherapy and leaving the air with a fresh, clean smell.
Spearmint
Spearmint is another great choice to help you feel awake and energized. It has a similar smell to peppermint but is a bit sweeter.
Vetiver
Vetiver (pronounced veh-tee-ver) has a woodsy, but sweet, scent. It’s great to diffuse when you want to feel calmer and more grounded.
Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-ylang (pronounced lang lang) is sweet and spicy, with light floral notes. Many use it to create a calm and soothing atmosphere.
Creating Essential Oil Blends
Combining different essential oils is an effective way to find the perfect scent for your mood. Simply add a few drops of each desired oil to your diffuser. Here are a few popular blends:
Fresh and Clean:
- 3 Drops Lemon
- 3 Drops Peppermint
Calm:
- 4 Drops Lavender
- 2 Drops Lemon
- 2 Drops Ylang-Ylang
Good Night’s Sleep:
- 3 Drops Lavender
- 3 Drops Frankincense
Experiment with different essential oil combinations to find your favorites.
Using Essential Oil Safely
Because essential oils are highly concentrated, it’s important to use them with care. Limit diffusing to an hour or two at a time, and don’t use an excessive number of drops. Remember, less is more. Breathing in an excessive amount of any fragrance – essential oils included – can irritate your lungs.
It’s also important to be careful which oils you’re using while pregnant, with small children in the home and around pets. Certain oils contain properties that can be harmful, particularly if ingested. Never diffuse oils in a small, enclosed area. Always make sure your pets have a way to exit in case the scent is irritating to them.
If you have questions about using essential oils safely, reach out to your medical provider for guidance.
Keepin’ it Fresh
Essential oils can be a wonderful tool to keep your home smelling clean, but they aren’t a substitute for the real MVP of the air quality in your home: your HVAC unit. Keeping up with HVAC maintenance is a vital part of keeping the air in your home clean.
If you’re worried about the air quality in your home, Barineau Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. From HVAC inspections to annual maintenance, our expert team will ensure your home has the best air quality possible. Give us a call today at 850.580.4029 to lean more.
