Freshen Your Stinky Shoes
Do you dread taking off your shoes when at your friend’s house? Yep, stinky shoes can be quite embarrassing, and for many people suffering from athlete’s foot, they are an insecurity.
In fact, many people deal with this issue; since you do not have to be a genius to make your footwear noticeable to your olfactory system. A single day out and about without socks can give your favorite sneakers distinguishable aroma.
On top of that, shoes and boots made of non-breathable materials are especially prone to retaining moisture and funkiness. But no worries, your trusty hiking boots can be easily freshened with the help of fragrant essential oils.
HACK: Dab your favorite essential oil onto two cotton balls, one drop on each. Place the cotton balls in your shoes and let the aromatic essence do its work. If the smelliness is caused by the athlete’s foot, try using oils that are known for their antifungal properties like lavender, lemongrass, and eucalyptus essential oils.
Perfumed Pillows
Perfumed pillows help you sleep calmly and, the oil and herbs can stimulate or calm your senses.
Ingredients:
- Square shaped cloth
- Herbs ( your choice )
- Essential oil ( your choice)
Directions: Make a pillow with any material, remember to leave one side open. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the dried herbs and place them inside the pillow and sew the opening.
You can effortlessly freshen up your pillows by a few drops of oil on the outside.
Anti-Spider Spray
If you ever find yourself in such compromising position, or if you would simply like to keep creepy crawlies out of your house, try using this anti-spider spray for your defense.
HACK: Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Add few drops of dishwashing liquid to the bottle to emulsify ingredients. Shake well and use the spray around your house, especially around nooks and crannies where spider may be coming in. Feel free to use this spray while on your camping trip as well.
Remove Cigarette Smoke Odors
Fun fact about the cigarette odors is that they stick to your clothes until wash. Now this not healthy or desirable to anyone, therefore we use this essential oil spray to neutralize the odor.
Concoct a mixture of rosemary, eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils in a spray bottle.
Remove Grease Stains
If you love cooking or spending time in the garage repairing your bike you have probably fallen victim to a grease stain at least once or twice. More often than not, we end up throwing our stained clothes away because chemical detergents that we used nowadays are not good enough.
HACK: Next time you see that single drop of olive oil hit your sleeve, do not panic. Instead, quickly put few drops of lemon essential oil directly on the stain and give your shirt a wash. When washed, check if the stain is still there. If the grease spot is stubborn, repeat the process once more. Few drops of lemon oil added to your soap can help you get rid of greasy residue on your hands as well.
Natural Mosquito Repellent
When we think about the most dangerous animals of the planet Earth, we usually think about sharks, lions, and crocodiles. But to many people’s surprise, mosquitoes are the biggest killers of them all. According to the World Health Organization, about 725,000 people die each year because of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus, and yellow fever.
Just because these diseases are prevalent in places where you do not live (tropical climates of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America) that does not mean that you should be welcoming towards your local mosquitoes. You should always protect yourself, especially if you live in tropical and subtropical climate.
HACK: Keep mosquitoes at bay by diffusing a blend of tea tree, citronella, and lavender essential oils in your diffuser. The oil ratio should be 1:1:1. Alternatively, you can mix this blend of oils and a couple of drops of lemongrass and eucalyptus with fractionated coconut oil to create a mosquito repelling balm. Apply the balm on your skin whenever you are camping or exploring your local terrain.
Scent Your Lotion
The body lotion is a necessity for people with dry skin, especially during colder months. Finding a skincare product that works for your skin type and has pleasant smell is like finding a needle in a haystack. More often than not, conventional drugstore lotions are scented with obnoxiously strong fragrance oils.
If you are sensitive to these smells or if you would like to limit your exposure to chemicals, try making your own naturally scented skincare product.
HACK: All you have to do is buy an unscented body lotion that does the job, and add your favorite blend of essential oils to it. Try using essential oils known for their anti-aging effects, such as rose, geranium, frankincense, and myrrh. If you have eczema, try using anti-inflammatory lavender, thyme, and eucalyptus essential oils.
Clean Your Microwave Oven
A microwave is a handy apparatus that makes our lives much simpler. While your microwave may look sparkling clean on the outside, have your checked its conditions on the inside? Reheating spaghetti, pizza, and other greasy leftovers will leave the interior of your unit looking and smelling funky. If you do not know how to go about cleaning your microwave, just follow this quick hack.
HACK: Pour water and four drops of lemon essential oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Put the bowl in your microwave and set it on high for 5 minutes. Essential oil vapor and water steam will loosen any sticky, grimy bits from the interior. When done, safely discard what is left in the bowl and wipe down the interior of your microwave with a damp kitchen rag.
Disinfect Your Trash Cans
Bacteria and fungi love to thrive in trash cans. Not washing your hands after taking out the trash could expose you to salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. For that very reason,it is important to keep your indoor and outdoor bins as hygienic as possible. An unpleasant garbage smell should let you know that your trash can harbors some serious microflora.
HACK: Create your own trash can disinfecting spay by mixing 2 cups of water, 5 drops of tea tree and 5 drops of lemon essential oil in a glass spray bottle. Use this solution to disinfect the entire surface of your trash can.
You can take cleanliness to the next levels by placing a cotton ball enriched with both essential oils at the bottom of your trash can. The aromatic cotton ball will keep your trash cans smelling fresh and clean. You can use this cotton ball hack on your camping pop-up trash cans as well.
Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is an essential physiological function that keeps us healthy and going. A good night’s sleep is the greatest tool a survivalist can have. Well rested body is stronger and more resistant while well-rested mind thinks clearer.
Despite all that, we all know that drifting into sweet dreams can be difficult at times. Essential oils can help you aid your sleeplessness whenever the stress and thoughts get the best of you.
HACK: Lavender essential oil is known for having calming effects on the human body. Dab a couple of drops of lavender essential oil on gauze and place it inside your pillowcase. The mild lavender aroma will help you relax and fall asleep. Alternatively, you can add a couple of drops of lavender oil to the rinse cycle next time you are washing your sheets.
Vacuum Cleaner and Air Freshener in One
Evers since their invention, vacuum cleaners have been making our lives much more convenient. With the help of the air pump, vacuum cleaners effectively pick up crumbs and little bits and pieces from the floor. But wouldn’t it be nice if your hoover could act as an air freshener as well?
HACK: Simply put few drops of your favorite essential oil blend on two cotton balls. Place soaked cotton balls in the vacuum bag before you start your cleaning session. Aromatic vacuum air will pleasantly scent your interior. This way, your home will look and smell sparkling clean.
Clear Your Congestion
Every self-reliant individual should know a couple of home remedies for treating the symptoms of common cold. Having a jar of honey, fresh ginger, and chamomile tea in your pantry during flu season is definitely recommended.
But, have you ever tried clearing your stuffy nose with essential oils? Well, this old remedy can assist you on your way to recovery the same as an over-the-counter nasal spray would.
HACK: Add few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to hot water that you have just boiled. Lean over the bowl and cover your head with a towel to create a miniature sauna. Close your eyes and inhale eucalyptus vapor for roughly 10 minutes. If the steam is too hot slightly move your head away from the bowl. Eucalyptus essential oil should open up your nasal passages and help you release mucus.
Give Your Laundry Custom Smell
Wool dryer balls are a great natural alternative to the conventional dryer sheets. They do not only cut the drying time in half but they are also much safer for use, as many fabric softeners nowadays cause skin irritations such as dermatitis.
Arguably, the only drawback of wool dryer balls could be their lack of “mountain breeze” smell. Remember, you can always enhance the smell of your freshly washed clothes with your own unique essential oil blend.
