Essential Oil Chart for Laundry

In her book "The Naturally Clean Home," Karyn Siegel-Maier has a great list of suggested essential oils for our homemade laundry detergents ~ gel or dry. I usually use 30 drops of Lavender per gallon b/c it is "just enough" fragrance & it is antibacterial.

Here's her list of suggested essential oils with their benefits:

~Cedar: adds a clean, woodsy scent
~Chamomile: soothing
~Eucalyptus: excellent for colds & sinus trouble
~Lavender: relaxing & antibacterial
~Lemon: stimulating, helps whiten laundry
~Peppermint: good for colds & sinus trouble
~Rose geranium: adds a romantic scent
~Rosemary: calming - but often stimulating on its own [**NOT suitable for wool, silk or satin]
~Sweet orange: helps remove stains & whiten laundry
~Tea tree: antibacterial & antifungal

Here's an idea: make the laundry detergent, as usual, but do not add the essential oil & then, for EACH load, add your desired scent to the softener dispenser of your washing machine. This would be especially good for adding eucalyptus or peppermint for colds or for adding chamomile or lavender for babies or someone undergoing some sort of stress.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><