What are the best essential oils for washing clothes?

Essential oils are a real boon for both body and soul. Their beneficial properties are not limited to this alone. Did you know that essential oils can also be used for washing clothes? They possess antimicrobial, antifungal and antiseptic properties, making them ideal for preparing a homemade disinfectant. Which essential oil is best for laundry? We’ve put together a special ranking highlighting the benefits of the most interesting essential oils for laundry.

Essential oils for washing clothes – which ones are worth knowing about?

We probably know that, thanks to their aromatic properties, essential oils have a strong scent that captivates with its health-promoting qualities. An interesting fact is that they can also be used to create homemade laundry disinfectants. Due to their chemical composition, some oils are ideal for washing clothes.

Before we look at each of the best essential oils for the washing machine, let’s focus on their characteristics. We know that most of them have antimicrobial and antifungal properties. All of them, in turn, possess antiseptic properties. This means that almost every essential oil is ideal for laundry. The key ingredient that makes them so effective against fungi and bacteria is phenol. Phenol is a weak acid, soluble in water and known for its sweet aroma. A suitable essential oil for laundry should have the following properties:

• Antiseptic
• Antimicrobial
• Antifungal
• Deodorising
• Removes stains and dirt from clothing
• A long-lasting fragrance on clothes

So, when choosing an essential oil for washing your clothes, it’s worth focusing on these aspects, as well as selecting your favourite scent. Let’s take a look, then, at which essential oils are best for the washing machine.

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is an excellent addition to homemade laundry disinfectants. The oil has antibacterial properties and a lovely, refreshing aroma. It blends well with other essential oils, such as lemon, eucalyptus and lavender.

How do you use the oil in the washing machine? Simply add up to 5 drops of the oil directly to the wash. Then simply switch on the washing machine and enjoy the refreshing scent of your clothes! Peppermint essential oil will give your clothes a fresh, minty aroma that helps to calm your mood whilst promoting general well-being.

Lemon

The scent of lemon is loved by millions of people. This is due to the abundance of compounds such as linalool and limonene, extracted directly from lemon peel. The oil has antibacterial and disinfectant properties, making it suitable for washing dark, light and coloured clothes.

To use the oil, simply add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil to the washing machine. Then just add your detergent and switch the machine on. The components of lemon oil will give your clothes a sweet, citrusy scent and help lift your spirits.

Tea tree

Tea tree essential oil is extracted from theMelaleucatree native to Australia. It is effective at combating mould and removing musty odours from clothes. Tea tree oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties.

To use tea tree oil when doing the washing, simply add a few drops (3 to 5) of the oil directly onto the clothes in the washing machine. Then just add the detergent and start the machine. Your laundry will have a delicate, fresh scent, and there’ll be no trace of any stains!

What’s more, thanks to its antiseptic properties, the oil blends perfectly with natural cleaning products, including surface cleaners and soaps.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus essential oil is known for its health-promoting properties, such as clearing the upper respiratory tract and imparting a captivating, delicate scent. The clean, fresh scent of eucalyptus oil helps to clear the mind, and using this oil in the wash will help keep your clothes fresh and lift your spirits.

Your clothes will continue to smell wonderfully fresh for a long time. This is all thanks to its high content of antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds.

How do you use the oil in the washing machine? Simply add 5 to 10 drops of the oil to your clothes, add detergent and start the wash. During the wash cycle, the oil’s properties will be absorbed by the fabric thanks to the high temperature. Eucalyptus oil is also a powerful deodoriser and will effectively combat unpleasant odours.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil owes its popularity to its incredible scent, which is unlike any other. If you want to add a touch of relaxation to your clothes, it’s worth keeping some in your handy stash of laundry disinfectants.

The oil is known for its relaxing and calming properties. It can boost the immune system and help prevent the spread of illnesses, as well as seasonal ailments such as a runny nose or a cough. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, lavender oil can effectively disinfect clothes.

To make the most of lavender oil’s disinfecting properties, simply add 5 to 10 drops of the oil to your wash, then top up with washing powder. As well as having a pleasant lavender scent, the finished laundry will repel moths and other insects that like to make their home in our wardrobes.

Thyme

If you’re looking for an essential oil that, in addition to its fresh scent and antiseptic properties, can also effectively clean clothes in the washing machine, thyme essential oil is an extremely interesting option. Thyme essential oil has been used since ancient times to support the immune system, as well as to disinfect and clean items of clothing stained or soiled.

Thyme essential oil is also rich in antimicrobial compounds. These properties help to effectively kill germs on clothes whilst they are being washed. Simply add 10 to 15 drops of the oil to the laundry, pour in the detergent and start the machine. Your laundry will come out fresh, clean and, most importantly, wonderfully fragrant.

Geranium

The incredible floral scent of geranium essential oil can be an excellent remedy for emotional support. Furthermore, this oil can help improve the circulatory system and stimulate the adrenal glands to function properly.

Geranium essential oil is very uplifting and also has a calming effect. Its high content of antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic compounds makes it suitable for use in household laundry. Simply add 3 to 5 drops of the oil to your wash and top up with detergent. Your washed clothes will have a relaxing and soothing scent.

Ranking of the best essential oils for laundry – remember to consider your own preferences

There are various essential oils that are extremely useful for laundry. We should also take into account the types of scents we like. For example, if you love citrusnotes, you could try lemon,bergamotorgrapefruitessentialoil. They smell lovely and are excellent at removing grease and unpleasant odours.

When washing bed linen, blankets and towels, on the other hand, you can use relaxing scents such aslavenderoreucalyptus. Thyme essential oil, meanwhile, is ideal for thoroughly removing stains.

When looking for essential oils for laundry, it’s worth ensuring you’re buying pure,naturalessential oils, rather than fragrance oils. The latter, apart from adding a pleasant scent, offer no benefits for your laundry.