What Essential Oil Can I Put in My Laundry to Make It Smell Better?

Essential oils are aromatic compounds typically distilled from herbs, fruits and flowers. Adding an essential oil to your clothes dryer will give your laundry a pleasant smell and may even help to keep household insects away. If you want a fresh, clean scent, try using lavender, lemon, pennyroyal or bergamot. If you prefer a floral scent, try geranium, jasmine or rose. For an herbal scent, try rosemary or sage. Remember, though, that essential oils are highly concentrated and potentially toxic. Two or three drops will suffice for a single load of laundry. Don’t be misled by labels stating that these are “natural” or “healing” products; essential oils are very potent chemicals and should be used with care.

Things You'll Need

• Old washcloth or T-shirt
• Scissors

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Cut a 4-inch square from an old washcloth or T-shirt.

   • 2

     Sprinkle the cloth square with two or three drops of your preferred essential oil.

   • 3

     Add the scented cloth to your dryer with a load of wet clothes. Tumble your clothes dry normally.

   • 4

     Retrieve the scented cloth for reuse.