If the essential oils were to drop straight onto your clothes rather than into the water, it could cause a stain if the load has delicate fabrics. If you're using an unscented liquid laundry detergent, just add 20-30 drops to your full container and shake the bottle.
Instructions on how to make a homemade laundry detergent
You can add 30-40 drops of one essential oil, or use a combination to create your own scent.
Simply add five to 10 drops of your chosen essential oil to half a cup of unscented laundry detergent, fabric softener, or white vinegar, and add it to your machine as usual. When using essential oils in your laundry, Morse recommends setting your machine to wash on cold or the “eco warm” setting rather than hot.
Tips for Measuring Essential Oils
There are approximately 20 drops in 1 milliliter. These measurements should be considered estimates.
Add a few drops of essential oil to your unscented laundry detergent before starting your wash. This way, your clothes get cleaned and scented all at once. Just be sure to use oils that are safe for fabrics.
Usually 1 oz bottle of essential oil contains 600 drops.
Between 3 to 5 drops of an essential oil are recommended to use in a diffuser, if the diffuser's size is 100 ml. So 3 drops is a standard amount that can be used as a trial, if you are using an aroma diffuser for the first time.
Citrus oils, oils high in phenols, monoterpenes, ketones, esters, oxides, aldehydes, alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and lactones should not be mixed. Mixing incompatible essential oils can lead to skin irritation, respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions.
Some of the most commonly used carrier oils are grapeseed, jojoba, coconut and apricot kernel oils, as these oils are typically similar in structure to our skin's natural sebums and therefore absorb easily and don't cause clogged pores or breakouts.
Essential oils can last days on fabrics, especially if they are of high quality, applied properly and thoroughly, and the fabric is not then put through rigorous use (such as your gym wear).
In a mixing bowl, add the remaining baking soda and borax mixture, the ground soap, and 25 grams of the fragrance oil of your choice. Mix until fully blended. Place the powder into a container or sealed bag. Your Powdered Laundry Detergent is now ready to use!
Essential oils should be added to a soap recipe at a rate of 5-10 drops per pound of base oil. Because the oils are so concentrated, you don't need as much essential oil when you pour soaps. -Measure essential oils and mix them together to create the desired scent.
Essential oils are flammable. Do not add essential oils to dryer sheets.
In order to add essential oils to laundry, you just need to put a few drops of the essential oil in the washer load. If you do not want to use essential oils, you can use pure extracts instead. When using pure extracts, put four times the amount that you would put if you were using essential oil.
Inhaling essential oils directly or in high concentrations can trigger symptoms in the damaged lung tissues. Individuals with asthma or COPD should consult their healthcare professional before using essential oils and together assess any potential risks and benefits.
Remember: It doesn't take a lot of essential oil to make a big impact. Begin with 2-3 drops of essential oil per dryer ball. This should give your laundry a light, fresh scent. You can add up to 5-6 drops for a stronger aroma, but be careful not to overdo it.
Follow the 30:50:20 ratio when mixing scent notes - 30% top note (3 drops), 50% middle note (5 drops) and 20% base note (2 drops), label each new blend clearly. Essential oil blends perform best after 'resting' for a day or so, this will allow the oils to blend and harmonise fully.
Using Fabric Softener:
Fabric softeners are specially designed to add a soft, pleasant scent to your clothes while reducing static and making them feel cozy. Simply add fabric softener to your laundry during the rinse cycle and let it work its magic.
That's the fantastic thing about having unscented laundry detergent or washing powder, you can add essential oils for any occasion depending on how you feel on the day. For all of these essential oils, only 1-3 drops are needed per load and you'll be on your way to beautiful smelling laundry!