10 Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Your Laundry

Essential oils can be used in your laundry as a natural alternative to fabric softener. They provide long-lasting fragrance with none of the harsh chemicals found in commercial laundry products. There are so many reasons to use them in your laundry and here are our top 10:

1. Kind on Skin

Unlike synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals found in conventional laundry products, essential oils are gentle on the skin. If you or your loved ones have skin conditions or sensitive skin, essential oils are a great choice to add into your laundry. 

The best types of essential oil for your skin include lavender, rose geranium and clary sage, but there are so many more.

2. Long Lasting Fragrance

One of the most noticeable effects of using essential oils in your laundry is definitely the wonderful smells they produce. With a wide variety of essential oils to choose from, you have the flexibility to create custom scent combinations tailored to your preferences, allowing you to personalise your laundry experience.Once you’ve chosen your perfect mix, their natural fragrances will stay on your laundry long after the wash cycle ends, leaving your clothes smelling fresh for weeks to come.

3. Anti-Microbial Properties

Essential oils possess natural antimicrobial properties that help eliminate bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms from your clothes, ensuring a hygienic wash.

4. Harsh-Chemical Free

Conventional cleaning products contain harsh-chemicals that can harm wildlife, waterways and our bodies. Many also contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can interfere with hormone function, which can lead to serious hormone health problems.

By using essential oils in your laundry, you can avoid these harsh-chemicals and promote a healthier and eco-friendly laundry routine.

5. Kinder to the Environment

By opting for essential oils in your laundry instead of conventional fabric softeners, you are making a more environmentally conscious choice. Essential oils are biodegradable and less harmful to aquatic life than synthetic fragrances and chemicals commonly found in commercial laundry products.

6. Enhanced Fabric Softness

Adding essential oils to your laundry enhances fabric softness naturally, reducing the need for synthetic fabric softeners that can leave behind residue and irritate sensitive skin. Unlike synthetic alternatives, essential oils coat fabric fibres gently, leaving clothes luxuriously soft without filmy buildup. This process also helps reduce static cling, making clothes more comfortable to wear and fold.

7. Vegan and Cruelty-Free

For those who prioritise ethical consumerism, essential oils offer a cruelty-free alternative to animal-derived ingredients often found in traditional laundry products. Even ‘vegan’ labelled products can still be tested on animals, because it is not technically made from animal products, but in my opinion any product that causes harm to animals is not vegan.

For peace of mind that you’re making the most ethical choice possible with your laundry, I feel a combination of essential oils and Soap Berries (or soap nuts) are the answer. (Discover more about Soap Berries here.)

8. Stain-Removing Properties

Certain essential oils, such as lemon and orange oil, boast natural stain-fighting abilities, helping to tackle tough stains without the need for harsh chemicals or pre-treatments.

9. Deodorising

As well as adding lovely scents to your clothes, Essential oils work effectively to neutralise unpleasant ones too. Whether it's from sweat, food, or musty towels, leaving your laundry smelling clean and revitalised. Eucalyptus essential oil works really well for this as well as citrus essential oils and tea tree.

10. Mental Health

The aromatic compounds in essential oils can have a profound impact on mental well-being, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and uplifting mood, transforming the act of doing laundry into a therapeutic ritual. The scents left on your laundry after a wash can also be a mood-lifter when getting dressed or changing your bedding.