15 Clever Essential Oil Hacks You Should Try Out

This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Full Disclosure Here.

Creativeness, spontaneity, and ingenuity are the qualities of every survivalist. The mind of a true self-reliant individual is as sharp as a blade of the greatest warrior. Unlike a knife that gets sharpened by a wet stone, our mind sharpens with daily life trials and challenges that can be as trivial as changing the light bulb.

Each and every one of us can agree that finding a clever solution to a difficult problem is quite fulfilling. But there is nothing like sharing those life lessons, ideas, and hacks with others. If you have not tried using essential oils to your advantage yet, try using them now. These 15 clever essential oil hacks will hopefully make your life much simpler.

15 Clever Essential Oil Hacks

1. Freshen Your Stinky Shoes

Do you dread taking off your shoes when at your friend’s house? Yep, stinky shoes can be quite embarrassing, and for many people suffering from athlete’s foot, they are an insecurity.

In fact, many people deal with this issue; since you do not have to be a genius to make your footwear noticeable to your olfactory system. A single day out and about without socks can give your favorite sneakers distinguishable aroma.

On top of that, shoes and boots made of non-breathable materials are especially prone to retaining moisture and funkiness. But no worries, your trusty hiking boots can be easily freshened with the help of fragrant essential oils.

HACK: Dab your favorite essential oil onto two cotton balls, one drop on each. Place the cotton balls in your shoes and let the aromatic essence do its work. If the smelliness is caused by the athlete’s foot, try using oils that are known for their antifungal properties like lavender, lemongrass, and eucalyptus essential oils.

2. Anti-Spider Spray

Quick scenario: You are forced to spend the night in the rainforest, and you have one day to prepare for your adventure. What would you arm yourself with?

A knife, an ax, or machete?

How about an anti-spider spray? Those sharp blades may help you fight off large predators, but deadliest creatures are often smaller than we think.

If you ever find yourself in such compromising position, or if you would simply like to keep creepy crawlies out of your house, try using this anti-spider spray for your defense.

HACK: Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Add few drops of dishwashing liquid to the bottle to emulsify ingredients. Shake well and use the spray around your house, especially around nooks and crannies where spider may be coming in. Feel free to use this spray while on your camping trip as well.

3. Remove Grease Stains

If you love cooking or spending time in the garage repairing your bike you have probably fallen victim to a grease stain at least once or twice. More often than not, we end up throwing our stained clothes away because chemical detergents that we used nowadays are not good enough.

HACK: Next time you see that single drop of olive oil hit your sleeve, do not panic. Instead, quickly put few drops of lemon essential oil directly on the stain and give your shirt a wash. When washed, check if the stain is still there. If the grease spot is stubborn, repeat the process once more. Few drops of lemon oil added to your soap can help you get rid of greasy residue on your hands as well.

4. DIY Car Diffuser

If you spend a lot of time on the road, you probably know how stuffy the air in the car can get. Turning on the AC may make things a bit better, but we all know that funkiness of a hot and sweaty summer day loves to linger around. If you cannot stand the smell of those car tree air fresheners, you should try refreshing your vehicle with essential oils.

HACK: Take a wooden clothespin and dab few drops of your favorite essential oil on the very end. Clip the clothespin to your car’s vent. Alternatively, you can dab few drops of oil on a cotton pad, and pin it to the vent with a plastic clothespin or paperclip.

The air blowing out of the vent will disperse a pleasant aroma throughout your car. It is recommended that your use eucalyptus and chamomile essential oils during flu season. And, if you spend long nights on the road, make sure you do not use essential oils that promote sleep!

5. Natural Mosquito Repellent

When we think about the most dangerous animals of the planet Earth, we usually think about sharks, lions, and crocodiles. But to many people’s surprise, mosquitoes are the biggest killers of them all. According to the World Health Organization, about 725,000 people die each year because of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus, and yellow fever.

Just because these diseases are prevalent in places where you do not live (tropical climates of Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America) that does not mean that you should be welcoming towards your local mosquitoes. You should always protect yourself, especially if you live in tropical and subtropical climate.

HACK: Keep mosquitoes at bay by diffusing a blend of tea tree, citronella, and lavender essential oils in your diffuser. The oil ratio should be 1:1:1. Alternatively, you can mix this blend of oils and a couple of drops of lemongrass and eucalyptus with fractionated coconut oil to create a mosquito repelling balm. Apply the balm on your skin whenever you are camping or exploring your local terrain.

6. Scent Your Lotion

The body lotion is a necessity for people with dry skin, especially during colder months. Finding a skincare product that works for your skin type and has pleasant smell is like finding a needle in a haystack. More often than not, conventional drugstore lotions are scented with obnoxiously strong fragrance oils.

If you are sensitive to these smells or if you would like to limit your exposure to chemicals, try making your own naturally scented skincare product.

HACK: All you have to do is buy an unscented body lotion that does the job, and add your favorite blend of essential oils to it. Try using essential oils known for their anti-aging effects, such as rose, geranium, frankincense, and myrrh. If you have eczema, try using anti-inflammatory lavender, thyme, and eucalyptus essential oils.

7. DIY Moth Balls

If you own clothes made of wool then you are probably already familiar with cloth moths. Larvae of clothing moth Tineola bisselliella love to nibble on textiles of animal origin, especially wool and silk. Clothes made of natural fibers are not cheap and it is completely reasonable of us to protect them. The typical solution to your pest problem would be buying mothballs; however, they are made of chemicals that have been a topic of concern for quite some time now.

HACK: Essential oils can be a safe, natural solution to your moth problem. Add few drops of lavender essential oil on a handful of cotton balls. Place them in your closet and drawers where you keep your wool clothing. Moths cannot stand the smell of cinnamon, oregano, and cedarwood essential oils as well.

8. Clean Your Microwave Oven

A microwave is a handy apparatus that makes our lives much simpler. While your microwave may look sparkling clean on the outside, have your checked its conditions on the inside? Reheating spaghetti, pizza, and other greasy leftovers will leave the interior of your unit looking and smelling funky. If you do not know how to go about cleaning your microwave, just follow this quick hack.

HACK: Pour water and four drops of lemon essential oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Put the bowl in your microwave and set it on high for 5 minutes. Essential oil vapor and water steam will loosen any sticky, grimy bits from the interior. When done, safely discard what is left in the bowl and wipe down the interior of your microwave with a damp kitchen rag.

9. Get Sunburn Relief

Soaking up the sunrays surely benefits our physical and mental state but spending hours in the blazing sun can seriously damage our skin. Once our natural defense barrier is compromised, risks of getting infections and falling sick drastically increase.

For that reason, it is recommended that you always protect yourself with sunscreen. However, if you are ever forced to spend long hours outside without any sun protection, let’s say due to a natural disaster, the least you can do is treat your sunburns once you have found your shelter.

HACK: Mix 3 drops of peppermint essential oil, 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel, and a cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the remedy on your sunburns. Peppermint essential oil is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that will provide a cooling sensation to your skin. Aloe vera gel will help your dermis stay moisturized and nourished.

10. Disinfect Your Trash Cans

Bacteria and fungi love to thrive in trash cans. Not washing your hands after taking out the trash could expose you to salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. For that very reason, it is important to keep your indoor and outdoor bins as hygienic as possible. An unpleasant garbage smell should let you know that your trash can harbors some serious microflora.

HACK: Create your own trash can disinfecting spay by mixing 2 cups of water, 5 drops of tea tree and 5 drops of lemon essential oil in a glass spray bottle. Use this solution to disinfect the entire surface of your trash can.

You can take cleanliness to the next levels by placing a cotton ball enriched with both essential oils at the bottom of your trash can. The aromatic cotton ball will keep your trash cans smelling fresh and clean. You can use this cotton ball hack on your camping pop-up trash cans as well.

11. Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is an essential physiological function that keeps us healthy and going. A good night’s sleep is the greatest tool a survivalist can have. Well rested body is stronger and more resistant while well-rested mind thinks clearer.

Despite all that, we all know that drifting into sweet dreams can be difficult at times. Essential oils can help you aid your sleeplessness whenever the stress and thoughts get the best of you.

HACK: Lavender essential oil is known for having calming effects on the human body. Dab a couple of drops of lavender essential oil on gauze and place it inside your pillowcase. The mild lavender aroma will help you relax and fall asleep. Alternatively, you can add a couple of drops of lavender oil to the rinse cycle next time you are washing your sheets.

12. Boost Your Energy Levels

Let’s face it, every once in a while, our batteries run low. Lack of sleep, busy work schedule, stress, and poor diet are the reasons why we feel sluggish at times. Eliminating the causative stressor from our lives would be the best solution, but let’s not kid ourselves, downing coffee is much easier. So, next time you catch yourself reaching for that third dose of caffeine, try giving energizing essential oils a try!

HACK: Mix same amounts of lemon and peppermint essential oil in a roller bottle or an old essential oil bottle. Inhale the rich aroma straight from the container whenever your energy levels drop low.

Stimulating oil essence will influence your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels to help you get through the day. Make this pick-me-up remedy a part of your survival kit, because you never know when you will need that extra nudge.

13. Vacuum Cleaner and Air Freshener in One

Evers since their invention, vacuum cleaners have been making our lives much more convenient. With the help of the air pump, vacuum cleaners effectively pick up crumbs and little bits and pieces from the floor. But wouldn’t it be nice if your hoover could act as an air freshener as well?

Well, it is possible.

You can bring your regular cleaning routine to the next level with a little bit of improvisation.

HACK: Simply put few drops of your favorite essential oil blend on two cotton balls. Place soaked cotton balls in the vacuum bag before you start your cleaning session. Aromatic vacuum air will pleasantly scent your interior. This way, your home will look and smell sparkling clean.

14. Clear Your Congestion

Every self-reliant individual should know a couple of home remedies for treating the symptoms of common cold. Having a jar of honey, fresh ginger, and chamomile tea in your pantry during flu season is definitely recommended.

But, have you ever tried clearing your stuffy nose with essential oils? Well, this old remedy can assist you on your way to recovery the same as an over-the-counter nasal spray would.

HACK: Add few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to hot water that you have just boiled. Lean over the bowl and cover your head with a towel to create a miniature sauna. Close your eyes and inhale eucalyptus vapor for roughly 10 minutes. If the steam is too hot slightly move your head away from the bowl. Eucalyptus essential oil should open up your nasal passages and help you release mucus.

15. Give Your Laundry Custom Smell

Wool dryer balls are a great natural alternative to the conventional dryer sheets. They do not only cut the drying time in half but they are also much safer for use, as many fabric softeners nowadays cause skin irritations such as dermatitis.

Arguably, the only drawback of wool dryer balls could be their lack of “mountain breeze” smell. Remember, you can always enhance the smell of your freshly washed clothes with your own unique essential oil blend.

HACK: Dab 2-4 drops of geranium essential oil onto your wool ball before you start your dryer cycle. Geranium essential oil will give your laundry a pleasant floral smell. Rose and lavender essential oils provide different but just as lovely botanical tones. If you like your clothes smelling crisp, try using lemongrass or eucalyptus essential oils.

If you enjoyed this article, consider following our Facebook page.