My 12 Favorite Everyday Essential Oil Uses
Wait!! I promise this isn’t another preachy “essential oils will change your life” blog post!!
I was a skeptic at first — and I’m still a realist — but I’ve found quite a few essential oil uses that are actually super helpful in everyday life. So read on for an honest review of essential oils and how I use them throughout my day.
A couple years ago when I heard about essential oils for the first time, this is what initially ran through my mind:
What in the heck are essential oils??
and then…
What a bunch of baloney!
But despite my skepticism, I was still curious…
So I met with a friend that I knew was all about oils and asked her to show me what they do.
The first thing I noticed is that she smelled really good! Whatever my friend was wearing, I wanted some of that! (If you’re wondering, it was “Balance” oil blend by DoTERRA, which is one of my all-time favs!)
First off, my friend didn’t promise me any miracles.
All of the ways she showed me to use essential oils were extremely practical and helped solve everyday problems.
So I decided to sign up as a DoTERRA Wellness Advocate and order a couple to try at home for myself. Worst case scenario — the oils wouldn’t do what was promised, but our family would smell really good! So what was there to lose?
The verdict?
- We did smell really, really good.
- I loved the first two oils I bought so much that I wanted to try more.
- My kids loved the oils as much as I did and were really excited to incorporate them into our daily routine.
- My husband, who was skeptical at first, is a convert and found a couple oils that he uses every day too.
I won’t tell you that essential oils will change your life. (Though they might!)
What I will tell you is that essential oils have a ton of awesome uses that I didn’t expect!
My 12 favorite everyday uses for essential oils
Check back often as I’ll add to this list when I discover new uses that help our family! I’ve added affiliate links for your convenience; disclosure policy available here.
1. Getting smells out of laundry
My husband and I do hot yoga a few times a week and let me tell you, those towels are sweeaaaty! Detergent alone isn’t always enough to knock out odors, so for extra dirty loads I add 4-5 drops of “Purify” essential oil blend from DoTERRA. (Lemon essential oil also works). Afterwards, laundry smells fresh with a hint of citrus. No harsh chemicals required!
2. Post-workout relaxation
You’ve never felt total relaxation until you’ve tried the “Serenity towel,” as I call it. A few months ago I tried a yoga class that incorporated essential oils. At the end of the class, the instructor passed out chilled, damp washcloths that had been spritzed with DoTERRA’s “Serenity” oil blend. PURE BLISS!!
I’ve also used pure lavender essential oil for a similar effect (lavender is the primary ingredient in the Serenity blend).
3. Calm-down bath for kids
My girls love their evening bath. However, sometimes I found that with all the playing and splashing, bath time riled them up more than it calmed them down!
To make bath time a more calming experience, I started adding few drops of essential oils to the bath water. We dubbed this the “relax bath” and it’s now part of our everyday routine. (The girls love it and it really works!) Read my recipe for a calming bath for kids here.
4. Soothe upset tummies
When I get stressed, I feel it most in my stomach. I’ve tried a lot of over-the-counter remedies, but what’s worked the best for me is an essential oil blend in capsule form called “DigestZen.” This blend incorporates ginger, fennel, and coriander to help ease discomfort, gas, and bloating.
I take one capsule before I leave the house to avoid any uncomfortable or embarrassing situations. I also make sure to pack a bottle when I travel, because traveling can mess with even the most stoic of stomachs!
5. Ease congestion and open sinuses instantly
When seasonal allergies hit, it can be pretty miserable trying to fall asleep at night. Over the years I’ve tried both prescription and over-the-counter allergy medicines. For me, they’re either ineffective or if they work, the make me feel jittery, so not ideal for nighttime. However, I finally found a solution that’s simple, safe, and works instantly.
To relieve congestion and open sinuses immediately:
- Apply 1-2 drops peppermint essential oil to palms
- Place palms close to face and inhale deeply 5 times
You can also add 2-3 drops to your bath or shower for a similar effect!
DoTERRA also offers a roll-on “Breathe” blend that I love and is smoother-smelling than pure peppermint oil.
Related: Try our aromatherapy shower melt recipe too! They dissolve in the steam of your shower to help relieve sinus congestion.
6. Boost flavor in recipes
My husband is the chef in our family, and essential oils are one of his “little secrets” to amp up the flavor when cooking. For example, he added a couple drops of lemon essential oil to the batter of this Lemon Curd Layer Cake and it is my new favorite dessert!
Popular essential oils for cooking:
- Lemon
- Lime
- Grapefruit
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
Note: Essential oils are more concentrated then their source, so you won’t need to add more than 1-2 drops to a recipe. Read more about cooking safely with essential oils here.
7. Promote restful sleep
Lavender has been used for centuries to promote sleep and relaxation. Recent studies show that lavender helps combat anxiety and insomnia, as well as increases periods of deep sleep (where your body rests and recharges).
Here are two simple ways to use lavender essential oil to sleep more soundly:
- Add 3-4 drops to a diffuser (we use one in the girls’ bedroom because it doubles as a nightlight)
- Add 1-2 drops to your pillow (under the pillowcase)
TIP: We bought two of these LED aroma diffusers and love them! Great price and easy to use!
8. Yoga mat cleaner
Sweaty yoga mats are a prime breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and all sorts of yucky stuff, so you definitely want to keep them clean!
Manufacturers usually say to avoid soap and water, and store-bought yoga mat cleaners can be pretty pricey, so I made my own based on the recipe my yoga studio uses.
Click here for my simple homemade yoga mat cleaner recipe.
9. Calm-down blend for kids
This is a trick my friend taught me, and it’s worked wonders in our house!
First, I helped each of my girls create their own special oil blend. When they feel upset, I ask if they’d like to use their “calm-down” oil and the answer is usually yes.
All they do is roll a bit of the oil blend onto their palms, then take 5 deep breaths. It’s not necessarily the oils that do the work, but the action of deep breathing and removing themselves from the situation that upset them. In either case, this is a quick way to diffuse tantrums!
How to make your own “calm down” oil blend for kids:
- Fill an empty oil roller most of the way with fractionated coconut oil (a common base for diluting pure essential oils for topical use).
- Choose 2-3 of your favorite essential oils and add 2-3 drops of each to the roller with a plastic dropper. (Lavender and frankincense are both helpful for their soothing properties).
- Replace the top of your roller and use as needed.
This kit includes everything you need to make your own oil blends (minus the oils themselves) – including rollers and a dropper.
10. Fabric fragrance
Essential oils make a wonderful alternative to chemical-based fabric softeners and fragrances.
I will add 3-4 drops of lavender oil to Woolzies dryer balls, toss them in the dryer, and dry clothes as usual. You won’t believe how amazing your laundry will smell afterwards! I always do this when I wash bedsheets and blankets for extra restful sleep.
We also use essential oils in our apple pie scented DIY carpet deodorizer to remove odors from carpets, rugs, etc. and leave them smelling like a delicious treat!
11. Ease cramps
If you’re like me, and that time of the month is pretty painful, essential oils can help. I don’t like to take pain relievers often, even over-the-counter. Clary Sage oil has been used for generations to relieve monthly discomfort.
12. Sooth headaches
I don’t get headaches often, but my husband does periodically. Both peppermint oil and rosemary oil can help relieve headache symptoms quickly.
You can add 2-3 drops of either oil to an aroma diffuser or apply 1-2 drops topically (be sure to dilute first).
Why I Chose Doterra Essential Oils
Just like you’ll see a lot of people recommending oils, you’ll see a lot of different places to buy them. I can only speak from my own experience, so I’ll tell you why I purchase my essential oils through DoTERRA.
Essential oils are not regulated, so the quality and purity varies widely depending on where you get them. Since these are things you’re putting on and in your body, it’s so important to know and trust your source!
All of DoTERRA’s essential oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils — the best available. Plus, you can check each bottle of oil you buy to see how that batch measures up to an independent quality report . You won’t find that kind of information on oils you buy anywhere else!
How to get started and save money on essential oils
- Create your DoTERRA membership account
With DoTERRA you can sign up as a Wellness Advocate or as a Wholesale Customer. Both types of membership offer special rates lower than the retail price. The only difference is that as a Wellness Advocate you can earn money.
Even if you don’t intend to start your own business, I suggest signing up as a Wellness Advocate because you could still earn money anyway!
Think of it like a membership to Sam’s Club — you pay a small enrollment fee to access wholesale product prices on every oil you purchase. You’ll save up to 55% off retail prices plus earn points towards free products! I don’t buy huge quantities of oils, but even still my membership pays for itself within a couple months!
There are no monthly requirements or minimum purchases — simply buy the oils you need, when you want them.
Click here to start shopping and create your own account with DoTERRA
The link above will take you to the DoTERRA website where you create your own account — you’ll be prompted to select your language first.
Next, choose whether you’d like a Wholesale Customer account or a Wellness Advocate account.
Finally, fill out your information and pick a password and you’re ready to start shopping!
If you’re interested in trying essential oils for the first time, I highly recommend purchasing a Starter Kit like the Home Essentials Kit. This gives you a selection of the most versatile oils for household use and save even more money than buying them individually. Plus, when you buy a starter kit, the $35 enrollment fee is waived.
If you’d like to select your own oils, make sure you grab the $35 introductory packet (listed with the kit options).
Fill out the payment information. Up until this point, you’ve been dealing with signing up as a wholesale member and setting up your new account. The order you just set up will ship out to you in a few days and you’re all set.
Start shopping or create your own account with DoTERRA here!
Do you have any unique or helpful uses for essential oils not listed here? Share them in the comments below!
The fine print: This article is based on my own personal experience and is for educational purposes only. The information here is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions and should not be taken as medical advice.
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How do you use Clary sage for cramps? Topically? Ingesting? A recipe would be nice.
Thank you!
I am a huge fan of essential oils and I have been looking for something I could do to help my daughter with the headaches she has from school (screen time) I think I will try out the bracelets, are you aware of any oils other than peppermint that would help with that? Thanks so much
I just wanted to say thank you for the post. my daughter suffers from migraines and having a bracelet with some peppermint on it has really helped her at school . I am wondering if there are other materials i could use. like maybe paracord? Also how often should I apply the oil? let me know. Thanks
Peppermint oil is pretty strong, so if it is helping already, I wouldn’t use more if you don’t need to.
Great post! I have never heard of using the drier balls and putting oils on them. I love that idea! thanks so much. This is a post I will come back to again and again. Great suggestions!
We have two dog and five kids. Our house has a tendency to gravitate towards being stinky. 1. Getting smells out of laundry and
10. Fabric fragrance is really helpful for our situation. We also made a general-purpose spray that leaves a room smelling citrus fresh!
Thanks for the helpful tips.
It is nice to have everyday uses for essential oils. I will have to work on having a good stockpile of oils so I can be ready to use them for every needs.