12 Clever Uses for Tea Tree Oil at Home

Fun fact: Tea tree oil isn’t made from tea trees. Shocking, I know. It’s actually an essential oil found on one specific tree found in one place: Australia. Lucky for us, it has made its way from “down under” and into our supermarkets. Plus, it can do anything from kill mold to help asthma.

Tip: When you pick up tea tree oil from the store, make sure it’s in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. Light can reduce the oil’s potency!

Here are 12 reasons to buy tea tree oil next time you shop:

1. Kill Mold

To remove minor cases of mold from your shower or other common spots, mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of hot water in a spray bottle. Spray a generous amount on the moldy areas, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then wipe it away.

2. Clean … Everything

To make an all-purpose cleaner that can tackle your bathroom, kitchen and everything in between, fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons of tea tree oil and then top off the bottle with water. Spray away, and then rinse with warm water.

3. Soothe Sunburns

Naturally heal and soothe painful sunburns with a cool compress. Mix 10-15 drops of tea tree oil with one cup of cool water. Soak a soft washcloth in this mixture and then apply the cloth to the affected area with pressure.

4. Relieve Mild Coughs and Wheezing

If you have breathing issues, put a few drops of tea tree oil in a humidifier’s water. The essential oil works as an expectorant, expelling mucus that causes wheezing and coughing.

5. Freshen Laundry

To keep laundry smelling fresh, add a few drops of tea tree oil to the washing machine when you pour in detergent.

6. Clean Your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is basically a breeding ground for bacteria. Give it a quick clean by adding a small drop of tea tree oil on the bristles. Then, rinse away with the oil with hot water before using your brush again.

7. Remove Mildew from Towels

Smelly towels? Run a towels-only load with white vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil. Then, run the same load of towels with detergent and dry them thoroughly.

8. Disinfect Carpets

Mix 10-20 drops of tea tree oil in a small bowl with baking soda and then sprinkle the mixture on the carpet before vacuuming. Your carpets will be disinfected and smelling great!

P.S. Pure tree tea oil is toxic to pets!

9. Scrub the Tub

Combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of warm water and a handful of kosher salt. Use the solution to scrub away rings in your bathtub. Rinse away the solution with warm water.

10. Remove Mustiness from Stored Clothes

If stored clothes smell musty, spray the items with 2 cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of tea tree oil. Let the solution do its thing. Your clothes should smell fresh in a few days.

11. Repel Insects

Mix 15 drops of tea tree oil with warm water and spray the mixture liberally to keep insects away.

12. Naturally Deodorize Stinky Items

Soak cotton balls in tea tree oil, then wipe down sports equipment, suitcases or anything else that smells rank in your home.

Source: Brightnest