We all hate it when we step through our front doors or into a room, and rather than being enveloped by a fresh, pleasant scent, an unpleasant odor that molests the senses smacks you right in the face.
And few questions pop into our heads immediately: “What is that smell?”; “Where is it coming from?” and “How do I get rid of it?!”
In a bid to get rid o that foul odor, we try out different things, but some of us fail to realize that nothing beats nature.
We can thank nature for the good number of solutions it has provided us with. Quite specifically, nature has provided us with essential oils.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants that are obtained through distillation - via steam and/or water - or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing.
Basically, Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor, or "essence," of their source.
It is imperative to know that the process of obtaining essential oils is very important. In other words, essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not original essential oils.
The benefits of essential oils cannot be overestimated. They help relieve stress, anxiety, headaches, migraine, insomnia, and other health issues.
Essential oils are also used in aromatherapy, as mosquito repellents, and for industrial cosmetics.
They are also used around the house as cleaning wipes, toilet cleaner, hand sanitizer, car freshener, fabric spray, hand soap, home filter, carpet freshener, floor cleaner, and laundry detergent. What we are concerned with however is how essential oils help in odor control.
Here Are Our Best Essential Oils for Odor Control
Each essential oil has its own set of benefits that can help you, your home, and your family. However, essential oils do not all perform the same functions. Many essential oils will remove offensive musty odors and leave your home smelling clean and fresh.
Antibacterial essential oils have long been used to combat the growth of "bad" bacteria that cause odor. Essential oils tend to leave stains on your carpets and rugs if they are not applied properly, so it is recommended that you make use of a spray bottle.
These essential oils are known to contain natural deodorizing properties that can keep your home smelling fresh. Below are our favorite essential oils for eliminating odors.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil, derived from the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, is an impressive essential oil that has been known for many centuries because of its unique fragrance.
It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-bacterial properties that work to eliminate mold and mildew as well as musty odors. This essential oil serves as a powerful disinfectant that kills germs and controls bad odors, which is made possible because of its unique fragrance.
To make use of Tea tree essential oil in your home, mix 2 tbsp. of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the areas with the musty odor and allow to air dry. Repeat the process as often as needed to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell.
Grapefruit Essential Oil
Grapefruit essential oil, sourced from the peel of the Citrus paradisi fruit, has a pleasantly sweet, tangy/tart aroma that blends well with several other essential oils.
Grapefruit Essential Oil is a wonderful energizing oil that isn't too strong or overpowering. It’s also a powerhouse filled with anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. With these properties, grapefruit essential oil will help remove smoke and stale odor, as well as musty, mildew, smells.
To get the best of grapefruit essential oil, pour 2 cups of cool water into a clean spray bottle. Add 20 drops of the grapefruit essential oil, and gently swirl the spray bottle in a circular motion to mix the water with the oil. Spray the offensive odor with the mixture, and leave to air dry. Repeat the process as often as needed to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell.
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage essential oil, derived from the Salvia sclarea herb, possesses nervine, bactericidal, antiseptic, astringent, and deodorant properties that prevent bacteria from growing.
Clary sage essential oil is used as a calming aromatherapy and improves circulation. Sage oil has excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it effective in removing any unpleasant odors from your home, the air, and your body.
To use clary sage essential oil to remove musty odors, fill a spray bottle with 2 cups of water. Add 10 to 15 drops of clary sage essential oil and mix well. Spray the area with the mixture, and allow to air dry. Repeat the process as often as needed to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is one of the most impressive essential oils for eliminating odor. It has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties.
These qualities make Lavender oil the perfect essential oil for getting rid of that unpleasant smell on your fabric or in your home. This helps to reduce inflammation and is a universally popular scent.
To use lavender essential oil to remove musty odors, 5 to 10 tablespoons of vodka with 20 drops lavender oil, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the area with the mixture, and allow to air dry. Repeat the process as often as needed to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is quite popular for its therapeutic and refreshing effects, tension relief, and insect repellent properties. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help in removing any unpleasant odors from your home, the air, and your body.
Peppermint is naturally cool, minty and it helps to stimulate the mind. The cool, invigorating scent will leave your home smelling fresh and clean.
To enjoy the cool scent of peppermint essential oil, mix 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mix on the affected area, and allow to air dry. This mixture can be used repeatedly to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil has several health benefits including: alleviating headaches and energizing the body.
Vivorific’s peppermint essential oil is: 100% Pure and natural, free from fillers, additives and harmful chemicals, vegan and kosher certified and sealed with tamper evident closure and Euro style dropper cap.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil, extracted from the leaves of an herb called Rosmarinus officinalis, has one of the most calming scents amongst other essential oils – a minty-woodsy kind of scent.
It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-bacterial properties to keep our homes clean and free of toxic chemicals, thereby providing us with a fresh smell.
To make use of Tea tree essential oil in your home, mix 2 tablespoons of tea tree essential oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the areas with the musty odor and allow to air dry. This mixture can be used repeatedly to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell.
Lemon Essential Oil
It would be difficult to separate clothing and grease, as it seems that they go together perfectly, especially when you have young children in the house or you work in the foodservice.
When the grease stays so long on the cloth, it produces an offensive odor. Lemon essential oil can help to remove smelly grease and can be applied to even older stains.
It is an amazing and effective essential oil to use for cleaning the kitchen due to its energizing and disinfecting qualities. The invigorating and uplifting scent of lemon essential oil helps drives away sluggishness and enhances clear thinking.
To use lemon essential oil to remove musty odors, mix 20 drops it in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the area with the mixture, and allow to air dry. Repeat the process as often as needed to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil has several health benefits including: supporting the immune system, alleviating stress and reducing insomnia.
Vivorific’s peppermint essential oil is: 100% Pure and natural, free from fillers, additives and harmful chemicals, vegan and kosher certified and sealed with tamper evident closure and Euro style dropper cap.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil, extracted from the eucalyptus tree, is a purifying, cleansing, clarifying, and immune-boosting oil that is ideal for use on skin, in aromatherapy, and as a surface cleaning agent and a fabric freshener.
Using Eucalyptus oil to deodorize your home is pretty simple. Drop 5 drops of Eucalyptus Oil in the cup of boiled water, and pour the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the area with the mixture, and allow to air dry. Repeat this twice and the room will become completely aromatic and it will eliminate the bad smell.
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Orange Essential Oil is one of the most popular essential oils within aromatherapy. This is as a result of its versatility, affordability, and wonderfully uplifting aroma. Its aroma makes it one of the best oils to improve the aroma of any room that is plagued with any foul odor.
To use sweet essential oil to remove musty odors, mix 20 drops it in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the area with the mixture, and allow to air dry.
Repeat the process as often as needed to remove musty odors and give your home a fresh smell or you could saturate cotton balls in pure orange essential oil, and place the cotton balls in bowls or vases around your home.
Are there any essential oils you feel should be on the best essential oils for odor control list? Share them in the comments below.