Things I Love: Essential Oils

Essential Oils have played a part in my daily life for the better part of the last decade. Here are 5 EO's I can't live without, a few ways I use them, and my recipe for homemade cleaning wipes! xo, Terra

My top 5 essential oils (in no particular order)

my go-to @vitruvi diffuser, and a few of my favorite oils

1. Peppermint
   Peppermint has tons of uses. I first used it the way most of us probably did- making peppermint frosted treats for Christmas. Now, this is the #1 oil I turn to when I need relief from a headache; when anyone in the house is feeling nauseous; added to tea when I want a little pick me up; it's also a natural bug repellent, so I like to add a few drops to a spray bottle, and spray it around my windows and doors to keep spiders away.

2. Eucalyptus
   My son was diagnosed with asthma at 18 months. I quickly realized that while I couldn't control the illness, I did have a hand in reducing triggers. I keep a humidifier in Peyton's room, and I diffuse eucalyptus to promote his breathing. I also add eucalyptus oil as a natural disinfectant to my homemade cleaning spray and wipes. When we're feeling under the weather, I put 5-6 drops of eucalyptus on a damp washcloth, and use it in the sauna: the infrared heat plus the essential oil does wonders for relieving  congestion. 
3. Grapefruit
   One of my favorite scents to add in the kitchen and bathroom is grapefruit. I diffuse grapefruit oil in my entryway and kitchen for most of the year, add grapefruit oil to my hand soap in the bathroom, and add a few drops to my homemade cleaning wipes when Peyton helps with chores. Grapefruit is an uplifting fragrance, and I love to mix it with Bergamot in a bath, or in my mop water when I'm cleaning the floors. 
4. Bergamot
   Bergamot is an oil I wear, diffuse, and clean with. I also add it to my tea (it's what gives earl gray tea its delicious scent). I diffuse bergamot on its own and also mix it with neroli oil (orange blossom) to naturally add fragrance to our laundry. 
5. Cinnamon
   During the holidays, I diffuse cinnamon, orange, and clove to mimic the scent of mulling spices on the stove! I love the smell of the holidays, and this combo immediately puts everyone in the Christmas spirit. The rest of the year, I alternate cinnamon and peppermint as bug repellants and also add it to my smoothies as a natural way to regulate blood sugar levels. 

**full disclosure** I am not an essential oil expert, just an enthusiast. For all things EO, check out 2 of my favorite people, and their Instagram pages! If you're looking to broaden your knowledge in this area, let these Boss Babes guide you! I'm just here to sing their praises. 

Sydney of OutbackSherriffs is my health and wellness guru when it comes to EO's -though I don't know if she knows I call her that. ☺️ She knows oils inside and out, and will help you discover the best oils for your life  

Griselda is the master of curated scents. Her page Spruce and Thyme has tons of helpful tips and tricks for incorporating essential oils into your daily life. I am also obsessed with her serious photography skills!! 

Kid Friendly Cleaning Wipes

Because of Peyton's asthma (and allergies), I started making my own cleaning wipes and switched to as many natural cleaning products as I found to be effective. Chores are a family affair at our house, and I wanted to feel good about what Peyton is inhaling, and also what touches his skin. Here's my recipe for kid-friendly cleaning wipes! The best part of this is that there's no waste- Just throw the rags though a sanitizing wash cycle, and you're good to go!

What you'll need:

• 1- 32oz Wide mouth mason jar
• 10-20 assorted sized rags (Old dishtowels and t-shirts cut into 6" or 12" squares do the trick! I use different sizes for different jobs)
• 3/4c filtered water
• 3/4C distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 drops bergamot essential oil

How you make them:

• Add all liquids to the mason jar, and give them a good swirl. Be sure to use a glass jar as plastic can react to the oils and vinegar
• Add rags one at a time, fully submerging each rag
• Put a lid on the jar, and give it a few tilts back and forth be make sure each rag is wet enough

How to use them:

• Pull rags from the jar one at a time, squeezing any excess liquid back into the jar (this is where the wide-mouth jar request is most important)
• Use to wipe counters, window sills, shutters, baseboards, sinks, etc! 
• Throw dirty rags into a sanitizing cycle in the washing machine once you're finished, and make a new batch as needed! 

You can fit 20-30 small rags in a jar, but 10 is about how many I can get my son to use before he's OVER dusting and cleaning. 

** one note, these may not be suitable for certain stone countertops. Be sure to check the care of your surfaces before using! **