Essential oils are nature’s gift to humankind. As highly concentrated compounds extracted from plants, these oils are frequently used in aromatherapy to induce a calming effect on those who inhale them. Some people also choose to directly apply the oils onto their skin for alleged health benefits.
There are over 90 different types of essential oils, ranging from peppermint to lavender. Each oil has its own unique scent, benefit and use. Now, everyone’s got a preference for a particular aroma, but there’s probably nothing more infuriating than shopping for an essential oil diffuser.
Oil diffusers are usually on the expensive side and when they’re not, they tend to be incompetent at effectively aerating a room.
However, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem because there are plenty of ways you can use your favorite essential oils without a diffuser. Just follow my lead.
1. Use Your Hands
One of the easiest ways to experience the goodness of essential oils is by firsthand application. Pardon me for the pun, but I had to. Dab two to three drops of oil onto your palms and strategically rub them onto all your pulse points. Alternatively, you can just cup your hands, bring them to your nose and sniff the oils. However, this method will be most effective if you’re not too busy working on a task.
2. Cotton Balls
It’s strange to realize how many people use this as their go-to method to diffuse essential oils, but it’s a popular method because it actually works! Dampen the cotton with some drops of oil and place it in some inconspicuous spots around the house. You can also place it inside your pillowcase if you want to sleep with the scent.
Pro Tip: If your oil bottle is empty, you can place the cotton balls inside it for about 2 days straight. When you take them out, you’ll notice that the cotton has absorbed the leftover scent.
3. Paper Towel Rolls
Whether you’re using a toilet paper or a kitchen towel, if you’ve got it in a roll, you can use it as an alternative diffuser. Place a few drops of essential oils on the middle of the roll. Each time someone uses some paper, the oils will disperse into the air and give off their scent. Now, that’s a convenient air freshener for both the kitchen and the bathroom.
4. Furnace Filters
Furnace filters are a great way to diffuse the oil scent far and wide. If you’ve got guests coming over, just sprinkle some oil drops onto the furnace tray and let them work their magic. You can try some smells that are generally uplifting like lavender or citrus, so you can get a nice aroma throughout your house. Fair warning, though: the smells on the filter won’t last long and you might have to repeat the process every two or three days.
5. Make a Spray Bottle
Sprays are a long-lasting way of diffusing essential oils. All you have to do is grab an empty bottle and get creative. Pour in about 10 to 15 drops of one oil and add another oil similarly. Add a pinch of salt to the mixture. Some people prefer adding witch hazel to the concoction so that the oils mix well together. Now, grab a nozzle top and spray the fresh scent across the room. You can expect your spraying mix to last about a month, depending on how frequently you use it.
6. Scented Ornaments
Pine cones, also known as conifer cones, are the easiest decoration item to help diffuse essential oils. You can use the spray bottle that we mentioned above to spray the tiny pieces. Place the pine cones back into the decoration container in your living room or hide them in a vase. You can choose how you want to place them around your home or office.
Remember to buy the unscented type of cones for this method. If you’ve already got scented ones, the essential oils might not be able to give off their uniquely rich aroma.
7. Scented Jewelry
Essential oil jewelry is gaining popularity not only for its diffusion capacity but also because it looks so trendy! You’ll find plenty of designs in the market. Some common ones include terra cotta pendants, lavender beads and oil pads. Again, depending on your preference, you can pick a necklace or bracelet with the scent you prefer. If you’re traveling, the jewelry is going to be an effective way to give you consistent diffusion but also keep the scent close to you, so you’re not even going to be bothering anyone with the jewelry you wear in public.
8. Aroma Therapy Inhalers
Aroma therapy inhalers have a wick in the middle of the tube. Similar to how you light a candle wick, just pour some essential oil drops onto it. And you have an essential oil inhaler! However, it’s not recommended for you to place the inhaler directly into your nostril to enjoy the benefits. Simply place the inhaler slightly below your nose, and you’ll be good to go.
9. Pet Collar Diffusers
Let’s not hoard on all the benefits of essential oils for ourselves and share some calming effects with our furry little friends too. Pour a couple of drops of your selected oil onto your pet’s collar and let it roam around the house. Not only will that help diffuse the scents wherever it goes, but it’ll also have a soothing effect on your animal if it has anxiety issues.
Conclusion
Essential oils are the ideal companions for anyone feeling a little nervous, jittery or just dull. Pick a scent that appeals to you and use any of the above methods to effectively diffuse it without ever needing to purchase a diffuser again!