Tea tree oil derives from a tree called Melaleuca alternifolia in Australia. This oil was used by the Aboriginals to treat muscle pain, different health issues, and it was used as an anti-bacterial agent.
It comes with potent antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and antiviral properties. Nowadays it is becoming a popular ingredient in different cosmetic and household products.
This includes laundry detergents, face wash, nail creams, shampoos, skin creams and massage oils. Due to its properties, this is an essential oil which should be found in your natural medicine cabinet.
But do you know how to use it? Below you will see 7 ways to do that.
#1 Disinfectant
In case someone at home has recently been ill, you need to add tea tree oil to warm mist vaporizer. This can help cleanse the air. Also what you can do is add from 6 to 8 drops to the laundry in order to wash the linens.
#2 Use It to Destroy Germs on Clothes
You can disinfect your clothes the natural way thanks to the tea tree oil. All you need to do is add a couple of drops to each load of laundry. The result will be clothed with fresh and pleasant scent.
#3 Disinfect the Dishes
To disinfect and clean the dishes, you need to add from 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil to the soap dispenser in your dishwasher. Do this before you add soap.
#4 Use It as All-Purpose Cleaner
You need to mix from 3 to 4 drops of this oil with 1 tbsp. of vinegar and 1 tbsp. of borax. Add the obtained mixture in a 12-ounce spray bottle, pour water and use it as an all-purpose cleaner.
#5 Repel Ants
If you have ants around your home, don’t go and use toxic store-bought products, you can deal with them the natural way. What you need to do is find the place from where they enter and in and around the area pour tea tree oil.
This can help you get rid of them. In order to get rid of cockroaches, you should mix tea tree oil with water and use the obtained mixture to wipe down the cupboards.
#6 This Oil Kills Mold
Many people have this common issue at home, and that is mold infestation. You should get a diffuser and diffuse tea tree oil in the air. This can help kill all bad bacteria including mold.
Moreover, you can spray tea tree oil onto your toilet, shower curtains, laundry machine or dishwasher in order to deal with mold.
#7 Great for Your Hair
The tea tree oil is good for your scalp and hair. This oil can help eliminate dandruff, soothe dry skin or even you can use it for lice.
In order to make tea tree oil shampoo at home, you need to mix a few drops of this oil, with lavender oil, coconut milk, and aloe vera gel.
Word of Caution
In general, the tea tree oil is seen as safe. It usually doesn’t have any side effects. But if you have sensitive skin, you might get a reaction. Make sure to keep this oil from contact lenses, your eyes, sensitive parts of the skin and inner nose.
The best thing to do would be to do a small skin patch test on your leg or arm in order to ensure that this oil won’t cause any negative reaction. The all-purpose tea tree oil is a must-have in all homes.