Iceland review - 2019, Síða 35

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Iceland Review
Essential life hacks
Essential oils and other plant essences can be used for many
applications and are often capable of replacing harmful
chemicals used in modern perfumes, creams, and cleaning
products. Try these ideas for a healthy home, ocean, mind,
and body.
• Try mixing a few drops of your oil of choice with so-called
“carrier oils” like jojoba oil and sweet almond oil and apply
the mixture to body and face. A quick Googling session will
help you determine the best carrier oil for your skin type.
Just make sure that your carrier oil is 80% of your blend
or higher, since most oils are too strong to be applied to the
skin undiluted. If you’d like to make a solid perfume or oint-
ment, try melting a little beeswax and mixing it with your
concoction, it’ll stiffen almost immediately in the fridge.
• Try putting a few drops of undiluted oil in your washing
machine. You can either put it in with your clothes or with
an unscented detergent like Neutral in your detergent
compartment. I tried this with five drops of Sitka spruce
and five drops of juniper berry and my clothes came out
smelling like a fresh forest. Highly recommended for you
and the ocean.
• For those who hate the smell their vacuum cleaner gives
off whilst they clean, essential oils are a godsend. Put a
few drops on half a square of toilet paper and let your
vacuum swallow it up. I tried this with eucalyptus oil and
was amazed at the results. Who says cleaning can’t also be
aromatherapy?
• For an excellent cleaning spray, mix half a cup of white
vinegar, half a cup of water, and 12 to 24 drops of your
favourite essential oils in a spray bottle. Many oils have
great antimicrobial and antifungal effects in addition to
their smell and some have the added luxury of repelling
insects.
• Fragrance lamps are becoming very cheap and can be
used to diffuse any oil around your home, a perfect way to
enjoy the luxurious smells of essential oils. Choose uplift-
ing oils in the morning and calming ones before bedtime.
If you don’t have a fragrance lamp, you can put a drop of
relaxing oil on your pillow before going to sleep for a good
night’s rest.