Can I use an Essential oil to Disinfect the Air?

Many people became interested in essential oils because of their antibacterial and antiviral properties. Some of the oils can be used for deodorizing, purifying, and cleaning the air in your home. This can be especially useful during cold and flu season. EOs have been trusted to help provide relief from cold and flu symptoms, but wouldn’t it be great if you could use them to kill germs and viruses in the air before they ever affect you or your family? Well, it turns out that there are a few go-to oils that may be able to do just that, or at a minimum provide a layer of protection for you and your family.

Essential Oils with Germ-Fighting Properties

There are several essential oils useful for fighting germs. You may want to purchase a pre-mixed blend or try to make your own blends of essential oils to disinfect the air. Generally speaking, here is a list of oils that can be blended or used alone to help fight viruses, colds, and influenza. Use them alone, or any combination of these oils.

• Cinnamon EO
• Clove EO
• Eucalyptus EO
• Lemon EO
• Lavender EO
• Thyme EO
• Rosemary EO
• Tea Tree EO
• Lemongrass EO
• Geranium EO

Ways to Use an Essential Oil to Disinfect the Air

You can mix and match these oils in any way you like. You’ll find you prefer some blends over others. For instance, some people love the smell of tea tree oil while others loathe it. Try blending them a few different ways to find the scent and effect you desire. Once you know which oils you prefer in your own special blend, you can use them several ways to disinfect and clean the air.

Room Sprays

Make a mist to spray around your home or office to freshen the air. Add the desired amount of water from one-half a cup to a whole cup to the spray bottle. Then, add eight drops of three different oils to the water. One favorite includes tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemon essential oils. It’s very fragrant and powerful combination. Spray the mist around your house when the air smells stale.

Diffusing Oils

You can also use a diffuser to spread powerful and purifying combinations throughout your home. Mix a few drops into the diffuser to freshen the air.

Using EOs for Disinfecting the Air

There are so many essential oils that can be used to disinfect the air, it makes it difficult to know where to start. There are a few oils that have been the subject of some scientific studies which indicated they contain antibacterial and/or antiviral properties. This is not to say other oils do not contain these beneficial characteristics. However, these oils have some measure of scientific research available to prove they do contain these properties. To date, using these 100% pure and authentic essential oils will have these benefits:

• Cinnamon barkessential oil: antibacterial properties
• Eucalyptus Essential oil: both antiviral and antibacterial properties
• Geranium essential oil: antibacterial properties
• Lemongrass essential oil: antibacterial properties
• Tea tree essential oil: antiviral properties

Suggested Essential Oils to Blend for Disinfecting the Air

Lemongrass EO is useful for disinfection the air due to its potent antibacterial properties. It’s fresh smell also combines well with other essential oils. Tea tree EO is often used in medicinal aromatherapy and can be blended with a variety of oils too. A few popular essential oil blends to disinfect the air includes:

• Lemongrass EO with Cinnamon Bark EO
• Lemongrass EO, tea tree EO, and eucalyptus EO (possibly the strongest antimicrobial combination!)
• Lemongrass EO plus geranium EO
• Eucalyptus EO and geranium EO
• Eucalyptus EO and Tea tree EO
• Eucalyptus EO plus lavender EO (this combination is great for helping promote relaxation too!)

A Few Diffuser Recipes for Cleansing the Air

1. Add 5 drops each of eucalyptus EO, frankincense EO, and 5 drops of lemon EO in the diffuser.
2. To relieve a stopped up noseuse 3 drops of eucalyptus EO, 2 drops of lavender EO, and 2 drops of peppermint EO in the diffuser. To prevent airborne infection from spreading, diffuse 3 drops each of eucalyptus and tea tree EO.
3. Disinfecting the air in your home can be as simple as using 4 drops each of tea tree EO and lemon EO in your diffuser.
4. Make your own purifying blend of essential oils to diffuse for cleaning and disinfecting the air or dilute it with a carrier oil to apply it topically. To make a 15 ml bottle use 90 drops of lemongrass EO, 40 drops of tea tree EO, 65 drops of rosemary EO, 40 drops of lavender EO, 11 drops of myrtle EO, and 10 drops of citronella.

Warnings About Essential Oils

There are a few oils that are not safe to use around children or women who are pregnant. As a general rule, these are the warnings.

• Clove EO should not be used around children under 2 years of age.
• Eucalyptus EO should not be used around children under 10 years of age.
• Lemongrass EO should be avoided by children under 2 and women who are pregnant.
• Peppermint EO should not be used around children under 6 years old.
• Rosemary EO should be avoided by women who are pregnant and children under 6 years of age.
• Sage EOshould be avoided during pregnancy and not used around children under 6.
• Wintergreen EO should not be used while pregnant or around small children.