Essential oils have several beneficial properties that make them a staple household item. One of the most popular uses for essential oils is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses essential oils to improve the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both your physical and emotional wellbeing by absorbing into the skin and affecting your limbic system. Essential oils are used to boost energy (peppermint), relieve stress (lavender), reduce anxiety (rose), aid digestion (lemon), and more.

A diffuser is the most common way to disperse essential oils into the air, but not everyone has access to a diffuser. There are many inexpensive and convenient ways to use essential oils without a diffuser using everyday household items. Follow these 11 hacks to reap the benefits of essential oils without a diffuser:

Straight From the Bottle

The easiest and quickest way to get the aromatic benefits of essential oils is by taking a whiff directly from the bottle. All you have to do is uncap the essential oil bottle, hold it a few inches from your nose, and make circular motions with your hand over the container to wave the vapors toward your nose. This will quickly get the essential oil molecules directly into your body and can give you a quick little boost whenever you need it.

Hands

You can place a few drops of essential oils onto your hands to enjoy the aromatic benefits. Place a few drops directly onto your palms, rub them together and cup your hands over your nose. Inhale a few times deeply to feel the effects.

Jewelry

Pendant diffusers are an elegant way to use essential oils without a diffuser. There are many cute aromatherapy necklaces you can buy online, or you can turn your favorite jewelry pieces into diffusers. Place a drop or two of your favorite essential oils on a necklace or bracelet, and you’ll have your own personal diffuser for the rest of the day.

Tissue

An inexpensive and convenient way to use essential oils without a diffuser is to use a tissue. Add a few drops of essential oil to a tissue, and you now have an oil diffuser on hand any time you need it. Unlike using your hand, the tissue will retain the essential oil molecules without absorbing it to use it for a more extended period. Tuck the tissue into your car’s air vents as an alternative to air fresheners or hold the tissue up to your nose.

Shower Melts

Essential oils are a fantastic addition to any self-care routine. It is believed that Cleopatra and the ancient Egyptians used essential oils in their beauty regimens to rejuvenate the skin, stimulate hair growth, and heal skin irritations. If you don’t have time for a full-on aromatherapy bath, shower melts are a handy option that gives you similar benefits to soaking in a tub. To make an essential oil shower, melt combine, 1 c baking soda, ⅓ c water, 25 drops of essential oil, and mix until it becomes a thick paste. Place the mixture into silicone molds and let air dry for 48 hours until hardened.

To use, place a melt outside of the direct water stream in your shower and watch as it dissolves and releases an enveloping aroma. The steam from the shower will open up your pores and allow the essential oil molecules to penetrate your skin more efficiently, giving you even better results. Check out these shower melt recipes that have different benefits based on different essential oil combinations.

Pillow Case

Lavender, valerian, and other essential oils have relaxation properties. Using them on your pillows will make your room smell great, and it will help you fall asleep faster. Add a few drops of a relaxation blend of oils onto the corners of your pillows, and you’ll be sleeping like a baby in no time.

Room Spray

Room sprays are an all-natural way to freshen up your home without the use of toxic candles. Making your room sprays from essential oils will save you money on overpriced commercial sprays, and you can personalize them to make the perfect scent. A quick spritz of these sprays will give you the therapeutic benefits of essential oils and make your home smell amazing. To make a room spray, fill a spray bottle with water and add 5-6 drops of essential oil for every ounce of water. If you’re working with a particularly strong oil like tea tree oil, you’ll only need a few drops, but if you’re working with a more mild oil like rose, you can use more. Play with the proportions until you’re happy with the spray’s strength and use it to your heart’s content!

Furnace Filter

In the winter, you can use your furnace filter as a DIY essential oil diffuser. Put a few drops of your favorite scent on your furnace filter, and when air comes through the filter, the oils will be dispersed through your home. You’ll want to add additional drops of oil to your filter every couple of days to get the essential oils’ continued aromatic and therapeutic benefits.

Cotton Ball

If you need to use essential oils without a diffuser, all you need is a cotton ball and a fan. Place a few drops of oil onto a cotton ball and tape the cotton ball to a fan. This works for ceiling fans, air conditioners, and smaller fans so you can place them all over your house. Make sure to turn off your fan before taping a cotton ball to it to protect your fingers from the blades then turn the fan back on to enjoy the benefits.

Toilet Paper Roll

Ditch the Febreeze and freshen up your bathroom in a more natural way by turning your toilet paper into an air freshener. Just put a few drops of essential oil on the cardboard tube inside the toilet paper roll, and you’re good to go. Each time someone unrolls the toilet paper roll, the essential oil will give off a pleasant scent that masks odors.

Reed Diffuser

When you don’t have access to an outlet, reed diffusers are an excellent substitute for traditional electronic diffusers in small areas like bathrooms and foyers. To make a reed diffuser combine ¼ c of sunflower oil, 2 tbsp of alcohol, and 15-20 drops of essential oil into a small glass container with a narrow opening. Put 6-10 reed sticks in the glass and flip them every few days to refresh the scent. You’ll want to replace the oil-alcohol mixture once it evaporates and replace the reed sticks about once a month to maximize the benefits. You can easily change up your reed diffuser blends based on the season and the desired effects you want.

Choosing the Right Essential Oils

Essential oils are a must-have household item because of their incredible aromatherapeutic and antimicrobial properties. You can easily use essential oils without a diffuser to freshen up your home and improve your wellbeing. You may not always have time to create the perfect essential oil mixture, so having a few essential oil blends on hand that produce specific effects allows you to enjoy the desired benefits you’re looking for. Killing Them Softly essential oils are formulated with the highest quality of natural ingredients that work together to calm your mind and body and protect your immune system. Learn more about our natural products and add them to your next DIY diffuser for soothing benefits.