Essential Oils

Essential oils are so named because they contain the essence, or unique scent, of plants. Essential oils are used in everything from bath products to household cleaners to food products. In recent years, of course, essential oils have experienced a resurgence of popularity through aromatherapy. Essential oils such as lavender oil and rose oil are heralded for their calming properties, for example.

But essential oils can also serve much more practical functions. If you make your own household cleaners, which are much cheaper and much less toxic than buying conventional cleaners, tea tree oil can be added as a disinfectant and a scent-enhancer. Orange, lemon, and pine oils, which are essential oils found in many conventional cleaners, also help remove stains and add shine. Another disinfecting essential oil, eucalyptus, can be added to laundry loads to kill dust mites. Plus, eucalyptus makes it easier to breathe more deeply – which is why it's one of the primary ingredients in Vick’s VapoRub.

In fact, choosing products scented with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances are both more eco-friendly and better for your health. Synthetic fragrances often contain phthalates, chemicals that have already been banned in Europe because of their suspected potential to damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and developing reproductive organs in fetuses. Brands like Burt's Bees and Mrs. Meyer's use essential oils to fragrance their products naturally and safely.