50+ Essential Oil Uses (besides diffusing them) - Don't Waste the Crumbs (2024)

By Tiffany Published April 30, 2018 • Last Updated March 5, 2024 13 Comments

As a frugal person who is allergic to too much clutter under sink cabinets, I’m all about buying things with multiple purposes.

That’s one reason why I use coconut oil to cook AND to moisturize my face. It’s also why I use a bar of soap to wash my hair and why I use a heating pad to make yogurt. Buying multiple things that each only have one purpose is not only a waste of money, but it’s a waste of storage space!! (And all the bottles and containers and such really do give me hives.)

When I tell my friends and family about essential oils though, they naturally think they’re only good for one thing: diffusing.

While they are fantastic for freshening the air and dispelling foul odors (homemade fish sticks, anyone?), there are TONS of other PRACTICAL essential oil uses too! Maybe you’re just a beginner at this. I once was too. Now I know so many amazing things that can be done with essential oils and how much chemicals can be eradicated from my home by making the switch.

In fact, the more I learn about the ways to use essential oils, the more I rely on them and not on the store-bought stuff I used to!

In years past, I’ve used essential oils to freshen my carpet, to clean my produce and in my daily moisturizer, but I know this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I first got started with essential oils with aYoung Living Premium Starter Kit. You save 50% over buying everything by itself, and it’s by far the best bang for your buck. (This is one of the ways we’re able to afford essential oils!).

There’s no way I could come up with all these ideas on my on my own… I’m only one woman and only do so many things in a given day. I don’t have kids under feet anymore, my husband doesn’t change the oil in our cars and my kids know not to draw on the walls…

Although I do often forget to pack my deodorant while traveling, LOL!!

Since my fellow mama’s are in all different seasons of life, I asked myoily team for their best ideas and hacks for using the essential oils that come in the Premium Start Kit… and they blew me out of the water!!

Altogether, we came up with over 50 different ways to use these essential oils – besides diffusing of course. You can see how they’ve quickly become an asset to this busy wife and mom!

50+ Essential Oil Uses (Besides Diffusing Them)

Note #1: Some of these oils require dilution, and some do not. All oils should be diluted when using on children. I didn’t get into details or tutorials in this post because you’d be here all day if I did, but if you have any questions, leave a comment or send me an email. Better yet, join my Young Living team today and join 800+ other genius oily ladies who can help you get the most out of your oils!

Note #2: The biggest concern with essential oils and pets isn’t necessarily WHAT oil you’re using, but the QUALITY of the oil you’re using. Young Living has the patented Seed to Seal process with standards far surpassing organic regulations. If you want to use essential oils and are concerned about pets, I encourage you to read this article.

Note #3: I understand that not everyone wants to be part of Young Living. And while they are still my first choice, I’ve also heard great things about Plant Therapy on Amazon.

Peppermint

• Deters creepy crawling things on the ground… ants, spiders, roaches, etc.
• Reduce hunger cravings
• Encourages thicker and longer hair
• Deters creepy crawling things in hair!
• Deters creepy crawling things on pets!
• Soothes skin that has been in the sun too much
• Alleviates occasional nausea or motion sickness
• Helps digestion of gas-causing foods (i.e. cabbage, broccoli, etc.)
• Offers a cooling sensation on the skin during hot months

Lemon

• removes labels from jars
• removes permanent marker from doors
• de-greases greasy spots in the kitchen
• takes off tree sap from your hands
• removes crayon from dressers
• removes oil from jeans hubby just changed the car oil in
• add to the rinse cycle of the washer and line dry whites to brighten clothes naturally
• natural option for cleaning produce
• cleans rust off stainless steel
• takes regular marker off white boards
• can clean burned-on yuck from stainless steel
• use to clean the inside of the washing machine
• use to clean the inside of the oven
• keeps digestive pipes moving
• polishes wood and silver
• can help manage stress and worry
• brightens grout and tile
• use in hair and spend time in the sun for natural highlights

Thieves

• Two drops with plant food to a bouquet of flowers to prolong the life of your flowers.
• Remove oil stains from clothes
• Sniff as you’re cutting onions to help prevent your eyes from crying

Lavender

• Add 1-2 drops to mascara for long and luscious eyelashes
• After-sun spray
• Mix with rice to make room sachets
• Amazing to support a good nights’ rest
• Acts as a pest repellant on pets

R.C. / Raven

• Use to make homemade chest rub

Stress Away

• Gives shiny, smooth beard

Digize

• Keeping the digestive pipes moving
• Can help with gas bubbles and bloating
• Great to use when you eat out (including vacation!)
• Can help with gassy, fussy babies

Frankincense

• Supports healthy skin for all ages

Citrus Fresh

• Put 1-2 drops on a cotton ball and place at the bottom of trash cans, litter box, diaper pails, bathrooms, under car seats… anywhere stinky!
• Put a drop or two on a cotton ball in the filter section of the vacuum cleaner
• Place a drop or two inside a stinky dishwasher
• Place a drop inside stinky shoes or work boots
• Use on the carpet after pet accidents
• Use in the washer and dryer to help get rid of musty smelling laundry
• Can use under arms if you forget to wear deodorant
• Use on furniture to get rid of vomit, pet or any stinky smells
• Helps cut grease (add to hand soap or dish soap)
• Cuts through grime on bathroom tile
• Add to air conditioning filters

Copaiba

• Soothes sore muscles
• Soothes scratchy throats
• Helps stretch marks fade
• Helps with teething children
• Great for supporting the skin
• Helps with restful sleep
• Encourages long and luscious eyelashes
• Helps with hair growth

Any Oil

• Add 2-4 drops to the inside of your toilet paper roll

And when it seems like there’s nothing left in the bottle:

• Add empty bottles right into the bathtub with you (avoid hot and/or cold oils!)
• Fill partway with carrier oil to really get every last drop out
• Place empty bottles, plastic pieces and lids in a bag of baking soda and shake well. Clean and re-use pieces as necessary BUT re-use the now-scented baking soda! It works great as a toxin-free carpet refresher (tutorial on that here) or as a scrub with Thieves cleaner.
• Or add 1 tsp of this baking soda to shampoo, body wash, lotion or dish soap to make bubbles!
• Or add empty bottles to Epsom salt instead of baking soda and use the salt for a relaxing bath!

What’s your favorite essential oils, and how do you use it (besides diffusing)? Leave your ideas in the comments section below!