Clove oil is an essential oil distilled from the dried flower buds of the clove tree, a plant which is native to southeast Asia. For many of us, the warm and spicy scent of clove is reminiscent of holiday fruit cakes, chai, festive orange pomanders, or warm mulled drinks. Not only is clove delicious, the perfect note to evoke cozy holiday feels, but it turns out it is also a very useful essential oil to have around the house due to its natural antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and ant-repelling properties.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to put clove oil to good use around your home—whether it happens to be the holiday season or not!
Air freshening room/fabric spray
If you have a room that’s smelling stale or even a little funky, clove oil’s antimicrobial punch can tackle it in no time. Spritz in the air, on pillows or stale fabrics, or even in your car!
Whip together this simple air freshening mixture in a small glass spray bottle:
2 Tbsp of vodka
6 Tbsp of filtered water
15 drops cinnamon oil
7 drops clove oil
12 drops tea tree oil
Combat mold on walls and ceilings
While you’d still have to get at the source of any mold growth by tackling any sources of moisture and damp, clove can help you tackle the cleanup. Clove oil is a proven mold-buster, so if you’re looking to try a natural way to fight this fungus on larger surfaces like your walls and ceiling, give the following remedy a go:
Mix three drops of clove oil, half a cup of vinegar and five cups of water.
Use a clean broom and sweep the mould area with the solution.
Allow to dry.
Clear mold from hard surfaces
To eliminate or prevent mold or mildew from shower grout, counter tops, or other hard surfaces, try this anti-fungal spray.
Clear mold from hard surfaces
To eliminate or prevent mold or mildew from shower grout, counter tops, or other hard surfaces, try this anti-fungal spray.
Mix together the following in a spray bottle:
1/2 C white vinegar
1/3 C distilled water
10 drops of clove oil
4 drops of tea tree oil
Shake well before using. Spray directly onto the affected area, and allow it to dry completely (around an hour); spray again, and gently wipe the area down with a damp cloth to remove the mould. Rinse and wipe dry. Repeat as often as needed.
Diffuser blends
We love blending together our favorite essential oils and creating unique scent profiles to combat odors, clear the air, or create particular energetic moods in our spaces. Clove oil works as an ideal grounding compliment to so many other oils, adding its unique and spicy kick as well as that bonus air purification!
Each of the following diffuser blend recipes is meant to be diluted into 200ml of water.
Warm spice blend
This classic spice combination encapsulates the warm and cozy scents of autumn baking, making it a perfect vibe to come home to after a trip to the pumpkin patch, or a long walk in the woods. Simply set the diffuser, mull up some cider, and curl up with a good book by the fire. Pure bliss.
3 drops clove oil
2 drops cinnamon bark oil
3 drops ginger oil
2 drop nutmeg oil
Air purifying blend
If clean, clear air is what you’re after, this blend combines some of the most effective essential oils for busting germs or fighting those stubborn odors that linger far beyond their welcome.
4 drops clove oil
2 drops rosemary oil
2 drops lemon oil
2 drops tea tree oil
Citrus spice blend
One of the more classic ways to showcase the fabulousness of clove oil is to pair it up with orange. If you’re too busy to get cracking on crafting some old fashioned pomanders (made by poking dried clove buds into an orange) , try this simple diffuser recipe instead.
4 drops clove oil
3 drops sweet orange oil
3 drops bergamot oil
Light woods blend
Sometimes woodsy blends can be a bit too heavy or resinous for an all purpose air freshener, smelling more like the depths of a musty old cedar chest than anything remotely inviting. With the right complimentary notes, however, you can evoke the same grounded earthiness of the forest but with a lighter touch. This blend sees spice and citrus and evergreen singing together in perfect harmony.
3 drops clove oil
4 drops cedarwood oil
3 drops bergamot oil
Fresh and clean
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to using diffuser blends around my kitchen, I’m very careful not to use any scents that fight my foods. After all, a kitchen should smell like what you’d find in a kitchen, though with a bit less of yesterday’s salmon or this morning’s burnt toast. Here, clove oil is once again paired with its perfect match, orange, and is further warmed up with a bit of fennel. Fresh, clean, and also a bit yummy.
3 drops clove oil
4 drops sweet orange oil
3 drops fennel oil
Have you ever used clove oil around the house? Have a favorite cleaning-with-cloves recipe to share? We’d love to hear from you.
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