With all
the latest information about Covid-19 in the news, we may be spending more time
at home away from work, crowds, or even school. The EPA says we normally spend about
90% of our time indoors.

Unless
our windows are open, much of the time we are breathing in all types of indoor
pollution, allergens, and germs. Indoor pollution can aggravate asthma,
irritate our sinuses, cause congestion, and leave us feeling worn-out, tired,
and, at the very worst, sick.

Here’s
the good news: there are a few different ways to use essential oils to help
protect us and clean/disinfect the air around us. When diffused or used as a
room spray, essential oils are more than ‘a pretty face’.

They can help clean, deodorize, and purify the air in our homes and leave us breathing easier. Using the right essential oils, we can combat indoor pollution while simultaneously reaping the therapeutic rewards of clean, fresh, and healthy air.

Fortunately, we all have online
access to a wide variety of antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial essential
oils. When used in various ways, they can help eliminate germs on your body,
your belongings, and the surfaces in your home.

Essential Oils That Fight Germs

There are many essential oils
with antimicrobial properties, and you can use them alone or in a combination
of oils. Here are a few suggestions:

• Eucalyptus
  (eucalyptus globulus)
• Lavender
  (lavender angustifolia)
• Cinnamon
  (cinnamomun zeylanicuml) – should
  not be used around children under 6 years of age
• May
  Chang (litsea cubeba)
• Oregano
  (origanum vulgare)
• Thyme
  (thymus vulgaris)
• Tea Tree
  (melaleuca alternifolia)
• Clove
  (syzygium aromaticum) should not be used around children under 2 years of
  age
• Lemon
  (citrus limon)
• Rosemary
  (rosmarinus officinalis) should be avoided by women who are pregnant and children
  under 6 years of age
• Geranium
  (pelargonium graveolens)

There are scientific studies
which indicate many essential oils contain antibacterial and/or antifungal
properties. Among the oils listed above, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, and
Geranium have antibacterial properties. The rest have antifungal properties as
well.

Find a few oils that appeal to
you and try blending them in different ways until you find a blend that suits
you. Make a larger bottle and keep it on hand.

Methods for Using Oils

There are several ways you can
use essential oil blends to clean your house air.

Diffuser

Use an electric diffuser or a tea
candle diffuser (be sure to follow manufacturer directions). Mix a few drops
into the diffuser to clean and disinfect the air. You can also use a cup of
steaming hot water with the essential oils dropped into it.

Room Sprays

A simple room spray using water
and essential oils is a great choice. Since water and oil do not mix, be sure
to shake vigorously before using the spray. Spray high into the air to avoid
furniture. Room sprays are great for getting stale smells out of rooms and
cleaning the air.

Add 1/2 to 1 cup of water to a
clean spray bottle (new if possible) and about 24 drops of your essential oil
blend. Tea Tree/Lemon/Eucalyptus is a highly fragrant blend that helps your
rooms smell clean and fresh.

Tissue

You can also use a couple drops
of your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend on a (paper) tissue and
inhale as needed.

A Few Suggested
Blends for Cleaning the Air

• Eucalyptus/Lavender
  – smells good and helps you relax, too!
• Eucalyptus/Geranium
• Eucalyptus/Lemon
• Eucalyptus/Lemon/Thyme
• Lavender/Geranium/Lemon
• Clove/Cinnamon/Thyme
• Tea
  Tree/Lemon

Essential Oil
Precautions

If you live in the same space as a pregnant or breastfeeding woman,
you should not use any essential oil in any amount. It is still unknown
how exactly essential oils can affect pregnant women, so it’s best to avoid
using them during pregnancy to be safe.

You also should not use essential oils on children, especially
those younger than seven years old. Essential oils can be quite powerful, and
it’s possible that children have not yet developed a resistance to the more
intense effects.

Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin. Always use a
carrier oil and blend before application.

Purifying
your indoor air is important to your health and is easy to do. You can take a proactive approach and
find a natural, safe, and proven alternative using natural essential oils. Let
these antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial essential oils help
keep harmful microbes at bay.

How do you purify your home air? Do
you use essential oils? What method have you tried? What results have you
noticed? Please share your experience with our community.