Have you ever heard of the tea tree oil? This oil comes from the Melaleuca afternifolia tree that is quite common in Australia. The oil has powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties and has been commonly used to prevent infections and accelerate the healing of wounds by Aborigines. Science has later confirmed all the benefits of the oil and it’s now a part of most households.
Tea tree oil is a common part of various cosmetic products, nail creams, shampoos and skin creams thanks to its positive effects on our health.
It’s even more powerful on its own, which is why we recommend keeping a bottle in your medicine cabinet at all times. It can be easily found in any health store and is reasonably priced, so there’s really no reason why you should avoid it.
Here’s how the oil can help:
1. A powerful natural disinfectant
We’re already said that the Aborigines used tea tree oil thanks to its antiseptic properties. It is a powerful disinfectant which can clean the air in your home and help you recover after an illness. All you need to do is add a few drops in a humidifier and turn it on – it will eliminate all bacteria and toxins in the air while leaving a fresh smell behind.
2. Destroys germs on clothes
If you want to disinfect your clothes, all you need to do is add a bit of tea tree oil in your next laundry load. They will be cleaner than even before and smell great as well.
3. Disinfect your dishes
If you want to keep your dishes squeaky clean, add a couple drops of tea tree oil to your liquid soap dispenser. The next time you wash them, the oil will destroy all the bacteria on their surface and make them smell nice.
4. An all-round cleaner
Tea tree oil isn’t just effective for your laundry and dishes – in fact, it’s a powerful all-round cleaner. Mix a few drops with a tablespoon of vinegar and Borax, then pour the mixture in a spray bottle and use it to clean and disinfect every surface in your home.
5. Repels ants and other insects
Instead of calling the exterminator or using chemical-laden commercial products, you can safely use tea tree oil to eliminate the ants in your home. Just spray a mixture of tea tree oil and water in the areas frequented by the pests and pay special attention to your cupboards. The same method works great against cockroaches as well.
6. Eliminates mold
Mold growing on your walls can be pretty dangerous and difficult to remove but using tea tree oil in a diffuser can certainly help. Just turn it on in the affected rooms to eliminate the mold and kill its spores in the air. You can also mix a bit of the oil with some water in a spray bottle and spray your shower curtains, washing machine and dishes to prevent mold from growing on them.
7. Perfect for your hair
Due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, tea tree oil is great for your hair. Rub a bit on your scalp to eliminate infections such as dandruff and treat other problems as well. You can also add some in your shampoo with a bit of coconut and lavender oil for easier use.
WARNING
Although safe for both children and adults, people with sensitive skin should be wary of using tea tree oil. If your skin is too sensitive, make a small test on a smaller patch of your skin to ensure there’s no reaction. If there isn’t you can proceed using the oil in any way you like.
