Using Essential Oils to Clean Air: Learn How

Times are changing drastically. While just decades ago we didn’t even think about the air quality, today we are in desperate need of air purifiers and filters. The increasing amount of pollutants in the air has led to air toxicity and phenomena such as smog, which pose a threat to the environment, and cause many health issues. 

According to a report by WHO, ambient air pollution leads to an average of 4.2 million deaths per year. The causes of these deaths are health issues arising from impure air, such as heart diseases, stroke, lung cancer, chronic pulmonary disease, acute respiratory infections, etc.  

Air pollution has increased drastically. Even in our house or office, we are unsure about the quality of the air that we are breathing. In metropolitan cities, the air quality has become very poor due to the increased industrialization and traffic. So, people are relying heavily on air purifiers and natural solutions, such as essential oils, to clean the air. 

If you’re considering trying the latter, let me help you with some insights. As an aromatherapy aficionado, I have been looking into numerous uses of essential oils lately. And cleaning the air is, surprisingly, one of them. So, let’s look into how you can use essential oils to clean air:

Table Of Contents:

• Essential oils and their benefits
• How do essential oils help purify the air?
• The best air purifying essential oils

Essential oils – The basics, types, and benefits

Popularly used as effective home remedies for many ailments, essential oils are anything but new! They have been used for ages and are one of the main ingredients in many traditional medicine practices. 

Essential oils are extracted from various parts of different plants, and they cannot be reproduced in a laboratory, although some fragrance oils with similar scents are being produced. 

There are many types of essential oils available out there, having different benefits and qualities. Some of the most known and loved essential oils are: tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, lemon oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, ylang-ylang oil, basil oil and geranium oil. 

From being used for aromatherapy, in spas and for the treatment of skin and hair problems, to being used as perfumes and room fresheners, the benefits and uses of essential oils are countless. But let’s get back to how we can use essential oils to clean the air.

How do essential oils help purify the air?

Essential oils are not just oils, but they are effective remedies packed in tiny glass bottles. Well-known for their anti-fungal and anti-microbial qualities, these oils are can help with various skin problems, scalp issues, hair problems, etc. The pleasant aroma of essential oils also helps relieve anxiety and stress, and helps you deal with issues like insomnia. Essential oils are also widely used in the cosmetic industry for their benefits for the skin & hair, but also for their wonderful scent. 

Now, coming back to the anti-fungal and anti-microbial nature of essential oils, it has been studied that these oils effectively fight against human pathogens. In another study, it was observed that essential oils, when added to the impure air samples, helped inhibit the growth of airborne bacteria. So, essential oils can indeed be effective in cleaning and purifying the air. But what and how can you use essential oils to clean the air?

The best air purifying essential oils 

Let’s have a look at the different essential oils that can be used as natural air purifiers:

Tea Tree Oil

Widely known and used for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, Tea Tree oil helps keep the air around you pure and smelling fresh, while also promoting the health of the respiratory system. 

Citrus Oils 

This category of oils includes lemon oil, grapefruit oil, bergamot and sweet orange oil. These oils help keep the air fresh and clean and, as a bonus, they give you a boost of energy. 

Cinnamon and Lemongrass Oils 

I particularly like the spicy and lemony notes of this blend, which works well on disinfecting your surroundings and purifying the air.

Conifer oils, such as Cedarwood essential oil 

They are rich in pinene, a chemical compound known for its antibacterial properties. These oils are well-known for promoting the health of the respiratory system, especially the lungs. With their woody accents, these oils give your house a cozy feeling. 

Ylang Ylang Oil

This oil is another good friend of your respiratory system, helping you breathe in the fresh air as it fights pollutants present in the air. It is one of the widely-used essential oils to clean the air. 

WOW Purify Essential Oil Blend

A mix of 7 potent essential oils, such as rosemary, juniper, tea tree and thyme, this blend helps disinfect your surroundings by eliminating viruses, bacteria and fungi. Diffuse a few drops in an ultrasonic or tea candle diffuser or add a few drops to some water, in a spray bottle, and spray all around your home. 

Using essential oils for air purification

To purify the air in your home or a small office, you can simply use a diffuser. Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil from the list above and let it do its job. Along with fighting pathogens, essential oils will leave your home or office smelling amazing.