In spring you scrubbed your house from top to bottom. Now that summer is here, let’s take Mother Nature’s best outside. Check out these tips for getting your outdoor space ready for porch chats, BBQ bashes, and hammock hangs with essential oils.
Grill cleaner
Get stuck-on grease and grime off your grill! That way, your kebobs taste like culinary works of art, not last year’s patties.
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons natural dish detergent
- 5 drops Lemon
- Distilled white vinegar
Combine the baking soda, dish detergent, and Lemon. Add vinegar until the mixture has the consistency of olive oil. Brush onto your grill and wait 15─30 minutes. Scrub with a damp scouring pad or grill brush, then rinse with water.
Outdoor cushions refresh
Does your patio furniture smell funky after being stored for the winter? Try two different ways to get your cushions ready for your next family party or read-a-thon.
Refreshing spray:
Fill a glass spray bottle half full of rubbing alcohol, add 10─15 drops of your favorite essential oil (we recommend Lavender for its universally appealing, floral scent), and fill the rest with water. Shake to combine. Spray on your cushions and let dry.
DIY freshening powder:
-
- ½ cup baking soda
- 36 drops Lemon
- 36 drops Tea Tree
Mix all ingredients until a damp powder forms. Sprinkle on fabric cushions and let sit for 10 minutes before vacuuming it up.
DIY patio diffuser
Love your diffuser but don’t have a way to plug it in outside? You can create your own no-outlet-needed patio diffuser to infuse the summer air with sweet, complementary scents.
- Mason jars
- Cheesecloth
- Coarse salt (sea salt or Himalayan salt work well)
Fill your mason jars with salt and add 20─30 drops of essential oil; then stretch cheesecloth underneath the lid ring. Why so much oil? Since there is no water or steam to diffuse the essential oils into the air, you’ll need a little more oil to get the full effect.
Don’t know which scents to start with? Here are our suggestions that are sure to remind you of sunny days every time you catch the aroma:
Bring the outdoors in
If you don’t have an outdoor space to use, you can invite nature’s fresh scents inside. Just open the windows and diffuse one of these blends and you’ll feel like you’re sipping lemonade on a picnic blanket in no time.
Beach Day
For when you’re craving a bit of sea spray, mix vivacious Lime, soft Lavender, and sweet yet sharp Spearmint.
- 2 drops Lime
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Spearmint
Meadow Musings
For when you’re looking to surround yourself in flora and fauna, combine floral Geranium, balmy Frankincense, zesty Grapefruit, and bright Lemongrass.
- 3 drops Geranium
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 3 drops Grapefruit
- 1 drop Lemongrass
Blog from Young Living