How to Dilute Tea Tree Oil

Using Tea Tree Oil in Your Home

Create an all-purpose cleaner. Mix 20-25 drops of tea tree oil with 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well before using. You can spray this mixture onto different surfaces, and then wipe the surface down with a clean cloth. This cleaner can be used as an all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner in kitchens and bathrooms. Always shake well before using because the oil naturally separates from the vinegar and water.

Add tea tree oil to a smelly trash can. Trash cans can develop an unpleasant scent and are a breeding ground for bacteria. Mix one cup of baking soda with 1/4-1/2 a teaspoon of tea tree oil. Use a fork to work out all of the lumps. Shake the mixture into a fresh trash bag to reduce odor. This a natural deodorizer. This deodorizer also works for diaper pails.

Eliminate mold and mildew. Mildew grows on damp, warm surfaces. It tends to be white or black in color with a fuzzy texture. Mix 5-10 drops of tea tree oil and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture and then spray onto the mildew. Allow the mixture to sit for 3-5 minutes and then wipe with a damp cloth. The tea tree oil should prevent mildew from forming in the future, but reapply the mixture as needed.

Clean your washing machine. Washing machines can develop an odor and house bacteria. Run your empty machine on the hot cycle and add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil. This will get rid of any bacteria or odor. You can also add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to a load of clothes to clean your clothes more effectively.

Create your own dryer sheets. Apply 5 drops of tea tree oil to wool dryer balls or 5 inch (12.7 cm) cotton squares (use an old T-shirt to create the homemade sheets). Add the balls or homemade dryer sheets to a load of clothes. These sheets and balls are reusable. Add a few more drops to the sheets or balls when you can no longer smell the tea tree oil.

Repel insects and pests. Many pests do not like the smell of tea tree oil. Add about 20 drops to a spray bottle and then fill the bottle with water. Shake well, and spray around doorways and cracks where insects and pests are likely to enter.

Using Tea Tree Oil on Your Body

Treat your acne. Tea tree oil can help get rid of acne-causing bacteria. Add 1-3 drops of tea tree oil to your cleanser or moisturizer. Tea tree oil can also be mixed with a teaspoon of coconut oil and applied to your face. Use a cotton swab to apply the mixture to your face and let your skin absorb it. There is good scientific evidence that tea tree oil is effective for treating acne.

Treat skin conditions. Mix 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of a carrier oil - olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil - and 8-10 drops of tea tree oil and apply to the irritated parts of your skin. This can decrease itching, irritation, and symptoms associated with eczema, water warts, and viral skin infections in both children and adults. This mixture can also be used for allergic skin reactions to nickel. More studies are needed to determine how effective this treatment is though. If you mix the tea tree oil with coconut oil, you can dilute it with apricot kernel oil. Although olive oil is an option, it can give a weird smell to your skin. Do not try to dilute the oil in water.

Add tea tree oil to your shampoo. Incorporate 3 or 4 drops of tea tree oil into your regular shampoo. This mixture helps to relieve dry flaky scalp, dandruff, and psoriasis. Add a few drops to your shampoo and wash your hair as you usually would. You can also mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil (e.g. jojoba oil, olive oil, coconut oil) and apply the mixture directly to your scalp. Leave it on for an hour, and then wash your hair as you usually would. The scientific evidence is unclear on the effectiveness of tea tree oil to treat scalp conditions.

Get rid of Athlete's foot and toenail fungus. Mix equal parts tea tree oil and olive oil and rub the mixture on the affected area twice a day. It takes about 4 weeks for the treatment to work. For toenail fungus, apply 100% tea tree oil to the infected toe, 2 times a day for 6 months. If you do not want to use undiluted tea tree oil, mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil and apply to your toe using a cotton ball. Bandage the cotton ball to your toe and leave it on overnight.

Treat a vaginal infection. Tea tree oil can be used for both bacterial and yeast infections. Apply coconut oil or olive oil to a tampon and then add 2 - 4 drops of tea tree oil. Insert the tampon, and leave it in for an hour. Do this for 3 to 5 days if symptoms continue. It is unclear how effective tea tree oil is for treating vaginal infections.

Know when to avoid tea tree oil. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or undergoing childbirth you need to avoid topical use of tea tree oil. It may decrease the strength of your contractions. If you have a known allergy or sensitivity to tea tree oil, Balsam of Peru, benzoin, colophony (rosin), tinctures, eucalyptol, or plants of the myrtle family, you should not use tea tree oil. Women should not apply tea tree oil to the breast area because it may have hormonal properties. Prepubescent boys should avoid using tea tree oil as well, as it could lead to the growth of breast tissue. If you have linear IgA, an immune disease, you should not use tea tree oil as it can cause blisters.

Be aware of possible side effects. Tea tree oil is safe when diluted properly, but side effects are possible. These symptoms include inflammation of the mouth, skin irritation (e.g. burning, itching, redness, rash, warmness), ear damage, stomach pain, fatigue and drowsiness, diarrhea, weakness, or nausea. Stop using tea tree oil immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. See a doctor if the side effects persist.