Have you used Melaleuca (aka Tea Tree Oil) before?  If so, you are probably already aware of some of the amazing benefits this oil offers.  Did you know you can use Melaleuca oil to keep your fingernails and toenails looking and feeling healthy? Reap the benefits of Tea Tree oil for nails by applying some oil to your fingernails and toenails after you get out of the shower to keep them looking strong and healthy. When using Tea Tree oil topically, first dilute with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to prevent against any skin sensitivity, and then apply a few drops to your skin.

Here are some ways we use doTERRA Melaleuca Essential Oil in our own home:

• Several drops added to the bottom of my steam mop pad before steaming our tile
• 5-6 Drops added to my diffuser to purify the air
• Added to my DIY Cleaning Spray to help cleanse and purify surfaces
• Added to warm water when using my all-time favorite Brookstone Foot Spa
• A few drops added to my bath water
• As an ingredient in my DIY Soothing Throat Spray
• As an optional oil added to my DIY Bath & Foot Soak Recipe

The above are just a few examples I could think of as I was typing this post.  Here is another tried and true favorite DIY recipe that we use almost daily in our home.

DIY Moisturizing Soothing Skin Spray
(10) drops Melaleuca
(10) drops Lavender essential
(1) teaspoon of Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO)
Distilled Water

Directions:
Add your essential oils and FCO to a 2-ounce spray bottle and top off with distilled water.  Spray over your skin as needed.  This makes an excellent after sun spray!  I even use this same spray after applying my makeup as a setting spray.  Can also be used as an everyday moisturizer, and for minor scrapes or skin discomfort.

When shopping for Tea Tree oil, you’ll want to ensure that the oil you choose is pure and high quality, in order to yield the benefits that the oil holds. Each doTERRA essential oil, including Melaleuca, is responsibly sourced, tested, and produced in a way that guarantees a high quality grade.

I made this DIY All-Natural Cleaning Spray in less than two minutes!  I love a clean house and have tested this in my own home.  You can use this to clean your counters, appliances, sinks, bathrooms, etc.  Since it contains vinegar, I have not tested it on wooden surfaces.  It is much safer than store bought cleaners, smells great and in my opinion it cleans just as well, if not better.

It was super easy to make.  The glass bottles are from Amazon.  The spray was made using 1 cup of vinegar, distilled water and 21 drops of essential oils.  That's it! Easy-peasy.

Here is the recipe for my DIY All-Natural Cleaning Spray

Add the following ingredients to a 16 ounce glass bottle:

1 Cup of Vinegar
11 Drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil
5 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil
5 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
Top off with Distilled Water

Shake gently and get to cleaning - Your nose will thank you!

This is a basic and super simple  DIY Foaming Hand Soap recipe you can customize to suit your own needs.  Please note - You do not need to use the exact brands I have chosen for my own DIY Foaming Hand Soap, they are just listed as an easy reference in case you need a place to start.  Almost all of the supplies for my version of this soap were purchased from Amazon (hello, Amazon Prime!) and/or the grocery store.

Here's what you will need:

• Any 8 to 10 ounce foaming hand soap dispenser (you can use a brand new one or any previously used dispenser you have around the house.  I've recycled some of my Bath & Body Works foaming hand soap dispensers and they seem to work great).
• 1/4 Cup of Pure Castile Liquid Soap (I prefer to use Dr. Bronner's brand Castile Soaps.  I have used both the Peppermint and Unscented versions with great success).
• 1 Tablespoon of Sweet Almond Oil (I prefer the Now brand).
• 1 Tablespoon of Vegetable Glycerin (I use the Now brand).
• Distilled Water (I use the Arrowhead brand of distilled water).
• Optional: 10-15 drops of Essential Oil(s)

Directions:  Measure the liquid castile soap, sweet almond oil and vegetable glycerin and add them to your foaming hand soap container.  I use a small funnel to make things easy and less messy.  Finally, top off with the distilled water.  Be sure to leave about an inch or so of space to allow room for the soap pump to fit without making the soap spill over the top.  Shake gently to mix the ingredients. 

Here are some scent combinations our family uses:
Unscented DIY Foaming Hand Soap
If you use the unscented liquid castile soap and do not add any essential oils, it is truly unscented.  I do not notice any weird scent at all.  I have super sensitive skin and am highly sensitive to most fragrance, so I actually like this version a lot.

Peppermint DIY Foaming Hand Soap
If you use the Peppermint liquid castile soap, the soap will have a slight peppermint scent with a tingly feel after you wash your hands.

Eucalyptus Peppermint DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Use the above recipe with the Peppermint liquid castile soap and add 10-15 drops of Eucalyptus oil to the mixture.  I make this for my husband's bathroom and it has been a hit.

Cinnamon Clove DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Using the unscented version of this recipe, add 5-8 drops of Cinnamon Essential Oil and 3 drops of Clove Essential Oil.  This oil combination reminds me of Fall.

Please remember - less is more.  If you are unsure of how a specific essential oil or ingredient will affect you, please try a small amount to make sure you do not have any sensitivity issues.

The original version of this recipe was obtained from One Essential Community.