If you start down the path of enjoying essential oils {which I highly recommend}, you will find yourself with little empty oils bottles around the house. At first it’s just one or two because you’re new to oils and don’t go through any of them too quickly. A year later, you realize that you might need to do something with that bottle stash. That was my experience, anyway. Turns out cleaning your bottles is pretty straightforward. It’s also pretty helpful when you get into making all sorts of roll-on remedies for yourself & friends, and saves you from having to buy new bottles.
There’s not a whole lot you need to clean your bottles. I do mine in small batches and include everything {lids, bottles, inserts).
- First, peel off the labels. The Young Living ones come off pretty easily. I rub a tiny bit of lemon oil on the outside of the bottle to remove any remaining sticky bits.
- Place the bottles, lids & inserts loose into a large bowl, or pot {I use an extra large glass measuring cup}. Pour boiling water over everything and let sit for 15-20 mins.
- Remove bottles, lids & inserts and let air dry on a towel.
- Don’t dump that water out!! Pour into a large mason jar and enjoy it in your diffuser as a “mystery blend”. Different every time!
Now, there’s two additional steps you can take, if you’re finding some bottles or lids still have quite a bit of residual smell {I find the peppermint bottles the hardest to get clean}.
- Place bottles, lids & inserts back into a bowl. Pour fresh hot/boiling water over them. Add a little bit of Thieves Household Cleaner and let sit for 15-20 mins. Air dry.
- For the most stubborn scents – Place bottles, lids & inserts back into a bowl. Pour fresh hot/boiling water over them. Add some vinegar and let sit for 15-20 mins. Rinse. Air dry.
Now you have clean, fresh bottles to use in your essential oils adventures. I use some of mine to make roll-on remedies {purchased the roll-on inserts from Young Living}. You can create your own perfume to wear. You can also divide up your oils collection, so that you can have some in your car and purse, to use where ever and whenever you need.