Washing with Tea Tree Oil

Little_Miss_Penny_Less

Hi All... I'm a long time lurker on these boards, reading all the fab tips you lot have for OS living, so I'm sure you'll be able to help me with this one!

I have been told that you can wash your clothes with tea tree oil before going on holiday to dissuade mossies from attacking you! Apparently it's the same stuff that impregnates the Arnywear bandanas and sarongs you can buy from Boots to ward off mossies...

So... anyone know
a) if this would work
b) how I go about it - I'm thinking a few drops in the fabric softner drawer?
c) is there a possibility of damage to the clothes?
d) will I smell like a walking Vics vaporub advert?

fizzel81

not quite sure if what im going to say will help but anyway when i wash my nappies i also add a few drops of teatree oil, i cannot tell you if it would work to keep mossies etc away but my nappies have never had a wiff of teatree oil and it should not ruin your clothes in such a small quantity.

have you thought about using a teatree shower gel/shampoo to see if that could help them stay away

somebody else will be along im sure with better advice than me

Little_Miss_Penny_Less

Thanks for letting me know about your nappies... might be worth a try then - if it's not going to ruin the clothes or make me smell!!

Good point about the tea tree shower gel - will have a look in boots! Apparently Avon have a body lotion that puts them off too!

I'm quite keen not to buy any insect repellent spray or the like as it always seems so strong - can't be good for humans either!

KittyKate

Personally I'd wash my clothes as normal, then spray them with a light mix of water and tea tree as I hang them out to dry - otherwise I'd have thought the clean water rinse at the end of the cycle would get rid of any trace of tea tree?

belfastgirl23

Oooh this is interesting...I hate using chemical repellants too.

The Avon lotion is Skin So Soft. I'm planning on giving it a try this year.

MRSMCAWBER

I swear by tea tree oil...ooh and citronella and think they both smell scrummy (yep im strange i know)...to save cash , why not buy your usual shower gel and put tea tree in it....and in shampoo and conditioner..deters head lice too :-)
i also use the tee tree neat on bumps, bites n spots..its a cracking antiseptic
the citronella may just smell a wee less "chemical"reminds me of lemoncurd :-)..and bugs hate it....

angelavdavis

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Oooh this is interesting...I hate using chemical repellants too.

The Avon lotion is Skin So Soft. I'm planning on giving it a try this year.

Its the dry oil spray moisturiser that works for the mozzies!

Little_Miss_Penny_Less

Thanks all for your replies... think i will try putting some drops in shower gel, and maybe the watered down spray! Will let you know how I get on!

Gingham_Ribbon

I have a small patch of my scalp that is prone to dandruff. I used to dot a little tea tree oil on before using my shampoo. That might keep help? I use Wilko's tea tree shampoo now instead and it's very good (though still not perfect.)

What about dotting it on a hankie and keeping it in your pocket too?

groatie_queen

The following essential oils have been mentioned on a health website I consider to be reliable as being good for deterring mozzies:

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Citronella Oil
Cinnamon Oil
Rosemary Oil
Peppermint Oil

Be aware that if anyone has a history of seizures they should take advice from an aromatherapist, because some essential oils have been known to trigger seizures in people with epilepsy. For people for whom this is an issue, a qualified aromatherapist will be happy to tell you which ones to avoid.

Edited to say most essential oils should be diluted - take advice on this too!

HTH

GQ

dianadors

I use Tea Tree oil a lot when we are camping as it is great for warding off mozzzies - but the smell reminds me of the time the kids had nits!!! Its great for adding to kids conditioners for ensuring they dont catch the little blighters.