Let’s make the kitchen a place of relaxation!
The kitchen is a workhorse that we have to use every day – and sometimes more often than we would like. Essential oils will help keep it clean, fresh and comfortable, because not only do they smell great, but they also help to degrease and disinfect surfaces – and this is very important for places where we prepare food. So here’s how to use them!
To wash counters
The worktop is the largest horizontal surface in the kitchen. As long as it is dirty, the whole room will remain the same – that is why it is very important to keep this area in perfect order.
Essential oils will help you cope with the task: it is better to give preference to lemon, pine, grapefruit, thyme, tea tree and lavender – they combine well with the aromas of pastries and other dishes.
Here’s our favorite homemade spray recipe: all you need is vinegar, water, and essential oil.
- Mix a quarter cup of 9% white vinegar and the same amount of water in a spray bottle.
- Add 20 drops of essential oil and shake the spray bottle to mix everything.
- Spray the product on the work surface, count to 10 and wipe with a cloth.
- Enjoy: your worktop is clean and the kitchen is filled with a delicious aroma!
ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUED BELOW
For cooking
Let’s start with the basics: not all essential oils are safe to ingest—check the label and make sure yours is food grade. Commonly used in cooking are basil, coriander, lime, bergamot, dill, marjoram, black pepper, fennel, orange, cardamom, ginger, oregano, cassia, grapefruit, peppermint, cilantro, lavender, rosemary, cinnamon, lemon, mint, cloves, lemongrass, and thyme.
There are three reasons why chefs add essential oils to their dishes. First, the necessary herbs are not always available not only in the refrigerator, but also in the nearest supermarket. Second, sometimes the recipe includes a rare ingredient and it is easier to get the oil than the plant. Third, if you want a burst of flavor (it is much easier to add a drop of lavender oil to your ice cream than a bunch).
How much oil should I use instead of herbs?
It all depends on the specific product, but here are some guidelines to help you decide on the amount.
- One drop of citrus oil can replace one teaspoon of zest. If a dish calls for the zest of a whole fruit, use about 8 to 10 drops of oil.
- When it comes to peppermint and spearmint, one drop can replace one teaspoon of dried leaves and one tablespoon of fresh leaves.
- One drop of cinnamon essential oil should be used instead of one tablespoon of dry ground spice.
- Keep in mind: what we call cinnamon is usually cassia. The smell of cinnamon and cassia essential oils is similar, the replacement proportions are the same, but the taste will be different.
- For vegetable oils – dill, basil, coriander, rosemary, etc. – you need very little oil: dip a toothpick in it, then stir the products with it.
- Floral oils like lavender should also be used sparingly, adding only a small accent to the dish. It’s also best to start with a toothpick.
- For other flavors, the average standard is calculated using the formula “one drop of essential oil = one teaspoon of dried spices.”
When to add essential oils to a dish?
Essential oils evaporate under the influence of heat, so they should be added at the very end of cooking, when the dish has cooled or before serving. For strong flavors, the rule is reversed: strong oils like thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil and oregano will benefit from cooking – the flavor will be milder, so add them halfway through cooking.
To deodorize the refrigerator
Don’t put away the countertop spray: it will come in handy when you clean the fridge. But that’s not all: mix 100 grams of baking soda, 50 grams of sea salt and 20 to 30 drops of essential oil, pour them into a jar – no need to close it – and place it on the fridge rack against the back wall. Change the resulting deodorant every two to three months – and a week-old chicken will never give off an unpleasant smell. (Hm, is it really good? Just in case, we remind you: you should clean the fridge once every seven days.)
To clean floors
