Sense About Your Signature Scents

This one's going to be a bit shorter than most of my blogs.  Let's start with the fact that fabric softners (and some liquid laundry detergents) are getting on the aromatherapy bandwagon, Downy being the leader with - currently - five different scents to "fit your mood."

I'm not big on using synthetically produced scents to "scent" my clothes, mostly because I don't want the scent of my laundry soap to clash with (or overpower) whatever perfume I want to wear (which is why I never have understood why scented deoderant for your ARMPITS was so dang popular!  I'm sorry, it's just not romantic to me for some guy to say "My, you smell wonderfull!" and have to reply "Yes, it's Passionate Plum for your pits!")  ANYway, as I was getting around to saying, I do want my clothes to smell nice.  I also want to have a "signature scent" that makes someone remember me or tell me I smell nice and ask what perfume I'm wearing (don't we all, ladies?)

The answer is simple:  essential oils!

Whenever I do my laundry, I simply add about 6 to 10 drops of my favorite essential oil to the water.  Once the clothing has gone thru washer and dryer, then cooled to be hung or folded, you don't smell the oil.  Even after you put your clothing on, you don't smell the oil.  However, as your body heat begins to warm your clothing, the scent from the oil begins to escape and you are surrounded by a softer version of the oils' scent.  Others can smell it as you walk by, or even as you sit and talk to them, but it's not overpowering and it does make an impression!  (and you still don't smell it, so it's a bit of a nice surprise to have someone tell you "boy, you smell nice!")

HOWEVER!  You do want to be careful which oil you use, how you put it into your laundry and how much of it you use.  Here's a basic outline/plan for you to follow if you choose to try this at home (I don't really recommend this if you have to use a public laundromat... others might get - testy - if you "share" your signature scent that way)

1st, go to your favorite health food store and find the essential oils section.  They usually have sample bottles out so you're able to open them to see which scent appeals to you on the I-want-this-as-a-perfume basis. 

~~Word of warning, our olfactory senses can only handle about 3 or 4 scents and we clog up. If you want to test several of the oils, I suggest taking a small tin of some type with unbrewed coffee grounds in it. Believe it or not, fresh coffee grounds clear the sinuses and you can test another 3 or 4 oils before having to clear your nose again!~~

Once you've found the scent that appeals to you (stick to the .5oz bottles, these things last for months) buy it and take it home.  When it comes time for your next load of laundry you can add it to the water.  Just be sure you don't drop the oil onto the clothing themselves.  That could leave a stain behind.  For those with a front-loader washing machine (like myself) you can put several drops (3 to 5, depending on size of load) into the detergent port as the water starts rushing through (after it's cleaned out the detergent).  I also add about 3 drops into the fabric softner dispenser when I have a large load.  Just remember, the stronger the scent is to you, the less you'll want to use.  In fact, it might be good to start with only 2 or 3 drops per load until you find out how the scent carries for you.

For those of you with top-loader machines, I suggest putting the drops into the fabric softner dispenser instead of trying to get the drops to mix as the water starts spouting in.  It's just better not to take the chance you'll get oil spots on your clothes.

I've had several complements about my "perfume" since I've started doing this (I chose Patchouli for it's rich, earthy scent) and I even had one man ask me if there were any "manly oils" so guys could add them to their wash.... not... real sure about that.  How-some-ever, if you men want to do this, I have no objections.  Just, please, take a female friend or your sister (if you don't want to ask Mom) to help you choose the oil.  It's not that I doubt your sense of smell, understand, but it's always nice to have a lady-friend who can tell "This makes me think of you" or "No, I don't think 'King Kong' is the scent you're going for!"  Whichever oil you choose, folks, don't be afraid to experiment slightly ~ but do be money-wise.  If you're not 100% sure you like a scent, don't buy it.  Some of these oils are more difficult to process and produce and are, therefore, more expensive.

Aromatherapy as a Signature Scent.... now laundry can be enjoyed again!

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Okay... maybe not so much; but you can add an element of mystery, eh!?