5 sticky situations you can solve with eucalyptus
One of eucalyptus oil's most famous uses - and often the first one that springs to mind - is to remove sticky labels. But have you ever wondered how it does it?
Eucalyptus oil contains many unique natural compounds, and one of its characteristics is that it is a natural solvent.
It has the ability to break down 'sticky' bonds and dissolve grease. As such it's often used in cleaning products - and in it's pure or spray form, is a very handy little helper to have around the house. Here's just a few of the sticky situations it can help you out of...
1. Chewing gum
Whether it's in a child's hair, stuck in carpet or on the bottom of a shoe, chewing gum anywhere it shouldn't be is a nightmare. To try releasing it (gently) from the child's hair, soak the strands connected to the gum in Bosisto's Eucalyptus Oil and gently slide it off. For chewing gum attached to fabric, shoes or other items, scrape as much off as possible then clean up any residue with a cloth soaked in eucalyptus. This also works for blu tack residue on walls, doors and furniture (always patch test on varnished or painted surfaces first).
2. Adhesive labels and sticker residue
Ever bought a gift for someone and tried to peel off the price sticker, only to find it's left unsightly bits of paper and residue? Eucalyptus oil to the rescue. Peel off as much of the sticker as you're able, then press the area with a cloth or cotton ball soaked with eucalyptus oil. Leave the oil to start to dissolve the bonds for a few minutes then simply scrape the residue off, being careful not to scratch your item. Repeat until all residue is gone.
This also works for old sticky tape residue, and to remove extra residue from jam jars after soaking the labels off.
3. Greasy clothes
Splashed oil on your good jeans? Spilled bacon down your front? Hubby been working on the car? Grease stains are a eucalyptus oil specialty. Use it in a spray version as a pre-wash (or, try a eucalyptus based pre-wash like this). Then pop two capfuls of eucalyptus oil in your wash (on a warm or hot cycle) to lift stubborn grease marks. For stubborn stains, soak in a bucket with 2 capfuls of eucalyptus and 1 scoop of laundry powder, mixed with warm water for a few hours prior to washing. It leaves everything smelling divine, too.
4. Craft clean-up
Eucalyptus oil is great for mopping up blobs, smears and spills from crafting activities - it helps clean up most glue residue, water-based and acrylic paint and can help clean art tools like brushes, scissors and scalpels.
5. Tar (and other stuff with cars)
You can remove tar marks from the paintwork of cars by rubbing the area with a cloth moistened with eucalyptus oil (patch test on an inconspicuous area of the paintwork first). Driveway stains can be treated with hot soapy water mixed with a few capfuls of eucalyptus oil - use a scrubbing brush to clean the affected area then rinse. Eucalyptus oil can even be used to clean dirt and debris (for example, insect residue) left on car windscreens prior to washing. Plus, it's great for cleaning your own hands if you've got petrol, oil or grease on them after car maintenance.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.