I was cleaning out the medicine cabinet last week (something everyone should do every six months, at least). Anyway, I found a bottle of Tea Tree Oil. I had no idea what the oil is used for and it took me a few minutes to recall why I bought it in the first place.

Two summers ago, I got bit up pretty bad by sand flies while sitting on the beach. The pesky bites got red and itched like crazy. My friend suggested I purchase tea tree oil from the natural foods store, which happened to be down the street from our Inn. I did, it didn’t help the bites.

So, as I said, last week I was holding this bottle of oil in my hand, no expiration date, and I’m wondering what to do with it. What do other people use it for? So, here are some suggestions from Tree Hugger:

Farewell, Mustiness
I just liberated a bunch of belongings from storage this week. They needed some help airing out. Since green dry cleaners can be hard to find, it’s nice to have a safe way to freshen up fabrics. For things like decorative pillows and curtains that can’t be laundered, a spray bottle with two cups of water and two tablespoons of tea tree oil works wonders. Spray the stale-smelling area and leave it. Within a few days, both the musty scent and the tea tree smell will be gone. I’ve also done this a few days before packing a suit case that’s been out of use for months.

Heal, You Abrasion
When I was unloading a box from the storage unit, I scraped my hand. A direct application of the oil helps heal and disinfect.

Stay Fresh, Mouth
A drop of tea tree oil in a glass of water makes a good mouth wash. You can also gargle it to help fend off illness. Just be sure not to swallow.

Don’t Offend, Feet
I like my shoes to last a long time, and I like to go sockless. To keep the shoes’ insides fresh, I often rub some oil on my feet before subjecting them to a day of oxygenless urban traipsing. Definitely beats using scary aerosol sprays.

Though it’s a wildly helpful substance, you want to keep tea tree oil away from the kids and, again, avoid swallowing it.

Interesting, huh!