5 Smart Housekeeping Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil

Australian tea tree oil is a broad spectrum germicide, fungicide, and bacteriacide.

The essential oil known as “tea tree oil” comes from the melaleuca tree, a shrub/tree that has needle-like leaves. There are 100 varieties of melaleuca, but for the purposes of this discussion we are speaking of Australian tea tree oil, or melaleuca alternifolia.

Tea tree oil has many uses for housekeeping. You can prove to yourself how well it works to kill mold and mildew with this simple test: Put 2 teaspoons of Australian tea tree oil in a spray bottle with two cups of water. Don’t rinse. Spray the mixture on something musty. Let the smell dissipate (it will take a few days). The smell of mold and must will be gone, too, never to return as long as the source of moisture has been removed.

Here are five smart ways to use Australian tea tree oil at home:

1. General Tea Tree Oil Spray
As mentioned above, combine 2 teaspoons of Australian tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray on mold and don’t rinse. The smell will dissipate in a few days.

2. Tea Tree Oil Grout Spray
Using the same formula as in #1, spray grout to repel mold and mildew. While this formula won’t take away the mold discoloration, it will kill the mold.

3. Musty Mold Remover
The must will be removed from anything using the above formula. Just don’t rinse.

4. Household Antiseptic Spray
Use the above formula to spray areas that need antiseptic attention, such as after someone has vomited.

5. Laundry Helper
Add 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and other fabric prone to getting moldy.

Read more: Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Juer J.

1:35AM PDT on May 2, 2012

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Donna H.

8:28AM PST on Mar 3, 2012

Thanks for the info.

Glenn B.

5:43AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

never would have thought about these uses - appreciate it

Pinke A.

5:33PM PST on Jan 29, 2012

@Mary Beth M. sorry but you are wrong about the diluting. Not needed at all. I have used the Tea Tree Oil about 20 years(since my sis moved to Australia)
We have it everywhere. I also have it lotion,cream etc. In the package they say:Apply on minor cuts,pimples(using a cotton bud spot dab each pimple 3 times daily with one drop of Tea Tree Oil),blocked nose/sinus Sprinkle 3 drops on pillow or hanky &inhale. Nail infections,soak nail with oil& massage in twice daily. Insect bites,dab on oil twice daily. Athletes foot(irritated between toes) Wash and dry feet thoroughly,apply oil twice daily.
My experience is,that in most cases even once a day will do. It even bites on fungus in nails!! That will take some time,but works.

Tina M.

9:12PM PST on Jan 18, 2012

My son had a nasty staph infection under his arms and around his mouth. Tea tree oil worked like a charm! After 3 days of use, infection was completely gone. I will never go without a bottle of this amazing stuff in the house.

Emma F.

12:14PM PST on Jan 17, 2012

I use tea tree oil from first aid to cleaning, it makes a big difference in our place.

James F.

7:10PM PST on Jan 2, 2012

Dont trust yourself in mixing the oil? There is a Company called Melaleuca that manufactures many different products that have The Tee Tree oil (Melaleuca quinquenervia tree) and they are all natural products and use the highest quality Tee Tree (Melaleuca oil) available on the market. They manufacture cleaning products, bath products and even have a great whitening tooth polish and mouth wash and yes it has Tee Tree oil in it. The mouth wash works better than meds for cold sores. Great products at reasonable prices and super concentrated to save the environment from plastics which save money as well. Let me show you how to get it. www.better4us.us or go to my page here.

Carole R.

5:05PM PST on Jan 2, 2012

Thanks for the suggestions. I liked Santanita's even better.

Brenda T.

6:18AM PST on Jan 2, 2012

Thankyou.