Bath Oils and Their Various Uses

by Anita R Choudhary

Bath oil is any concentrated, hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. They are also known as volatile or ethereal oils, or simply as the "oil of" the plant material from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. The term essential indicates that the oil carries distinctive scent (essence) of the plant, not that it is an especially important or fundamental substance.

Essential oils do not need to have any specific chemical properties in common, beyond conveying characteristic fragrances. They are not to be confused with essential fatty acids. Bath oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes include expression, or solvent extraction. They are used in perfumes and cosmetics, for flavoring food and drink, and for scenting incense and household cleaning products.

1. Get rid of those sticky leftover adhesive marks from bandages, price tags, and labels. Rub them away with a bit of bath oil applied to a cotton ball. It works great on glass, metal, and most plastics.

2. Heat 1/2 cup bath oil mixed with 1/2 cup water on High in your microwave for 30 seconds. Place the solution in a deep bowl and soak your fingers or toes in it for 10-15 minutes to soften cuticles or calluses. After drying, use a pumice stone to smooth over calluses or a file to push down cuticles.

3. When moisture seeps in between stacked glasses, separating them can get mighty tough. Apply a few drops of bath oil along the sides of the glasses. Give the oil a few minutes to work its way down, then simply slide your glasses apart.

4. If your child comes home with chewing gum in his or her hair -- or tracks a wad onto your rug or carpet, rub bath oil into the gum. It should loosen it up enough to comb out. On a carpet, test the oil on an inconspicuous area before applying to the spot.

5. You can get those annoying scuff marks off your patent-leather shoes or handbags. Apply bath oil to a clean, soft cloth or towel. Gently rub in the oil and polish with another dry towel.

6. Want to soften a new baseball glove? Apply several drops of bath oil in the midsection of the glove and a few more drops under each finger. Spread the oil around with a soft cloth and place a baseball in the pocket of the glove and fold the glove over the ball, keeping it in place with one or two belts or an Ace bandage. Let it sit for a couple of days, then release the constraints and remove any excess oil with a clean cloth. The glove should be noticeably more pliable.

7. Got grease on your hands? Try this: Rub a few squirts of bath oil onto your hands, wash them in warm, soapy water. It works, and it's a lot easier on the dermis than harsh chemicals.

8. Revitalizing vinyl upholstery is easy. Give your car's dreary-looking vinyl upholstery a makeover by using a small amount of bath oil on a soft cloth to wipe down the seats, dashboard, armrests, and other surfaces. Polish with a clean cloth to remove any excess oil. Aromatic interiors!

9.Can't find the all-purpose lubricating oil to join pipes together? No problem. A few drops of bath oil should provide sufficient lubrication to fit pipe joints together with ease.

So, there are many other interesting uses of Essential bath oils that come very handy at home!