The Art of Aromatherapy: Essential Oil Blends & How to Use Them

The Art of Aromatherapy: Essential Oil Blends & How to Use Them

Why Essential Oils?

Essential oils have been used for centuries to support wellbeing, freshen the home, and create a sense of calm or energy.

A few quality oils, a good diffuser, and a little curiosity is all it takes.

At The Village Refill, we stock a curated range of certified organic essential oils from UK brands — pure, responsibly sourced, organic and free from synthetic additives.

Our Essential Oils

Ways to Use Essential Oils at Home

Inhale Straight from the Bottle

The simplest method of all — and often underrated. Open the bottle, hold it a few centimetres from your nose, and breathe in slowly. Particularly useful for a quick moment of calm, clearing a stuffy head, or a burst of focus mid-afternoon. Try Peppermint for alertness, Lavender for calm, or Eucalyptus when you need to breathe more easily.

Use a Diffuser

Diffusing is the most popular way to fill a room with scent. Here's what we stock:

Diffuser Blend Recipes

For a standard 100ml water diffuser. Start with fewer drops than you think — a little goes a long way.

Make Your Own Roll-On Perfume

A roll-on perfume is one of the easiest and most satisfying things to make. Portable, plastic-free, and completely personal to you.

What you need: Amber Rollette Bottle (10ml) · Organic Jojoba Oil or Sweet Almond Oil · 10–12 drops of essential oils · Stainless Steel Mini Funnel (handy for filling without spills)

How to make it: Add your essential oil drops to the rollette bottle using the mini funnel, then top up with carrier oil. Pop the roller ball back on, give it a gentle shake, and it's ready. Apply to pulse points — wrists, neck, behind the ears.

Blend ideas:

Make Your Own Room Spray

A natural alternative to synthetic air fresheners — no propellants, no mystery ingredients.

What you need: Glass Bottle with Atomiser (100ml) · 20–25 drops of essential oils · A small splash of vodka or witch hazel · Distilled or cooled boiled water · Stainless Steel Mini Funnel

How to make it: Add your essential oils and alcohol to the bottle first, swirl, then top up with water. Shake well before each use.

Blend ideas:

Make Your Own Reed Diffuser Oil

Reed diffusers are a low-effort, long-lasting way to scent a room. Make your own and refill the same bottle again and again.

What you need: 100ml bottle · Diffuser Reeds · Sweet Almond Oil  (~70ml) · 30–40 drops of essential oils · Stainless Steel Mini Funnel

How to make it: Combine your carrier oil, essential oils, and alcohol (if using) in the bottle. Insert the reeds and allow a few hours for the scent to develop. Flip the reeds every few days to refresh.

Blend ideas:

Natural Cleaning with Essential Oils

Many essential oils have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, making them brilliant additions to homemade cleaning products.

All-purpose surface spray: Fill a glass spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar, then add 15 drops Lemon + 10 drops Eucalyptus + 5 drops Peppermint. Shake before use. Safe on most hard surfaces — avoid marble and natural stone.

Bathroom freshener spray: 15 drops Eucalyptus + 10 drops Rosemary + 5 drops Clove in a water-and-alcohol base.

Laundry boost: Add 5–10 drops of Lavender or Lemongrass directly to your washing machine drum (not the drawer) before a cycle.

Natural Insect Repellent

Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Clove, and Geranium are all well-known for deterring insects — without the harsh chemicals found in conventional repellents.

DIY body repellent spray: In a 100ml glass atomiser, combine 60ml water + 30ml witch hazel + 10 drops Lemongrass + 8 drops Eucalyptus + 5 drops Geranium. Shake well and apply to exposed skin. Reapply every couple of hours.

DIY roll-on repellent: Fill an Amber Rollette Bottle with Jojoba Oil and add 8 drops Lemongrass + 5 drops Peppermint + 4 drops Clove. Apply to wrists, ankles, and neck.

Room deterrent: Diffuse Lemongrass or Eucalyptus near open windows and doors during summer evenings.

Note: always dilute essential oils before applying to skin, and do a patch test first. Avoid use on young children without checking age-appropriate dilution guidelines.

A Note on Safety: Pets, Pregnancy & What to Avoid

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Essential oils can be powerful during pregnancy and some should be avoided entirely, particularly in the first trimester. Oils to use with caution or avoid include Clove, Rosemary, and Peppermint. Always consult your midwife or GP before using essential oils during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding.

Pets

Cats and dogs process essential oils very differently to humans — their livers lack the enzymes needed to metabolise certain compounds, which can make some oils toxic to them.

  • Cats are particularly sensitive. Avoid diffusing Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lemon, Lemongrass, Clove, and Patchouli around them.
  • Dogs can tolerate more, but Clove, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus should still be used with care. Never apply oils directly to a pet's skin or coat without veterinary guidance.
  • Always ensure rooms are well ventilated and your pet can leave freely when diffusing.

General Safety

  • Always dilute before applying to skin — never use undiluted essential oils directly.
  • Do a patch test before using a new blend on skin.
  • Keep out of reach of children and away from eyes and mucous membranes.
  • If in doubt, consult a qualified aromatherapist.

A Note on Quality

Our essential oils are certified organic, 100% pure, sourced from trusted UK brands and come in 10ml glass bottles - the purity and potency of what's inside means a little goes a very long way.

New to essential oils? Our ready-made Essential Oil Blend is a great starting point. Or if you want to go deeper, Aromatherapy in Practice is a brilliant guide to have on your shelf.

Have a favourite blend or recipe of your own? We'd love to hear it — share it with us on Instagram or drop us a message.

Back to blog