I have seen where someone puts tea tree oil in w/ their homemade general cleaner. Is this an essential oil? I would like to start making my own cleaners after I run out, but would like a pleasant smell. I have seen on target's website that their essential oils in the Health department can damage plastic, painted, etc. surfaces and was wondering if they're safe to use in cleaners or if there is a certain oil you buy for this application? If so, where can I buy them, besides online. Any info. would be helpful.

Hi! I've never used the tea tree oil myself in any cleaning products. However, one of my friends uses it for washing her cloth (this is what I intend to do as well). She said that she buys the tea tree oil at health food stores - Trader Joes here. Hope that helps a little bit!

Sorry, I meant to say cloth diapers....when our baby is born, this is my intention as well!

I think you can use essential oils on hard, nonporous surfaces. I've made sink cleaner before using my grapefruit oil (I like the smell!) and baking soda. You can get them at health food stores too in a variety of fragrances.

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I've used Tea Tree oil (a few drops) in my vinegar water which I use all over the house for disinfecting. You can buy it at Wal-greens, Target, health food stores, etc. Look in the vitamin/supplement section. I've also used tea tree oil in the laundry. I'd once read that Solu-Mel (which is a melaleuca product, and melaleuca is another word for tea tree) would take sharpie marker out of fabric, so I tried it.....helped, but didn't take it completely out.

Grapefruit is one of my favorite smells though! I may have to see if I can find that at our health food store!! Thanks for that idea!

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what does tea tree oil smell like anyways?

It's hard to explain what it smells like but it can be disgusting if not diluted! I just used it in the vaporizer for my kids as they have terrible colds/coughs, I mixed it in their baths as well along with lobelia and eucalyptus. I read somewhere there are many, many uses for it, I forget where though-sorry!
Anyway, I've never used in homemade cleaners, sorry couldn't be more help!

I'm going to guess that orange oil would be a safe bet if you like the citrus smell. I've seen lots of store bought cleaners that have orange oil in them!