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In this post: Do you love the scent and potential germ-killing abilities of thieves essential oil? If you have a few oils on hand, you can easily make your own thieves type essential oil.

*This recipe has not been scientifically tested, nor are we at Home Made Lovely qualified to speak to its effectiveness as an antibacterial or antiviral agent. We will not be held responsible for its use. Please use common sense and good hygiene. 


If you are a fan of essential oils, you’ve probably heard of Thieves (Young Living), On Guard (DoTerra), Guardian (Eden’s Garden), Health Shield (Healing Garden), Germ Fighter (Plant Therapy) or Nature’s Shield (NOW) essential oil blends. They all have a nice spiced scent that can be used for so many different things around your home. Plus these blends of clove, rosemary, cinnamon, eucalyptus and citrus oils all have a fun story behind them. 

amber bottle with homemade thieves essential oil

History of Thieves Essential Oil

Thieves oil is based on a story from the 15th century, when Europe and Asia were being devastated by the bubonic plague. The european group of four thieves seemed completely indifferent to the disease  while robbing hundreds of corpses.  According to the story not even one of the thieves contracted the deadly and highly contagious disease. When they were finally caught and sent to court the magistrate offered them a deal – their secret for a reduced sentence.

The original Thieves essential oil comes as a vinegar and consists of a variety of aromatic herbs, such as clove, cinnamon and rosemary, as well as eucalyptus and lemon. One of the popular blends of Thieves oil based on the Thieves story is a combination of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary.

From The Savvy Age

essential oil bottles with roses

How to Make Your Own Thieves Essential Oil

I thought it would be great to share how to make your own thieves style oil blend, and all the different uses for it. If you have a handful of oils on hand, you can easily make your own Thieves Essential Oil, and reap the same amazing benefits from this wonder oil.

*This recipe has not been scientifically tested, nor are we at Home Made Lovely qualified to speak to its effectiveness as an antibacterial or antiviral agent. We will not be held responsible for its use. Please use common sense and good hygiene. 

Instructions

  1. Put these oils in a dark glass bottle, I just reuse an old essential oil bottle I have, or you can buy them easily online.
  2. Then just shake it up, and you have your own mixture to use!

amber glass essential oil bottle with text overlay for DIY thieves oil

Top 12 Household Uses for Thieves Essential Oil

*This recipe has not been scientifically tested, nor are we at Home Made Lovely qualified to speak to its effectiveness as an antibacterial or antiviral agent. We will not be held responsible for its use. Please use common sense and good hygiene. 

Diffusing

Depending on the brand of diffuser you own will depend on how much to use. A general guide is around 10-15 drops of Thieves and diffuses for 30 minutes around 3 times a day.

All-Purpose Spray

Add 1 drop of Thieves to each 1/2 ounce of water in a glass spray bottle. Shake well for each use, and use to clean counters, tables, etc. It acts like a regular all-purpose spray.

Cleaning Toys

You can add a few drops of essential oils into the washer or even the sink when you hand wash toys. This is from plastic toys to stuffed animals. This is great to do when your kiddos are sick for some extra cleaning power and a great mood-boosting scent.

Floor Cleaner

When you go to mop the floor, add around 10 drops into half a bucket of water, and use that instead of a mop cleaner.

Freshen Room

I use the all-purpose homemade cleaner and spray on the furniture, curtains, and even beds to help freshen up rooms and disinfect. Don’t put oil directly on furniture or fabrics of course.

essential oil bottles with text overlay that says diy thieves essential oil blend

Laundry

You can add 4-5 drops in each load of laundry to help really clean and deodorize your clothing. This works wonderfully with bedding, make sure to use regular or homemade laundry soap as well.

A Sore Throat

There’s been anecdotal evidence that Thieves provide some relief for a sore throat. Add 2 drops to around 2 tablespoons of water and gargle if you have a sore throat. Do this a few times throughout the day. Spit out when finished. (Do NOT ingest!)

Sick

If you feel a stuffy nose, cough or fever coming on, rub some oil on your feet and along your spine, mixed with a carrier oil (like sweet almond, jojoba, coconut or olive oil), to help you breathe better.

Headache Relief

Put a drop of thieves on your thumb and place it on the roof of your mouth. This will help relieve a headache fast. It can burn and tingle a little if you are sensitive use a carrier oil with it.

Immune Support

Take a diluted thieves oil, with a carrier oil and apply to bottoms of your feet. Do this once in morning and once at night to help boost your immunity. Great for cold and flu season for symptomatic relief.

Dishwasher

If you have a dishwasher add a few drops into the soap dispenser before you start it, to help deodorize and clean your dishes.

Cell Phone

Our phones get SO dirty, spray the all-purpose spray on a cloth and wipe down your entire phone. Helps clean and potentially disinfect.

essential oil bottles with roses

Printable: How to Make Your Own Thieves Essential Oil - Plus Its Uses

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Do you love the scent and potential germ-killing abilities of thieves essential oil? If you have a few oils on hand, you can easily make your own thieves type essential oil.

Instructions

  1. Put these oils in a dark glass bottle, I just reuse an old essential oil bottle I have, or you can buy them easily online.
  2. Then just shake it up, and you have your own mixture to use!

Notes

Top 12 Household Uses for Thieves Essential Oil


*This recipe has not been scientifically tested, nor are we at Home Made Lovely qualified to speak to its effectiveness as an antibacterial or antiviral agent. We will not be held responsible for its use. Please use common sense and good hygiene. 

Diffusing

Depending on the brand of diffuser you own will depend on how much to use. A general guide is around 10-15 drops of Thieves and diffuses for 30 minutes around 3 times a day.

All-Purpose Spray

Add 1 drop of Thieves to each 1/2 ounce of water in a glass spray bottle. Shake well for each use, and use to clean counters, tables, etc. It acts like a regular all-purpose spray.

Cleaning Toys

You can add a few drops of essential oils into the washer or even the sink when you hand wash toys. This is from plastic toys to stuffed animals. This is great to do when your kiddos are sick for some extra cleaning power and a great mood-boosting scent.

Floor Cleaner

When you go to mop the floor, add around 10 drops into half a bucket of water, and use that instead of a mop cleaner.

Freshen Room

I use the all-purpose homemade cleaner and spray on the furniture, curtains, and even beds to help freshen up rooms and disinfect. Don’t put oil directly on furniture or fabrics of course.

Laundry

You can add 4-5 drops in each load of laundry to help really clean and deodorize your clothing. This works wonderfully with bedding, make sure to use regular or homemade laundry soap as well.

A Sore Throat

There's been anecdotal evidence that Thieves provide some relief for a sore throat. Add 2 drops to around 2 tablespoons of water and gargle if you have a sore throat. Do this a few times throughout the day. Spit out when finished. (Do NOT ingest!)

Sick

If you feel a stuffy nose, cough or fever coming on, rub some oil on your feet and along your spine, mixed with a carrier oil (like sweet almond, jojoba, coconut or olive oil), to help you breathe better.

Headache Relief

Put a drop of thieves on your thumb and place it on the roof of your mouth. This will help relieve a headache fast. It can burn and tingle a little if you are sensitive use a carrier oil with it.

Immune Support

Take a diluted thieves oil, with a carrier oil and apply to bottoms of your feet. Do this once in morning and once at night to help boost your immunity. Great for cold and flu season for symptomatic relief.

Dishwasher

If you have a dishwasher add a few drops into the soap dispenser before you start it, to help deodorize and clean your dishes.

Cell Phone

Our phones get SO dirty, spray the all-purpose spray on a cloth and wipe down your entire phone. Helps clean and potentially disinfect.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

essential oil bottles with roses

What’s next?

Do you want to use essential oils in your home more, but feel like there’s so much info out there? 

Check out The Complete Guide to Using Essential Oils in Your Home packed with everything you need to know to – without the overwhelm.

Includes: which grades of essential oils to use, which ones to avoid for pets and babies and the top 13 essential oils that are perfect for beginners. Plus, recipes and tips for making your own home remedies, soaps, scrubs and cleaners and more. 

EO ebook white device mockup

DIY Thieves Essential Oil Blend

Have you made your own essential oil blends? If so, which is your favorite?

shannon photo and sig oct 2022