Learn practical ways to use lavender oil in washing machines, natural fabric conditioner and tumble dryers while managing flammability, staining and irritation risks. Lavender essential oil in laundry is rising as UK households question fabric conditioner, synthetic fragrances and possible effects on sensitive skin and the planet. You may have noticed friends quietly swapping their usual fabric conditioner for a tiny bottle of lavender essential oil, promising laundry that smells spa-level fresh without another chemical-laden product in the cupboard. What lavender essential oil actually does in your laundryEssential oils do not replace laundry detergent. How to use lavender essential oil safely in the washThere are some ground rules.