Natural Air Fresheners with Essential Oils
I love making my own air fresheners - they’re safe, cheap, and you can change scents easily whenever your olfactory lobes get bored. I’m passing along some fragrant room spray recipes for you to try. Although they all call for a little vodka, I use just water when I make small quantities. I find it works well without - and it’s one less ingredient you have to purchase.
The recipe is basically the same for all scents - you simply change the essential oils you want to add. Regardless of scent, you mix together the essential oil with 1/2 tsp. vodka in a 16 oz. spray bottle. Shake well, then add 2 cups water and shake again.
Here are some essential oil combinations to get you started. After that, it’s all up to your imagination! And your nose…
Lavender-Citrus: 15 drops lavender oil, 10 drops grapefruit oil
Forest Freshness: 10 drops sandalwood oil, 10 drops pine oil, 10 drops juniper oil
Antiseptic Freshener: This one is great for a house that has been under siege by colds and flu. 20 drops juniper oil, 20 drops eucalyptus oil, 20 drops lavender oil.
Make sure not to use this spray on wood surfaces or fabric. I have sprayed mine on fabric numerous times, but for that I tend to use just a couple drops of oil in a small (maybe 2 oz.) spray bottle of water. One of my favorite uses on fabric is the dog bed. I use about 5 or 6 drops of cedarwood oil in a 2 oz. spray bottle of water and shake. Spray it on the cushion and around the area where the dog hangs out. It helps chase away any lurking fleas and freshens the doggie smell too.
April 8th, 2008 at 7:48 am
What a really great idea! I have never thought of using vodka as the base.
I’m going to print this post to save.
September 11th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I love making sprays with EOs too. They smell so much better and cleaner than regular air fresheners! I like ones with citruses in particular.
It’s a good idea to use the alcohol unless you’re using the sprays up immediately. Water will start to grow germs within a few days, but the alcohol prevents the nasties from growing. It also mixes well with the EOs so you don’t have shake it up!
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