EASY ALL-NATURAL ROOM FRESHENER SPRAY
In today’s world, where many of us are spending more time at home, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere is essential. For years, I have relied on all-natural air fresheners to combat the less-than-pleasant odors that can arise from living with guys and a cat. While advertisers would like us to believe that we need their toxic products filled with mysterious chemicals to keep our homes smelling fresh, we know better. If you take a moment to visit EWG.org and check their list of air fresheners, you’ll find that those with high scores often contain essential oils. A truly clean home should have no smell at all; the real challenge is to eliminate odors at the source rather than just masking them. However, even in a clean environment that is odorless, a hint of natural fragrance can enhance the ambiance. This post will guide you on how to achieve that without overwhelming your senses. Why spend your hard-earned money on store-bought sprays when you can effortlessly create your own at home? I make most of my natural cleaning and skincare products, so I always have the simple ingredients for this recipe on hand. Before diving into the details, I want to introduce you to my FREE Resource Library, designed specifically for my readers. It is filled with a wealth of printables that can enhance your life, including beautiful labels for your room freshener spray and various essential oil blends. Simply sign up, and the password will land in your inbox!
ALL-NATURAL ROOM FRESHENER SPRAY
What I adore about this room freshener spray is its simplicity and the freedom to customize it according to your personal preferences. While I will provide a few essential oil blends at the end of this post, you can discover many more seasonal recipes in the FREE Resource Library. The best part is that all the essential oil blends used in this spray can also be utilized in your diffuser. Let’s get started!
Room Freshener Spray Ingredients
- 3/4 cup filtered or distilled water
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 1 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerine (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1 tsp baking soda – if using to absorb odors
- Essential oils – see the bottom for custom blends you can create
This recipe yields a little more than 10 ounces of spray, which is enough for five 2 oz bottles or two 4 oz bottles and one 2 oz bottle.
Tools to Make All-Natural Room Freshener
- 2-cup measuring cup
- Small funnel
- 2 oz or 4 oz glass bottles with sprayers
Glass bottles come in various convenient sizes, such as 2, 4, and 6 ounces. The smaller 2 oz size is perfect for keeping in each room or in your car. This is the same size I recommend for my alcohol-based hand sanitizer spray recipe. For rooms where the spray will be used more often, a 4 oz bottle is ideal. Remember, some essential oils can break down plastic bottles, so opting for glass is not only reusable, but also environmentally friendly! You can find printable labels for your room freshener spray in the Resource Library.
Making the Spray
Creating the spray is incredibly straightforward. Start by pouring the distilled water into the measuring cup, then add the witch hazel, glycerine, and baking soda (if you choose to use it). Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined, making sure the baking soda is fully dissolved. Next, add your desired blend of essential oils and gently mix. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into your spray bottles. Witch hazel acts as a natural astringent and helps to disperse the oil particles, keeping them suspended in the air longer. While glycerine is optional, I highly recommend it as it aids in blending the water and essential oils. Baking soda is particularly useful if you intend to use the spray similarly to Febreze, targeting odors on soft surfaces. Remember to give the spray bottle a slight shake before each use. For more information on the various uses of witch hazel, check out my detailed guide.
As for the essential oil blends mentioned here and in the FREE Resource Library, the number of drops specified is designed for one recipe. Note: Labeling your bottles is not just for aesthetics; it helps you and your family know what’s inside. I recommend using glossy label paper sheets, which allow you to create custom-sized labels easily. Exercise caution when spraying essential oils, especially around pets, ensuring they are not present in the room during use. For more insights about pets and essential oils, refer to my comprehensive article.
THE MANY USES FOR ROOM REFRESHER SPRAY
I keep several bottles of this versatile spray on hand at all times. Here are some additional ways to utilize your new favorite all-natural room freshener:
- Keep a bottle in each bathroom for a quick refresh.
- Eliminate unpleasant odors in shoes and gym bags if washing isn’t an option.
- Quickly freshen up car upholstery.
- Spray pet beds between washings for a pleasant scent.
- Lightly spray linens for a fresh fragrance.
- Refresh sofa pillows (always test first to prevent staining).
- Keep a 1 oz size bottle in your purse for on-the-go freshness.
POPULAR ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS TO FRESHEN AIR
Before sharing my favorite essential oil blends, I want to emphasize the importance of using high-quality essential oils. Inexpensive grocery store brands are often diluted with other oils and may contain harmful chemicals from the extraction process. To learn more about sourcing quality essential oils, check out my essential oil buying guide. Certain oils, like lavender, have been treasured for centuries for their refreshing properties. The possibilities are endless when it comes to crafting your unique scent combinations. Here are a few starter blends to inspire you:
Fresh Linen Scent
20 drops lemon + 15 drops lavender + 5 drops rosemary
Spring Rain Blend
20 drops lemon + 15 drops pine + 8 drops vetiver
Spring Air
15 drops cedarwood + 10 drops lavender + 8 drops tangerine + 8 drops vetiver
Apple Pie
12 drops lemon + 15 drops cinnamon + 12 drops clove
Fall in the Forest
15 drops lemon + 12 drops pine + 8 drops cedarwood + 6 drops rosemary
Winter Blend
16 drops peppermint + 12 drops bergamot + 8 drops cypress
You can find these and additional essential oil blends for every season in the FREE Resource Library. Print them out for handy reference!
HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE SMELLING FRESH:
- Regularly air out your home, even during colder months.
- Vacuum and dust frequently, including cleaning the air intake vents for your furnace!
- Wash pillowcases and curtains regularly.
- Toss pillows in the dryer on a steam refresh cycle, if available.
- Steam clean floors and carpets on a regular basis.
- Place a bowl of white distilled vinegar in a room overnight to absorb odors.
- Utilize activated charcoal packs in places like closets.
- Use baking soda or activated charcoal pellets in the refrigerator to neutralize smells.
- Empty the trash frequently and clean the bottom of the trash can.
For more uses of activated charcoal, check out my detailed post.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS POST, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARTICLES:
HOW TO MAKE HAND SANITIZER SPRAY – ALCOHOL BASED
HOW TO MAKE ALCOHOL-FREE HAND SANITIZER
DIY CLEANERS THAT WORK GREAT AND WILL SAVE YOU MONEY
Do you have a favorite essential oil blend? I would love to hear about it in the comments below! Also, don’t forget to join TWGL’s group on Facebook and follow along on Instagram. This post is dedicated to the memory of my friend and mentor, Elizabeth, who imparted much of what I know about essential oils.