Make Your Own Air Freshener

What ingredients are in your air freshener? Not sure? I wasn’t either. If you bought it at the grocery store or even a health food store, chances are you’ve just bought a lot of chemicals. But, before you can say, “Holy Smelly Bathroom, Batman!” you can make your own air freshener! And, you’ll know exactly what’s inside.

We all spend lots of money buying organic produce at the grocery store and trying to lead healthy lives only to infuse the air inside our homes with chemicals. With ingredients we can only dream of pronouncing, and packaging that says it’s ‘natural,’ we’re once again getting tricked by a business.

But….we do need to mask those smells that crop up, don’t we? Yes, we do! And, you aren’t going to believe how easy this is. You might even have all of the ingredients at your home right now.

Make Your Own Air Freshener

Materials needed:

• Empty spray bottle
• Water
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Essential oil

These are the directions for a 5 ounce bottle – but the ratio is 2 to 3.

1. Add 2 ounces of Isopropyl alcohol 70% – plain old rubbing alcohol – to an empty bottle.
2. Add 3 ounces of water  and fill to almost full.
3. Add 5-20 drops of essential oil.
4. Screw on lid and shake. Done!

Notes:

• My bottles are from TAP Plastics which stocks all sizes of plastic bottles, lids, and sprayers. (If you need any for airplane travel, they are your source.) You can easily reuse another spray bottle – my empty hairspray bottle became another air freshener. In my dream world, these would be glass and it would be lovely. No glass bottles with teenagers. They’re not the most careful creatures.
• Give a shake or two to the bottle before you spray. If you forget, it’s ok, but if I have my glasses on, I can see the oil at the top of my bottle.
• Use whatever essential oil scents you like but be aware that you can have an allergic reaction to new essential oil ‘scents.’ Go with one you know doesn’t cause a bad reaction or do a test, first, before buying a gallon.
• You can add as many drops of essential oils as you’d like. It’s expensive and comes out quickly. It’s also like horseradish – you can add but you can’t take away. Start slow because you can always add more.
• My alcohol is from Costco (I have a love/hate relationship with Costco) and I think their price is the best. Of course, you have to buy two. Good time to buy a set and share with a friend.
• If you’re going to spray this on furniture, do a test spray, first, in an inconspicuous spot.
• Add labels or stickers to your creation. Mine reads, “Fresh” because that’s what it smells like after I spray.
• Have a party and make these! Or, you can schedule a workshop with me and I’ll bring the supplies. We’ll make these at your home or office. You and your friends will be thrilled!

Easy, simple, and healthy for the inside of your home. Make one today!

How do you keep your bathroom smelling fresh?

Go Gingham related links:

Natural rinse aid alternative for the dishwasher – it’s in your pantry already
Sort of homemade dishwasher detergent – 2 ingredients make up the new mix!
Green and frugal living – the sweet spot where green and frugal meet
Cute and clean for the kitchen: make a baking soda shaker for soaking those stubborn pots and pans
The mop cover is a re-purposed t-shirt: how to make a mop cover
Why I use an inside laundry line and not an outside laundry line
How to install an inside your home laundry line my son helped me install ours and it can be used year round!

More related links:

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), is an online, independent resource for consumer health products, lists what’s in cleaning supplies and laundry detergents. They also share which ingredients have been banned in other countries, but not here. They rate the products based on their ingredients. It’s important to note that the EWG does not endorse any products or brands. I really like the work they do.

• Want to know how your store bought air freshener measures up? Check out EWG’s Air Fresheners Guide – they’re ranked A-F.
• Need more information about keeping a home clean and healthy? Check out EWG’s “Safer Cleaning for Your Home” tip sheet.
• You know what else? If you spray the toilet before you go, you may not end up with as much smell after you go. Not convinced? Check out Poo Pourri. The ads alone are hilarious!

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this and have no connection to the brands, groups or companies listed above.