Some of you caught my last post on Homemade Body Splash. My recipe for homemade air freshener is very similar and even easier! Room Spray is a beautiful thing-No matter how clean you are, sometimes that musty smell just happens. Whether it’s kids, pets, husbands, last nights dinner or just a mysterious smell your house seems to emit, everyone needs a safe, homemade air freshener!
Why Are Air Fresheners Bad For You?
You might wonder why I don’t just use FeBreeze and call it a day? Well, FeBreeze along with Lysol and other air fresheners is jam packed full of toxins. These types of home sprays are the primary reason the air in our homes is polluted and the exposer to our bodies is flat out toxic. They absolutely are harmful to your health and should never be used.
The picture below from Step Into My Green World sums up the evils of commercial room sprays.
I also found THIS post extremely enlightening about the deception of labeling products and how “unscented” is not really unscented! We already knew the beauty industry doesn’t have to list every ingredient on their bottles but apparently cleaning and home products don’t either. After reading this informative and eye opening article, I’m convinced that DIY is the only way to go with many of our household products.
Side Effects of Using Artificial Air Fresheners:
- Cancer
- Allergies & Asthma
- Contact Dermatitis
- Depression
- Headaches
- Hormone Imbalance
- Respiratory Issues
- Dizziness and Nausea
Essential Oils for Homemade Air Fresheners:
Most store bought brands of air freshener have such a strong smell that all they do is cover up odors. When using essential oils, you not only will freshen up the smell in the room but you can actually clean the air.
Using oils such as Lemon, Rosemary, Clove, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus helps to kill airborne bacteria quite effectively. Several popular essential oil companies have come out with their own version of these oils meant for diffusing and protecting against illness and contagious diseases. The blend I prefer is Shield. I use this in my room spray during the winter months to ward off sickness. It can be sprayed all over each room. It not only helps contain the sickness to one person but it also strengthens the immune system of the sick. You can also make your own Thieves Blend.
I also love just plain Lavender. Lavender is amazing. The calming effect it can have blows my mind! I love to spray it in my daughter’s rooms to help calm them, especially near bed time. Spray it on your sheets all through out the week for added freshness and relaxation! It can be sprayed on the carpet and furniture as well. I like to keep a small spray bottle in my car for long car rides. It really does relax everyone and curbs the “are we there yet” to a minimum!
A peppermint spray is also a great room freshener. Peppermint helps to awaken and sharpen the mind and can clear brain fog. It helps keep you alert and comes in handy when things need to get done in a timely manner! Not to mention, it detours bugs-especially spiders.
Citrus Oils smell incredibly happy and fresh and paired with lavender can be downright heavenly! Lemon and bergamot are my favorites! Remember, if you have cats, citrus oils should be used with great caution and ventilation.
Natural Ways to Freshen the Air:
- Diffusing is an excellent alternative to “plug-ins”. Diffusing is the most effective way to scent your home fast and in the process detox your air. You can even get car diffusers which are a must on road trips!
- Did you know plants can be natural air purifiers?
- Open the windows! This is so incredibly important. Now days our homes are air tight for our comfort and utility bills. Toxins in the air are trapped and can wreak havoc on our health. I open our windows every chance I can. If it’s between 55 F and 80F degrees, windows are open.
- Make your own candles with essential oils. Find beeswax candle making and soy candle making articles on my blog.
- Do a little gardening in your kitchen-Herbs give a wonderful aroma and are healthy and tasty additives in cooking!
- Make your own potpourri! Dried lavender and rosemary are very fragrant as our many others. You can also heat herbs, citrus fruits, cinnamon, clove, apples and berries in water on the stove top and enjoy your entire house smelling heavenly! This is a fantastic trick when you are having company over!
Homemade Air Freshener Recipe
1/2 cup Hydrosol (find it HERE) or distilled water 1 TBSP Witch Hazel (find it HERE) or Vodka 20-30 drops Essential oil (find them HERE) I tend to use rose hydrosol with lavender essential oil. Sandalwood is a splurge but it pairs beautifully with this combination too.
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake before each use!
This homemade air freshener recipe is super easy and very effective. There’s really no reason to continue to use toxic sprays. Our furniture, paint on the walls and even flooring are omitting harmful gases so why add to the toxic load we already have to bare?
While using essential oils to freshen your air might not give you the overpowering, long lasting strong scent you’re used to, just remember, that artificial fragrance is wreaking havoc on your body’s ability to keep you healthy and balanced.
**Be cautious when spraying on leather furniture. I have always sprayed leather furniture with my room spray and had no issues, but some have not been so lucky.**
xx, Jenni
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