You can make your own spray air-freshener in just a few minutes using three simple ingredients. It’s a natural way to remove household odors, and the spray works well in the bathroom, on most fabrics and carpets, even in shoes. You can also customize it to suit your tastes.
The recipe:
- 1 oz gin, vodka, or rubbing alcohol
- 6 oz filtered water
- 20 – 40 drops of essential oil, a few suggested oils are: peppermint, jasmine, citrus oils
We think this combination works well, and it’s strong enough to work without being too strong. My preference is to use gin as your alcohol and jasmine as your essential oil, but you should experiment to find a mix that you like. Simply mix in a spray bottle and spray around for instant freshness. This mix will keep well for at least a month.
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Big bottle of cheap vodka a medium bottle of clear artificial vanilla = air freshener and cleaner.
I'll have to try the gin 'n jasmine combo when my current batch runs out.
If you have animals: essential oils are harmful to cats - they can absorb them through the skin or breathe them in, and their livers are not able to process them like ours. I love essential oils but don't use them because I have a kitty.
http://www.thelavendercat.com/3201/index.html
I have a similar recipe I use for lavender linen spray. Guess I should break it out and use it elsewhere as well!
silverfaye: thanks for the FYI!!
What is filtered water?
i discovered - by accident - an amazingly calming/centering essential oil combination, even my five year old loves it. alcohol & water equal drops of lavender, bergamot & jasmine. lately i add about 5 drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil, helps headaches, fatigue. great aromatherapy for everything & everywhere (almost)!
take out the essential oil and up the rubbing alcohol component to half and half an dyou've got a decent spray on deodorant too - perfect for people like me who are allergic to all the chemicals that come with usual deodorant...
I use this mix for my linens too !
Dickinson: filtered water is water that has gone through a filter. You can also use distilled water.
wc_canuc: alcohol isn´t good for the skin, but I´ve had fantastic results with crystal deos.
One of my favourite air freshening combinations is spearmint with sandalwood oil. Seems to make everything smell nicer.
what stores carry essential oils?
You can find essential oils at Whole Foods or almost any food coop or natural/organic store. Also, Amazon. I have a lemon oil from Young Living that I use to add drops to drinking water --- it's lemony and delicious.