Does your house smell musty? Maybe you also want to make the air at home fresh and fragrant. This article will show you several methods for making a simple air freshener. Some of these homemade air fresheners just add fragrance to your home, while others help eliminate bad odors.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Making Air Freshener from Baking Soda
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
This air freshener uses baking soda to help absorb odors. In addition, this product also uses essential oils that produce a fresh aroma. Here are the ingredients needed to make this simple air freshener:
- Small jar
- Scrapbook paper
- Baking soda
- 10-20 drops of essential oil
- Scissors
- Pen or pencil
- Needle
Step 2. Find a small short glass jar with a lid that has two halves
The lid of the jar should have a metal ring and a flat disc. You'll need the ring to hold the scrapbook paper and a flat cross section to make circles on the paper. You can use jars of any size, but small short jars are more ideal for this job. That way, you don't have to use too much baking soda. Provide enough baking soda for an all-over effect.
- You can paint the metal rings using spray paint to match the color of the paper and the decor of the room.
- You can get scrapbook paper from arts and craft supply stores. If you don't have scrapbook paper, use leftover wrapping paper. You can also use plain printing paper and create beautiful designs using markers.
Step 3. Use a metal flat disc to draw circles on scrapbook paper
Remove the cover and set the metal ring aside first. You will need to reuse it later. Place the metal disc over the back or side of the blank scrapbook paper. Use a pen or pencil to draw circles on the paper. When you're done, you can throw away or recycle the metal discs. At this point, you don't really need the disc anymore.
- You can use paper of any color or pattern, but try to choose a paper that matches the decor of the room or the season.
- If you can't find a jar with a lid that has two halves, draw a circle on the woven fabric (eg burlap) and cut out the image. The cut circle should be a few centimeters wider than the mouth of the jar.
Step 4. Cut the circle using scissors and set it aside
You will reuse it later. Discard or recycle any leftover paper.
Step 5. Fill the jar with baking soda to half full
The amount of baking soda needed will depend on the size of the jar.
Step 6. Add 10-20 drops of essential oil
The more oil you add, the more fragrant the air freshener will be. You can use one scent or experiment with mixing different scents, such as lavender and vanilla, or mint and eucalyptus.
- Lavender oil is suitable for the bedroom because of its calming effect.
- Citron oil is suitable for living rooms and kitchens because it has a refreshing aroma.
- Eucalyptus and mint oils are perfect for the bathroom because of their fresh scent.
Step 7. Close the jar
Place the cut out circle of paper on top of the jar. Make sure the disc is positioned evenly and the design side is facing up (outside). Put the metal ring back on the jar firmly. The paper circle made will replace the metal disc. You will need this paper circle because later you will need to make holes in the circle. Of course, holes are easier to make in paper than metal.
If you are using cloth, place the cloth over the top of the jar. Make sure the position is balanced. Hold the cloth against the neck of the jar with a ribbon or rubber band. Don't place the jar on top of the fabric, as the scent will stay in the jar and won't spread throughout the room
Step 8. Shake the jar to mix all the ingredients
You can see the lumps that have formed as a result of mixing the baking soda and essential oils. Keep shaking the jar until the lumps disappear. If the baking soda is still lumpy, remove the lid and crush the baking soda lumps with a fork. Make sure you put the cover back on when you're done.
Step 9. Use a needle to punch a hole in the paper
You can make holes randomly in various places, or follow certain design patterns, such as hearts, stars, or spirals. The more holes you make, the easier it is for the aroma of the essential oil to permeate the air.
Step 10. Use the pre-made air freshener
You can place this air freshener in any room. Shake the jar every few days. Over time, the strength of the essential oil will decrease so you may need to add a few more drops of the oil if the scent starts to fade.
At some stage, the effectiveness of baking soda will disappear because the soda has absorbed all the unpleasant odors in the room. Change the baking soda every 1-3 months
Method 2 of 4: Making an Air Freshener Spray
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
This air freshener resembles the air freshener spray products you can buy from the store. However, this product does not contain any harmful ingredients. Here are the ingredients you will need:
- 240 ml glass spray bottle
- 2 tablespoons vodka, alcohol, or witch hazel extract
- 180 ml distilled water
- 15-20 drops of essential oil mixture
Step 2. Put 2 tablespoons of vodka, alcohol, or witch hazel juice in a 240 ml spray bottle
If you can't get a glass bottle, use a high-quality plastic bottle. However, try to use a glass bottle as essential oils can damage most types of plastic.
Step 3. Add 15-20 drops of essential oil
You can use one type of scent or experiment with different combinations of oils. Here are some suggestions you can try:
- For a soothing aroma, use the following mixture: 10 drops of lavender oil and 5-8 drops of chamomile oil.
- To get a refreshing scent, use the following mixture: 5 drops of wild orange oil, 5 drops of lemon oil, 5 drops of lime oil, and 5 drops of lime oil.
- To make an air freshener spray with a fresh scent, use the following mixture: 5 drops lavender oil, 5 drops lemon oil, and 5 drops rosemary oil.
- For a fresh scent, use the following mixture: 4 drops of tea tree oil, 8 drops of lemon oil, and 6 drops of eucalyptus oil.
Step 4. Close and shake the spray bottle
Vodka, alcohol, or witch hazel extract will dissolve the oil, making it easy to mix with water. In addition, these three ingredients also help to preserve the spray mixture.
Step 5. Add 180 ml of water to the bottle and shake again
You may need less water, depending on the shape of the bottle and the amount of oil used.
Step 6. Use a spray
Whenever you want to freshen the air in the room, shake the bottle and spray the mixture three to four times. Over time, the oil will separate from the water so you will need to shake the bottle before using the mixture.
Method 3 of 4: Making a Disinfectant Air Freshener
Step 1. Gather the required materials
This air freshener contains vinegar which also acts as a disinfectant. Here are the ingredients you will need:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- 120 ml of warm water
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2-3 drops of essential oil
Step 2. Fill the spray bottle with 120 ml of warm water
Use a spray bottle made of glass as essential oils can damage some types of plastic.
Step 3. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and shake the bottle to mix the ingredients
Make sure you close the bottle tightly first.
Step 4. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar
Do not use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as they can stain fabrics and furniture.
Step 5. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil
You can use more oil if you want a stronger scent. Keep in mind that the vinegar smell will disappear once the mixture dries.
Step 6. Close and shake the bottle to mix all the ingredients
At first, the vinegar smell may be sour, but it can help neutralize odors in a variety of items. Also, the vinegar smell will disappear once the mixture dries.
Step 7. Use the pre-made air freshener
You can use it on items that smell bad in the room. Baking soda helps neutralize odors, while vinegar kills odor-causing bacteria. Once the mixture dries, the vinegar smell will dissipate and be replaced by the refreshing scent of essential oils.
Method 4 of 4: Making Air Freshener in a Glass Jar
Step 1. Select the ingredients for the desired scent
The best ingredients to use for this type of air freshener are spices that have expired, fragrant herbs fresh from the garden, and citrus fruits left over from cooking or baking. Below are some suggested combinations that you can try. This combination is enough to fill a glass jar with a volume of about 1 liter. Here are some suggested combinations to try:
- To make a distinctive winter or fall fragrance, mix 1 sliced orange, 1-2 cinnamon sticks, tablespoon whole cloves, tablespoon allspice powder. As a final touch, you can add 1 piece of star anise.
- If you want a fresh, sweet scent, use 2 lemon wedges, 3 sprigs of rosemary, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
- As another combination of fresh and sweet aroma, use 3-4 sprigs of thyme, teaspoon of mint extract, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 3 slices of lime.
- For a distinctly forest and winter scent, use a handful of spruce leaves, 4 bay leaves, and 1 whole nutmeg. Make sure you grate the outer layer of the nutmeg to get the aroma out.
Step 2. Put all ingredients in a saucepan and soak in water
Do not fill the pot with water. Make sure the water level does not exceed the height of the ingredients being added.
Step 3. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to heat the ingredients
Thus, the ingredients will be heated and can produce a sweet aroma. You can keep the ingredients simmering in the pan or transfer them to another heat source. Here are some suggestions you can try:
- Transfer all ingredients to the slow cooker. Turn on the device, then leave the ingredients uncovered to let out a refreshing aroma. The aroma produced is softer than when the ingredients are heated on the stove.
- Transfer all ingredients to a fondue pan. Keep in mind that if the pan uses candles to heat food, you will need to keep an eye on the candles being lit. Typically, a candle can burn for 3 to 4 hours.
- You can also transfer the ingredients into a jar, mug, or small bowl and then place them on a mug, candle, or teapot heater.
Step 4. Heat the water to spread the fresh scent into the room
When the water is still heated, the ingredients used will give off a sweet aroma. If strong enough, the scent can even spread to other rooms. However, make sure you don't leave any room fresheners heating up!
Step 5. Add more hot water if the water level is too low
When heated, the water will evaporate and the water level will drop. If the height drops significantly, the ingredients will be scorched. Also, you will need to use hot water when refilling the pan so that the temperature of the existing water doesn't drop.
Step 6. Do not leave the air freshener heated unattended
If you need to leave the house, turn off the stove, slow cooker or heater, and extinguish any used candles. Transfer the ingredients to a jar, then store in the refrigerator.
Step 7. Use this air freshener within 2-3 days
Store ingredients in the refrigerator when not in use. If the water starts to turn cloudy, try adding a few orange slices or sprigs of previously used herbs.
Tips
- Baking soda helps absorb odors.
- Vinegar can neutralize odors and disinfect surfaces on objects.
- Essential oils such as eucalyptus, fir, lemon, orange, lavender, geranium, and tea tree have both disinfectant and antiseptic properties. In addition, eucalyptus oil is also a natural insect repellent. Essential oils produce a natural fragrance, without chemicals, as well as a variety of other benefits (eg improving fitness and health).
- Use glass jars and spray bottles instead of plastic containers. Essential oils can damage most types of plastic.
- Use distilled or purified water. This way, the spray mixture can last longer.
