Natural Air Freshener Recipe {That Really Works}

I’ll admit it: I like my house to smell nice!  I love it when guests feel welcomed by the scent of dinner in the oven or a magnolia blossom from the tree around the corner.  We used to always light candles or turn on wax burners so the house would smell pleasant, but when I started to detox my home, synthetic smells were one of the first things to go.  It took a bit of adjustment, but now when people walk into our home, they often comment on how natural it smells.  One of the changes that made this possible was swapping over to a homemade natural air freshener.

Almost every air freshener on the market contains phthalates and other toxic chemicals.  Some of these have been linked to early puberty, birth defects, headaches, onset of asthma, and other generally undesirable health effects.  So, if you’re searching for a simple step to take in making your home more natural, changing air fresheners is a great place to start.

This natural air freshener recipe is simple, and it will fill your home with a wonderfully natural scent that won’t harm your family.  It will also save money, which is good because I love making things instead of buying them. This recipe is a great project to do with friends so that you can share each other’s essential oils.  It also makes a great gift.  My mom always keeps a bottle that I gave her in her guest bathroom.

So, if this recipe doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, what does it contain?  The ingredient that produces the freshening aroma is essential oil.  Essential oils are beneficial in a variety of ways, and they also smell delightful!

Essential Oils

Always use 100% pure therapeutic oils. For Stacy’s Family, that is Young Living. Here are some essential oils to consider as well as some of their common uses:

• peppermint: antioxidant, refreshes, improves concentration
• lavender: calms nervous system, helps promote sleep, combats stress
• basil: relieves headaches, fights fatigue
• lemon: calms anxiety, improves concentration
• orange: refreshes
• frankincense: enhances memory, relieves jet lag symptoms

Ultimately, you want to find a blend that is pleasing to your senses and makes you feel good.  You can test out each blend by putting a drop of each essential oil on a cotton ball and placing it in a sealed bag.  Open the bag after a few minutes, and see if you like the scent.

You’ll Need:

• 3 oz. glass bottle with spray top
• 5-15 drops essential oil (You can mix them or keep it all the same)
• 1 tablespoon vodka (or witch hazel)
• distilled water
• small funnel

Note: This recipe can be doubled or tripled for a larger batch; just use a larger bottle.

What You’ll Do:

1. Add drops of essential oil to glass bottle.
2. Add 1 tablespoon vodka (or witch hazel) to bottle.
3. Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water (don’t overfill).
4. Label as air freshener (don’t forget to write which essential oils you used).

To Use:

Shake bottle and spray into the center of a room.  If spraying on furniture or sheets, you may first want to test a small inconspicuous area.  Only spray one spritz at a time until you reach your desired scent.

Where to purchase these ingredients:

Essential oils can be purchased lots of places, but be sure you are purchasing 100% pure therapeutic oils. Again, for Stacy’s family, that means using Young Living and their line of oils.

Glass vs. Plastic Bottle

Because the essential oils in this recipe make up less than 5% of the total liquid, it’s safe to store this spray in a PET or HDPE plastic container; however, when working with essential oils I prefer to use glass.  If the essential oils exceed 5% of the total recipe, you should always use glass.  Make sure the essential oils remain under 15% of the total recipe to keep it safe for using.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also like our natural bug repellent spray – check it out here!

Don’t have time for another DIY project?  Here are a few natural air fresheners that you can purchase online (click to view and purchase through my affiliate link):

What are your favorite essential oil combinations that could be used for this recipe?

The information I have provided in this post has not been approved by the FDA.  I am not providing medical, legal, or other professional advice.  As the reader, you should use this information at your own risk.  I have done a lot of research on this topic, but it does not mean that it’s right for you or your family.  Check each essential oil you use for the safety if using around children and/or pregnant women.