DIY Natural Recipes for Room Sprays & Deodorizers

Before I started using essential oils, I used to buy linen sprays, air fresheners, room deodorizers and candles. Some of them were high quality and made with essential oils and other organic ingredients. These were very expensive and I treasured them, using them sparingly when I wanted to treat myself or on special occasions. But unfortunately, many of the linen sprays I used to use were filled with chemicals, toxins and artificial scents.

Once I discovered essential oils, I started making my own linen sprays. Here’s why:

• less expensive– I can make my own DIY version for a fraction of the cost

• get exactly the scent and therapeutic benefits I want– Because I’m making the linen spray myself with my own essential oils, it’s easy to customize a blend to the scent I want. If I want something sweet and spicy, I can make that. If I want something citrusy, I can make that. If I want something to help calm and relax, I can make that. Whatever I want, I can whip it up in about 30 seconds. No going to the store. No hunting for which aisle has the fabric sprays. No hoping they have something I like. Now, I’m in control. I make exactly what I want.

• no chemicals, toxins or artificial fragrances– The cheaper fabric refreshers that I used to buy at the grocery store and discount stores were convenient and inexpensive, but they were loaded with chemicals, toxins and artificial fragrances. (oh, how I wish I hadn’t used those all those years! But we learn and we do better, right?) Now that I make my own, I control exactly what goes into it. And as you’ll see in the recipe below- that’s just two ingredients. No chemicals, nothing artificial.

What exactly is a linen spray you ask? Well, it’s a way to scent fabrics. There are lots of reasons why you may want to do this and many ways to use linen sprays. Here are just a few.

• freshen the couch to get rid of the slightly stinky dog smell

• use while ironing to help get rid of wrinkles and lightly scent clothes

• spray sheets to deodorize them between laundering

• revive draperies and curtains

• stretch about the time between dry cleaning garments

• freshen the towels and linens in a guest room before a visitor arrives

• get rid of any stale smells on blankets and sheets that have been cooped up in a linen closer

• refresh blankets

• deodorize the inside of your car

• scent your pillow before bed for a sound night’s sleep

• spray upholstered furniture and pillows to not only freshen, but also change the atmosphere in a room (such as, energizing scents in the morning and relaxing, calming scents in the evening)

• apply to entry rugs to greet guests with a fresh, welcoming scent as they entire your home

• refresh clothes that have been hanging in your closet for too long, adding a subtle scent that can substitute for perfume

• use as an air freshener

Here's the recipe:

2 cups vodka (the cheap stuff works just as well as the expensive stuff, so use cheap vodka)

40-50 drops essential oil

Instructions for making a Linen Spray:

1. use a funnel to pour the vodka into a 16 ounce spray bottle (there’s really no need to measure. just fill the bottle most of the way full, but leave a little room for the essential oils and for when you put the spray top back on. you don’t want to waste any vodka or oils by having them spill out because you filled the bottle too much.)

2. add the essential oil (see the list of 21 ideas for blends below. choose light colored essential oils to avoid staining your fabrics and upholstery.)

3. put the spray top on tightly

4. shake really well

How to Use your linen spray:

1. shake really well to make sure the vodka and essential oils are mixed

2. spot test the spray on an inconspicuous part of the fabric to make sure that it doesn’t stain or discolor

3. mist the linen spray on the fabric (see above for a list of some of the ways you use linen sprays from rugs to furniture, draperies, towels, and clothes)

4. let the fabric air dry

A few recipes:

Citrus Smile

Citrus oils are fantastic at helping you to feel upbeat and invigorated. With so many citrus oils in this blend, it’s sure to put a smile on your face!

to a 16 ounce spray bottle add…

2 cups vodka

10 drops bergamot

10 drops lime

10 drops lemon

10 drops grapefruit

shake well. spray fabric (be sure to spot test). allow to dry thoroughly before use.

Happy Place

The fresh, slightly woody scent of cypress combines with the sweet smell of orange. The result is balanced feeling of being both grounded and uplifted. Makes for a very happy home!

to a 16 ounce spray bottle add…

2 cups vodka

20 drops cypress

30 drops wild or sweet orange

shake well. spray fabric (be sure to spot test). allow to dry thoroughly before use.

Mojito

Everybody loves a citrus mojito!! The combination of lime, grapefruit, & tangerine, with a touch of spearmint is a way to relax and re-energize!

to a 16 ounce spray bottle add…

2 cups vodka

10 drops lime

10 drops grapefruit

10 drops tangerine

10 drops spearmint

shake well. spray fabric (be sure to spot test). allow to dry thoroughly before use.

Feel Good

Bergamot and orange ground this blend while ylang ylang adds a subtle but exotic floral note and the spearmint gives a fresh hit of mint. The result is a blend that supports emotional balance. Calming, uplifting, and energizing so that you feel good!

to a 16 ounce spray bottle add…

2 cups vodka

14 drops bergamot

14 drops sweet or wild orange

6 drops ylang ylang

8 drops spearmint

shake well. spray fabric (be sure to spot test). allow to dry thoroughly before use.

Energizing Linen Sprays

Happy Morning!

The clean, fresh smell of the blend is a great way to start the day! It will clear the air and put a little pep in your step.

to a 16 ounce spray bottle add…

2 cups vodka

15 drops rosemary

15 drops peppermint

15 drops lemon

shake well. spray fabric (be sure to spot test). allow to dry thoroughly before use.

Wake Up

The slightly sweet, woody earthy scent of clary sage blends with the fresh herbal scent of rosemary and sweet citrus notes of orange, bergamot, and grapefruit. The result is a linen spray that energizes, uplifts, and helps focus the mind. A great way to wake up and start the day!

to a 16 ounce spray bottle add…

2 cups vodka

18 drops sweet or wild orange

6 drops rosemary

6 drops bergamot

6 drops grapefruit

6 drops clary sage

shake well. spray fabric (be sure to spot test). allow to dry thoroughly before use.

These are just a few, feel free to experiment with your favorite scents with pure essential oils.

DIY Deodorizing Pads

I’ve tried commercial deodorizers to cover up the occasional stink, tried scented garbage bags to cover up the smell in the kitchen, but it just made the house smell like chemicals.

Once again, essential oils came to the rescue.

Taking a pack of self-stick adhesive felt pads, and adding a few drops of essential oils to them, I now have all-natural, non-toxic, essential oil deodorizers I can use all over the house!

In minutes I can make an assortment of deodorizers to place all over the house: shoe bins, trash cans, closets, drawers, bathroom toilet paper holder, anywhere a foul smell can happen.

Gather your supplies:

Self-stick adhesive felt pads

Essential Oils

Add only 3-5 drops of essential oils to each pad and place them where you need them like garbage cans. drawers, pantry, recycling bins, totes and the laundry hamper to mention a few.

Here are some essential oils and blends you might want to try. Feel free to customize with your favorite oils and blends.

• 4 drops lemon essential oil

• 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil + 2 drops spearmint essential oil

• 2 drops bergamot essential oil + 2 drops sweet orange essential oil + 1 drop lemon essential oil

• 1 drop tea tree (melaleuca) + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop lime

• 1 drop lemongrass + 1 drop lavender + 1 drop eucalyptus

• 3 drops sweet orange essential oil + 2 drops peppermint essential oil

• 3 drops lemon essential oil + 2 drops cypress essential oil

• 3 drops sweet orange + 1 drop rosemary + 1 drop clove

• 3 drops lemon essential oil + 1 drop clove essential oil

• 1 drop tea tree (melaleuca) + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop orange

• 1 drop lime + 1 drop sweet orange + 1 drop lemon + 2 drops spearmint

• 1 drop lavender + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop rosemary

• 1 drop lavender + 1 drop cypress + 1 drop tea tree

• 1 drop eucalyptus + 1 drop frankincense + 1 drop lemon

• 3 drops grapefruit + 1 drop frankincense + 1 drop peppermint

• 3 drops tangerine + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop tea tree (melaleuca)

• 1 drop lemon + 1 drop peppermint + 1 drop eucalyptus

• 2 drops frankincense + 2 drops cypress + 1 drop ylang ylang

• 1 drop spearmint + 1 drop sweet orange + 1 drop lavender

You may need to refresh the felt pad once per week or so depending on where it's located.