How to Make a Homemade Air Freshener

WHY REMOVE SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE FROM THE HOME?

Synthetic fragrance is used in most conventional household products including laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash, cleaning products and more. If it’s used in so many products, then surely it’s not bad, right? Wrong. According to this  Huffington Post article, “More than 95 percent of the  chemicals  in synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals.” Petrochemicals are made from petroleum. One of the most well known petrochemicals are known as phthalates. Phthalates can affect the reproductive system and have other health risks.

Other issues with the use of synthetic fragrances in your home include increased asthmatic symptoms in those with asthma, endocrine disruption, as well as skin allergies. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, “Fragrance allergy is the number one cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis in the U.S.”

If you’re trying to clean up your home and live a lower toxic lifestyle, then ditching synthetic fragrance and other chemicals is a great place to start! Not only will removing synthetic air fresheners and candles be good for your overall health, but replacing things like laundry detergent and laundry scent boosters with more natural alternatives will help too! If you want to know more about switching to an all natural laundry routine, check out this post! Now let’s get into how to make your very own homemade air freshener!

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED:

• Small mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small glass jar (an 8 oz mason jar works well)
• Canning ring (if using a mason jar)
• Thin piece of fabric (preferably cotton)
• Pencil and scissors
• Twine, yarn, string or rubber band (if not using a mason jar)

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup baking soda
• 20-30 drops of favorite essential oils total of 40-60 drops
• 1-3 tsp favorite herbs and/or spices

HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE AIR FRESHENER

On a piece of fabric, trace a circle (use a small bowl or cup) that’s twice the diameter of your jar or container. Cut it out and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, combine baking soda, essential oils and/or spices or herbs.

Add the mixture to your small jar of choice and place a thin piece of fabric (preferably cotton) over the opening of the jar and secure it with a canning ring (if using a mason jar) or twine, string, et cetera.

Place the air freshener in a place of your choosing! I recommend a small area like a bathroom. See the notes below for more information.

NOTES

• Don’t want to use essential oils or don’t have any? No problem, try adding dried orange peel powder, dried lemon zest, spices like cinnamon and allspice or dried herbs!
• If you don’t have any fabric to cover the opening of your jar, you can use a piece of paper or cardstock. Simple cut it in a circle big enough to cover the opening of the jar and attach it. Using a needle or end of a pencil, poke holes into the top. If you don’ t have kids or pets that could knock it down, you don’t have to put a cover on it at all.
• This type of homemade air freshener will not be as potent as conventional air fresheners. I recommend using these in small areas of the home, like the bathroom.
• Because homemade air fresheners are made with baking soda, it will not only smell good, but help to eliminate odors in the space as well!

Did you make this homemade air freshener? Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this air freshener!