DIY Essential Oil Air Freshener

Make your own aromatherapy air freshener to naturally scent your home.

Make your own essential oil air freshener and avoid the low-quality and fake scents of most commercial air fresheners.

Creating a room spray can be as simple as mixing your favorite essential oil(s) and water in a spray bottle. In general, use 30 to 50 drops of essential oil, depending on the strength of the oil and how strong you want the spray, for each 1/2 cup of water.

Water and essential oils separate, so you must shake the spray vigorously before using. Or you can add a solubilizer, such as Polysorbate 80 or Solubol, to the spray.

Follow these guidelines:

• Use distilled or purified water because the chlorine in tap water can cause essential oils to deteriorate over time.
  
  
• Avoid spraying the blends directly on delicate surfaces or on surfaces where children or pets might ingest the oils.
  
  
• Label your spray bottles and keep them out of reach of children and pets.

• Shake sprays before using.
  

All the essential oil air freshener blends in this article are for use in 1/2 cup of water.

Room Cleansing Sprays

These aromatherapy room sprays have cleansing properties.

• 30 drops bergamot
• 25 drops lemon
• 5 drops peppermint 

or

• 30 drops lemon
• 20 drops thyme
• 10 drops eucalyptus

or 

• 12 drops eucalyptus
• 4 drops peppermint
• 8 drops pine
• 4 drops tea tree or rosemary
• 8 drops bergamot

Sources: Pure Scents for Well Being and Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

General Aromatherapy Sprays

Citrus Blend

• 50 drops orange essential oil
• 35 drops lemon essential oil
• 20 drops grapefruit
• 15 drops cedarwood

Floral Blend

• 50 drops orange
• 25 drops rose
• 20 drops clove
• 15 drops cinnamon
• 10 drops jasmine

Forest Blend

• 50 drops spruce
• 25 drops lavender
• 25 drops eucalyptus
• 20 drops cedarwood

Mint Blend

• 75 drops peppermint
• 35 drops eucalyptus
• 10 drops clove

Spice Blend

• 35 drops caraway
• 20 drops anise
• 20 drops cinnamon
• 20 drops ginger
• 15 drops clove
• 10 drops lime

Source: 500 Formulas For Aromatherapy (This book also has more blends in each category.)

Other Essential Oil Air Freshener Suggestions

As an alternative to a room spray, you can freshen the air by diffusing a few drops of your favorite essential oil using an aromatherapy diffuser. 

Another alternative to air freshener sprays is to saturate cotton balls with an essential oil and place the balls in the corners of a room, in cupboards, in drawers, or in out-of-the-way places.

Also, add a fresh scent to your home by using essential oils for cleaning or using essential oils for the holidays.

Photo Credit: MorgueFile