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Lift your spirits and make your home smell inviting with these easy essential oil air freshener recipes. Aromatherapy ideas for every room in the house!
This post was originally published by FragranceX.
DIY Essential Oil Air Freshener Recipes
No matter how much effort and interior design you put into your home to make it look beautiful, a bad smell is enough to ruin the atmosphere.
However, not-so-pleasant smells can be hard to avoid — particularly those who have pets, mildew problems or continuously cook with potent ingredients.
A scented home makes your space more comfortable and inviting, but standard candles, cleaners and air fresheners contain toxic chemicals that, over time, can be harmful to your overall health.
Thankfully, there are plenty of natural ways to scent your home using essential oils that’s both creative and easy to use.
Check out these unique DIY essential oil air freshener recipes that will fragrance your home to lift your spirits, ease the mind and add soothing freshness to your space.
Home and Office Aromatherapy
The main areas of your home include your living room, kitchen and maybe even your office.
It’s important to keep these areas smelling fresh and clean, as this is where you spend most of your time.
Check out these DIY essential oil air freshener recipes to scent your home and office to make them feel cozy and inviting.
1. DIY Reed Diffuser
Reed diffusers are decorative air fresheners that are commonly in narrow-necked jars with long reeds inserted into the scented oil inside the container. The reeds absorb the scented oil from the container and release the fragrance to freshen up the air while dueling as a cute decorative element to your space. Add these diffusers to your desk or countertop to freshen up your space.
What You’ll Need:
- Jar with small neck
- Almond or grapeseed oil
- 30 drops drops of essential oil or oil blend
- Rattan reeds or bamboo skewers
Instructions:
- Add 1-2 inches of your saffron, almond or baby oil to your jar.
- Fill the jar with 30 drops of your essential oil or oil blend.
- Insert rattan reeds or trimmed bamboo skewers into the jar.
2. Citrus Peel Candle
If you are drawn to all-natural scents and sustainable ingredients, a citrus peel candle is just for you. All you need is an orange, vegetable oil, a citrus essential oil and a lighter to fill your home with a pleasantly fruity scent that’s non-toxic and eco-friendly.
What You’ll Need:
- Citrus fruit (orange, tangerine, etc.)
- Knife
- Vegetable oil
- 10 drops of citrus essential oil
Instructions:
- Cut the orange in half and slice around the orange flesh, making sure not to create holes in the peel.
- Scoop out the orange flesh until it’s completely clean and white, leaving the stem in the middle.
- Pour vegetable oil half way up the stem.
- Add about 10 drops of a citrus essential oil to the oil for added scent.
- Light the stem (patience is key) and then sit back and relax.
3. Himalayan Salt Diffuser
Not only can Himalayan salt enhance the flavor of your food, but it can also freshen up the air in your home. Himalayan salt is known to have air-cleansing properties, and it has a pretty pink color makes it a great addition to your desk, side table or kitchen counter. Just add essential oils and place an unscented candle on top to allow the aroma to fill the air.
What You’ll Need:
- Glass jar
- 1 cup Himalayan salt
- 30 drops of essential oil or oil blend
- Unscented candle
Instructions:
- Pour Himalayan salt into a glass jar.
- Drop around 30 drops of essential oil or oil blend into the salt and stir it in.
- Place an unscented candle on top of the salt and light it up.
4. DIY Vacuum Refresher
Whether you have kids or pets, carpets are notorious for trapping odors which can make your room smell musty. Freshen up your room by using this all-natural carpet deodorizer. Sprinkle this powder all over your carpets and let it sit for up to 24 hours. Then vacuum it all up and have your entire room smell fresh and clean.
What You’ll Need:
- Vacuum
- Baking soda
- Dredge shaker or mason jar with holes poked in the lid
Instructions:
- Fill your dredge shaker or jar halfway full of baking soda.
- Place 5-10 drops of essential oil or oil blend in the jar.
- Seal the jar and shake the ingredients around.
- Repeat step one and two.
- Let the mixture sit for at least a day so the oils can spread out in your mix.
- Add your lid with holes for use.
5. DIY Coffee Ground Candle
There’s nothing like the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. What if we told you the warm nutty fragrance of coffee can be smelt at all times of the day? This DIY coffee ground candle is super easy to make and gives use to your old or expired coffee beans. Add a few drops of vanilla or cinnamon essential oil into the grounded up coffee beans and light a candle on top. The candle will heat up the scented grounds which will make your living space smell like your favorite local coffee shop.
What You’ll Need:
- ¼ Pint mason jar
- Coffee grounds
- 10 drops of vanilla or cinnamon essential oil
- Unscented candle
Instructions:
- Fill your mason jar halfway with coffee grounds.
- Add about 10 drops of vanilla or cinnamon essential oil into the ground and stir around until mixed.
- Place your unscented candle on top and light.
Bedroom Aromatherapy
Keeping your bedroom smelling fresh and clean is important as you spend a third of your life sleeping.
If you are spending that time breathing in musty or stinky aromas, you’re diminishing the power of a good night’s rest and reducing your space’s tranquility.
Ideally, a bedroom should be fresh, clean and lightly fragranced, and these DIY essential oil air freshener recipes will result in the best smelling bedroom possible.
1. DIY Linen Spray
Linen spray is perfect for the bedroom as it makes your sheets, pillows and blankets smell fresh and relaxing. A light floral scent like lavender is perfect because it fights insomnia, reduces anxiety and eases depression. The refreshing scent from your linens will carry into your bedroom air creating a relaxing oasis to unwind in after a long day.
What You’ll Need:
- Small jar with lid
- 4 oz amber spray bottle
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
- 6 tablespoons of water
- 10 drops of essential oil or oil blend (recommend lavender)
Instructions:
- In your jar, combine the witch hazel and 10 drops of essential oil. Replace the lid and shake together to combine.
- Add in the water. Replace lid and shake to combine.
- Use your funnel to distribute the mixture from your jar to your spray bottle.
2. Scented Stuffed Animal
If you have kids or have a plush toy in your bedroom, adding essential oils to them not only freshens the air in your bedroom, but also helps those who cuddle with it drift off into a peaceful slumber. An oil like lavender is kid safe and helps aid in sleep which makes it an ideal essential oil for your stuffed animals.
What You’ll Need:
- Stuffed animal
- 2-5 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions:
- Put a couple drops of lavender on the corners of a stuffed animal.
- Add the essential oil to a stuffed animal’s ears, feet, hands or underside.
Other Kid Safe Oils:
- Roman chamomile
- Dill
- Eucalyptus
3. DIY Sachet Bag
A sachet is traditionally a scented bag used to scent clothes in your drawers or closet. Making a DIY sachet will not only make your clothes smell pleasant, but also your bedroom air. If you love crafting or have a steady hand with a needle and thread, check out how to make your own sachet bag with essential oils.
What You’ll Need:
- 100% cotton material
- ¾ cups of uncooked rice
- Bowl
- Iron
- Two 4 ½ wide by 6 inch tall pieces of fabric (patterns or designs encourages)
- Sewing machine or thread and needle
- 5-10 drops of essential oil or oil blend
- Ribbon (optional)
Instructions:
- In your bowl, mix the uncooked rice with 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil or oil blend. Allow the mixture to dry.
- Cut a 4 inch wide by 8 inch tall piece out of your cotton material and fold the piece in half.
- Sew 3 sides together using a ¼ seam allowance. Flip inside-out so the seams don’t show and iron it down.
- Fill the bag with the scented rice.
- Fold the open seam of the bag down about ¼ of an inch and then fold it down another ¼ of an inch. Use a wide stitch to close this side.
- Repeat step three with the patterned fabric. Flip and iron.
- Put the rice bag inside the patterned bag and tie it closed with your ribbon.
4. Scented Fake Plants
Plants in your bedroom are great additions to make it feel lively and cozy at the same time. If a fragrant herb garden seems daunting to care for, adding essential oils to a fake plant is a great way to scent your home without the work. Just add relaxing essential oils such as lavender or Roman chamomile to the leaves of a fake plant and let the gentle aroma fill the air of your bedroom.
What You’ll Need:
- Fake plant
- 10 drops of essential oil or oil blend
- Cotton ball (optional)
Instructions:
- Put a couple drops of essential oil or oil blend on the leaves of a fake plant of your choice.
- For extra fragrance, add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and hide it within the pot of your faux plant.
5. DIY Mason Jar Oil Candles
Mason jar oil candles are beautiful DIY decorations to add to your space while also offering a light fragrance to the air. Filling your jar with decorative elements such as flowers, mini pinecones, fruits and more makes it a unique and eye-catching addition to your bedroom. Ditch the toxic wax candles and get crafty with these easy DIY oil candles.
What You’ll Need:
- Large floating wicks
- Vegetable oil
- Mason Jar
- 15-20 drops of essential oil or oil blend
- Decorative elements like flowers, mini pinecones, etc.
Instructions:
- Fill your mason jar with your decorative elements and assemble them the way you want.
- Mix your essential oils and vegetable oil together and pour the oil in your jar, until the oil forms a layer of about ¼ inches thick.
- Add your floating wick to the top and light.
Bathroom Aromatherapy
When it comes to the bathroom, odors happen.
Although there are times your bathroom might smell less than fresh, keeping it smelling good makes the space more pleasant and relaxing.
Try some of these DIY essential oil air freshener recipes for your bathroom to create an aromatic experience every time you walk in the room.
1. DIY Shower Steamer
A shower steamer is like the shower version of a bath bomb. All you have to do is place it on the floor of your shower while you shower and let it fizzles and emanate refreshing scents. The shower steamer will bubble up once it comes in contact with water and the steam from your shower will carry its invigorating scent throughout the air.
What You’ll Need:
- Silicone mold
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- 30 drops of essential oil or oil blend
- Witch hazel in a fine mist spray bottle
Instructions:
- Combine baking soda and citric acid in a mixing bowl until thoroughly mixed.
- Add in your drops of essential oil or oil blend and stir within the mixture.
- Spray witch hazel into the mixture until the powder can hold together when you squeeze it in your hands.
- Pack the mixture into a silicone mold and leave to dry overnight.
2. Infused Towels
There’s nothing like stepping out of a shower to be wrapped in a fluffy clean towel. To amplify that experience, try infusing your towels with essential oils. Not only will it make your towels smell even better, but it’ll lightly scent the air in your bathroom making it the perfect subtle air freshener.
What You’ll Need:
- Towels
- 2-5 drops of essential oil or oil blend
Instructions:
- Add a few drops of essential oil to the corners of your towel, where the seem is thickest.
- Take the corners of your towel and gently rub it all over the inside of your towels to create a light fragrance throughout.
3. Eucalyptus Showerhead
Adding a bushel of eucalyptus to your showerhead looks so pretty and spa-like. It provides a sense of tranquility along with other benefits such as lowering stress levels and boosting energy levels. On top of all that, it makes your shower smell like a refreshing forest with a relaxing minty aroma. Adding eucalyptus essential oil to the leaves and stem of your bunch will intensify the smell, making your bathroom air super fresh.
What You’ll Need:
- 3-12 small branches of fresh or dried eucalyptus leaves
- 1-3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- Ribbon or string
- Small rubber band or hair tie
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut the ends down of the branches and remove leaves from the bottom of each branch.
- Cut string approximately 24 inches long.
- Wrap a rubber band around the branches to keep them together for tying.
- Tie the bottom of the branches together, right under the leaves, with your string.
- Use the ends of your string to attach the eucalyptus to the showerhead, making sure the bouquet is not directly under the water stream.
- Add 1-3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to intensify the scent.
Note: Eucalyptus bouquet should last around 3 weeks before needing replacement.
4. DIY Toilet Spray
To keep your toilet smelling fresh and odor-free, try this handy DIY toilet spray. Just apply 5-10 sprays in your toilet water before using the restroom. For extra fragrance, add in a few extra sprays after you flush. Not only will it make your toilet cleaner, but will freshen the bathroom air so you can avoid any unwanted smells.
What You’ll Need:
- 4 oz amber spray bottle
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vodka or rubbing alcohol
- 1 teaspoon dish soap
- 30 drops of essential oil or oil blend
Instructions:
- Fill your bottle almost full with water, leaving enough room for other ingredients.
- Pour your vodka or rubbing alcohol as well as the dish soap into the water.
- Add in your essential oils.
- Screw on your lid and shake until mixture is completely combined.
- Shake the bottle before every use.
5. DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
If you are in need of a reliable, all-round bathroom cleaner that won’t make you choke on the strong chemical smell, try using this all-purpose cleaner. Not only will it thoroughly clean your counters, tiles, toilets and tubs, but it will also make your entire bathroom smell fresh and clean.
What You’ll Need:
- Medium or large amber spray bottle
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon dish soap
- 25 drops of essential oil or oil blend
Instructions:
- Pour vinegar, water and dish soap into an amber spray bottle.
- Add 25 drips of your favorite essential oil or oil blend in the bottle.
- Shake ingredients in the amber bottle together to combine ingredients.
Essential Oil Scent Blends For Any Space
Now that you know how to make your own DIY essential oil air freshener recipes, it’s time to pick a scent to add to them.
If you don’t have a clue which oils would work best for you and your space, check out this chart to help pick out the essential oil blend you never knew you needed.
Happy Home
This blend combines fruity citrus with exhilarating scents like peppermint and frankincense to uplift the spirits and boost the mood in your home. Try using this blend in the common areas of your home, such as the kitchen and living room, to spread this mood-boosting fragrance among your living space.
Blend Type: Happy blend
Ingredients:
- 2 drops wild orange
- 2 drops peppermint
- 2 drops frankincense
- 2 drops lime
Sweet Dreams
If you’re in need of a calmful blend to ease you into a peaceful slumber, this blend of sleep-inducing floral essential oils is perfect for you. Try using this blend somewhere in your bedroom or in your DIY linen spray to freshen up your pillows and sheets.
Blend Type: Sleepy blend
Ingredients:
- 3 drops lavender
- 3 drops geranium
- 2 drops roman chamomile
- 2 drops ylang-ylang
Spa Day
To help relieve stress after a long day at work or school, try this relaxing blend of floral, woody and fruity accords. Add this blend to your bathroom for when you are giving yourself a self-care spa day or working on your skincare routine.
Blend Type: Stress-reducing blend
Ingredients:
- 4 drops lavender
- 2 drops cedarwood
- 2 drops wild orange
- 1 drop ylang-ylang
Inspired Mind
Improve your productivity with this essential oil blend of peppermint, cinnamon and rosemary. Try using this blend in your office or at your desk to keep yourself productive, alert and focused during work.
Blend Type: Focus blend
Ingredients:
- 4 drops peppermint
- 4 drops cinnamon
- 2 drops rosemary
Warm Hugs
If you’re looking for a warm and sweet fragrance to scent your home, this blend of vanilla, bergamot and creamy sandalwood is the perfect fit. Use this blend to wow your guests with a comforting and inviting scent right as they step into your home.
Blend Type: Comforting blend
Ingredients:
- 5 drops vanilla
- 4 drops bergamot
- 3 drops sandalwood
Essential oils offer so many benefits, whether it be naturally scenting your home, aiding in self-care and even offering cold and flu relief. They can be used just about anywhere and freshen the air with natural and non-toxic scents.
