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DIY Febreze recipes that are natural, non-toxic, & inexpensive
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Whether you want to save some money or control the ingredients you use, it’s super easy to make your own non-toxic fabric refresher. All you need are natural ingredients like isopropyl alcohol, baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils. In this article, we’ll show you how to make several different kinds of Febreze sprays with or without fabric softener. Keep reading to learn more!
Homemade Febreze without Fabric Softener
- Pour ¼ cup (59 ml) of isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle.
- Add ½ cup (118 ml) of distilled water.
- Mix in 15-25 drops of essential oils, like lavender, orange, or peppermint.
- Shake the bottle and spray it around your home, office, or car.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (59 ml) of isopropyl alcohol
- ½ cup (118 ml) of distilled water
- 15 to 25 drops of essential oils
- 1 tablespoon (17 g) of baking soda
- 30 to 40 drops of essential oils
- 1 cup (236 ml) of distilled water
- 1 cup (236 ml) of isopropyl water
- ½ cup (118 ml) of white vinegar
- ½ cup (118 ml) of rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup (236 ml) of distilled water
- 30 to 40 drops of essential oils
- Distilled water
- 30 to 40 drops of essential oils
- 2 teaspoons (12 g) of baking soda
- ¼ cup (59 ml) of fabric softener or scent beads
- Distilled water
Steps
Section 1 of 7:
Febreze Spray without Fabric Softener
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Pour isopropyl alcohol and distilled water into a spray bottle. Insert a funnel into the mouth of a clean spray bottle. Then, add ¼ cup (59 ml) of isopropyl alcohol and ½ cup (118 ml) of distilled water. [1] X Research source
- Isopropyl alcohol is a disinfectant that kills odor-causing germs and bacteria. As a bonus, it evaporates quickly and helps the spray dry faster. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Distilled water removes chemicals and minerals that can cause odors. If you don’t have any on hand, make your own distilled water .
- Tip : Use vodka, grain alcohol, or witch hazel in place of the isopropyl alcohol. [3] X Research source
- Double, triple, or quadruple the recipe if you need to make more Febreze spray.
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Add 15 to 25 drops of your favorite essential oils. While the alcohol in the spray helps get rid of odors, the essential oils make your furniture, linens, and home smell great. Simply add 15 to 25 drops of your favorite essential oil , like lavender, citrus, or mint. Or, combine different essential oils together, like: [4] X Research source
- Orange and peppermint
- Lavender, lemon, and rosemary
- Eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender
- Bergamot, lemon, rosemary, and peppermint
- Orange, ginger, and ylang-ylang
- Alternatively, use a pre-mixed essential oil blend .
- Warning : Some essential oils can be harmful and potentially toxic to dogs, cats, and other pets. Talk to your vet to find out what essential oils are safe to use. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
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Shake the spray bottle well before using it around your home. Screw on the spray bottle top and shake the bottle vigorously to combine all of the ingredients. Then, spray your DIY Febreze spray on fabrics, furniture, and curtains, or simply spray it in the air. [6] X Research source
- Shake the bottle every time you use the spray. The essential oils naturally separate from the water and alcohol.
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Section 2 of 7:
Deodorizing Febreze Spray
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Mix 1 tbsp (17 g) of baking soda with 30 to 40 drops of essential oil. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that removes and neutralizes smells. [7] X Research source Simply pour 1 tablespoon (17 g) of baking soda into a small bowl. Then, add 30 to 40 drops of your favorite essential oils and mix the ingredients together. [8] X Research source
- For instance, use essential oils like lavender, lemon, tea tree, peppermint, bergamot, ginger, or orange. Or, use an essential oil blend .
- Combining the essential oils with the baking soda helps the oils stay in place when you make the rest of the spray.
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Add the baking soda mixture into a spray bottle. Place a funnel inside a clean spray bottle. Then, carefully add in the baking soda and essential oil mixture. [9] X Research source
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Pour 1 c (236 ml) of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol into the bottle. Using distilled water removes smelly chemicals and minerals while the alcohol kills odor-causing bacteria. Simply add 1 cup (236 ml) of distilled water and 1 cup (236 ml) of isopropyl alcohol to the spray bottle. [10] X Research source
- Use vodka or witch hazel as an alternative to isopropyl alcohol. [11] X Research source
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Shake the bottle before using your spray. Twist the spray bottle cap onto the bottle. Then, shake the bottle thoroughly to combine all of the ingredients. Spray your DIY Febreze on furniture, clothes, and blankets, or spray it into the air. [12] X Research source
- Give the bottle a shake before you use it to recombine the ingredients.
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Section 3 of 7:
Disinfecting Febreze Spray
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Pour ½ c (118 ml) of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that also helps kill germs and bacteria. [13] X Research source Just measure out ½ cup (118 ml) of white vinegar and ½ cup (118 ml) of rubbing alcohol and add them to a clean spray bottle. [14] X Research source
- Rubbing alcohol is also effective at neutralizing smells and disinfecting surfaces. It also helps the spray dry quickly.
- Don’t worry if you don’t love the smell of vinegar—it dries without an odor.
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Mix in 1 c (236 ml) of water and 30 drops of disinfecting essential oils. Pour 1 cup (236 ml) of distilled water into the spray bottle. [15] X Research source Then, add in 30 to 40 drops of an essential oil that has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- For example, use lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, cinnamon, or clove.
- Feel free to combine different oils or use other essential oils than those listed here.
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Shake the spray bottle before using your fabric refresher. Tighten the spray bottle cap and then shake the bottle vigorously to combine all of the ingredients. Then, spritz the spray around your house to disinfect and freshen furniture, linens, and clothes. [17] X Research source
- Always shake your spray bottle before using it. The essential oils naturally separate from the other ingredients.
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Section 4 of 7:
Febreze Room Spray
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Fill a spray bottle with water and 30 to 40 drops of essential oils. For a quick, DIY room spray that freshens your space and masks smells, add distilled water to a clean spray bottle. Then, pour in 30 to 40 drops of your favorite essential oil , or combine different oils together. [18] X Research source
- For example, combine:
- Lavender, rosemary, and peppermint
- Bergamont, patchouli, and eucalyptus
- Cinnamon, clove, and orange
- Geranium, rose, and lavender
- As an alternative, use an essential oil blend .
- Leave some space at the top of the bottle so the mixture doesn’t spill out when you put on the top.
- For example, combine:
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Shake up the bottle and spritz the spray around your house. Screw on the top and shake the bottle to mix the water and essential oils together. Then, spray it in your kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, or car to leave your space smelling great. [19] X Research source
- Because this spray doesn’t include a deodorizer like alcohol, baking soda, or vinegar, it won’t neutralize odors. However, it will leave your home with a pleasant scent.
- Shake the spray bottle before using it, as essential oils separate from water.
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Section 5 of 7:
Febreze Spray with Fabric Softener
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Add baking soda and fabric softener to a spray bottle. Insert a funnel inside a clean spray bottle. Then, pour in 2 teaspoons (12 g) of baking soda and ¼ cup (59 ml) of the fabric softener of your choice. [20] X Research source
- The baking soda absorbs odors while the fabric softener leaves your furniture and fabrics smelling fresh and clean.
- Use a fabric softener in your favorite scent, or use whatever softener you have on hand.
- As an alternative , use scented beads, like Downy Scent Booster Beads , in place of fabric softener.
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Fill the rest of the spray bottle with hot distilled water. Heat enough distilled water to fill the rest of the spray bottle. Just bring the water to a boil over your stove or in an electric kettle. Then, let the water cool down for 30 to 60 minutes before pouring it into the bottle. [21] X Research source
- Using hot water instead of lukewarm or cool water helps the baking soda and fabric softener to dissolve and mix with the water.
- Distilled water removes impurities that can cause odors.
- Leave a bit of room at the top of the bottle so the mixture doesn’t overflow when you put on the cap.
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Shake the spray bottle thoroughly before using it. Put the cap on the spray bottle and then shake and swirl it to mix the ingredients together. Then, use your homemade Febreze spray just as you would use the commercial version. Spray it on bedding, rugs, drapery, furniture, and carpets to get rid of odors and make your place smell great. [22] X Research source
- If you used scent beads , let the bottle sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour to give the beads time to dissolve. Then, shake up the bottle.
- Shake up your spray bottle before you use it to combine any ingredients that separated while it was in storage.
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Tips
- Spot-test your Febreze spray on a hidden part of the item you’re deodorizing to make sure it doesn’t stain or discolor the item.Thanks
- Store your homemade Febreze spray in a cool, dark spot, like in a cupboard, linen closet, or laundry room. Or, keep it in your refrigerator.Thanks
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Warnings
- Some essential oils can be irritating or toxic to animals. If you have pets in the house, talk to your veterinarian about which essential oils are safe to use around them. [33] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CbwubKv5MpY
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-bottle-of-rubbing-alcohol
- ↑ http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/06/homemade-air-fresheners.html
- ↑ http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/06/homemade-air-fresheners.html
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/are-essential-oils-safe-for-dogs/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/YX27kooKBbo?si=H64USB2G44cAiwD3&t=173
- ↑ https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
- ↑ https://youtu.be/hA1s00hhdSo?si=zLZ48Z7wCcNFoST2&t=100
- ↑ https://youtu.be/hA1s00hhdSo?si=GwHSyk-XskvFuFEx&t=214
- ↑ https://www.terristeffes.com/2016/02/homemade-febreze.html
- ↑ https://testkitchentuesday.com/2014/04/24/diy-natural-febreze/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/hA1s00hhdSo?si=lVE2tLyAvbzkvtff&t=249
- ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/archive/home-cleaning-chemicals
- ↑ https://youtu.be/U1nxT6p4-UA?si=ae94C7KuqmoukmU-&t=19
- ↑ https://www.momfabulous.com/diy-all-natural-linen-spray/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6612361/
- ↑ https://www.momfabulous.com/diy-all-natural-linen-spray/
- ↑ https://bevcooks.com/2015/03/diy-spray-cleaners-and-room-spray-using-essential-oils/
- ↑ https://bevcooks.com/2015/03/diy-spray-cleaners-and-room-spray-using-essential-oils/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/qZGvsMH0GSY?si=o6vPVsrPcC0FgInq&t=34
- ↑ https://youtu.be/9Mm1kCgFWZM?si=pU3D_o1waU1FQ4Gm&t=94
- ↑ https://youtu.be/3lJ_nb-hb3s?si=8viEVZ0BtaMvK9nF&t=134
- ↑ https://www.ewg.org/cleaners/products/2781-FebrezeFabricRefresherExtraStrengthOriginalScent/
- ↑ https://www.ewg.org/cleaners/substances/1920-DIPROPYLENEGLYCOL/
- ↑ https://www.febreze.com/en-us/ingredients-safety/our-ingredients
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-often-should-you-vacuum-7092714
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/washing-machines/how-to-do-laundry-without-ruining-your-clothes/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-wash-your-bed-sheets
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-the-refrigerator-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-203976
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/g31292850/how-to-clean-bathroom/
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-clean-trash-can-7255450
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-groom-your-dog-home
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/are-essential-oils-safe-for-dogs/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make your own air- and fabric-freshening spray that works just like Febreze, start by boiling 2 cups (470 mL) of water in a saucepan or kettle. As soon as the water reaches a rolling boil, take the pan off the heat and mix in 1/3 cup (73 g) of baking soda and 1 cup (235 mL) of fabric softener liquid or beads. Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are dissolved and thoroughly combined. Let the mixture cool for about 30-60 minutes or until it reaches room temperature, then transfer it into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle before using your copycat Febreze. If you want to make an air freshener without using fabric softener, combine ½ cup (118 mL) of rubbing alcohol or vodka with ½ cup (118 mL) of water in a spray bottle, then add 15-25 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake the mixture well before spraying it on musty surfaces for a boost of deodorizing freshness. To learn how to make homemade Febreze without fabric softener, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "We have pets (a lot of rescue animals), and went through a lot a fabric freshener. This recipe saves me lots of money. It is very cheap to make your own, and I know exactly what went into this. Thanks!" ..." more
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"We have pets (a lot of rescue animals), and went through a lot a fabric freshener. This recipe saves me lots of money. It is very cheap to make your own, and I know exactly what went into this. Thanks!"
..."
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"It seems to work. I love the fact that I can make this product using simple household ingredients that I tend to keep on hand."
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"It gave me precise measurements that were perfect, thank you!"
"It was exactly what I thought. Very helpful, thank you."
"I made it and it smells so good. I used actual Downy."
