She Strengthens

Revamp Your Space with Natural Air Fresheners

As we spend more time at home, it’s natural to crave a refreshing atmosphere. While essential oils offer numerous health benefits, it’s crucial to approach their use with caution. Consult with your healthcare provider before incorporating essential oils into your daily routine, and always research the quality of a brand’s products. Don’t forget to perform a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

Get Creative with Air Fresheners

Making air fresheners at home is a simple and fun way to revitalize your space. We’ve curated 17 recipes that cater to various scents and preferences. Feel free to experiment with store-bought essential oils, flowers, fruits, and herbs from your garden or local farmers market.

Basic Recipes

For an 8-ounce bottle, follow these guidelines:

• Using baking soda: Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with your preferred essential oils, fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water, and shake. Add a dried herb or flower for extra fragrance.
• Using vodka or witch hazel: Combine equal parts vodka or witch hazel and distilled water, add your preferred essential oil, and shake. Add a dried herb or flower for extra fragrance.

Six Recipes to Get You Started

1. Sleep: Combine 10-20 drops each of lavender and frankincense essential oils.
2. Relax: Blend 12 drops of bergamot, 8 of sweet orange, and 2 of cinnamon.
3. Focus: Mix 10 drops of peppermint, 10 of rosemary, and 5 of lemon.
4. De-stress: Combine 10 drops each of chamomile and ylang-ylang.
5. Colds: Blend 15 drops eucalyptus and 5 of clove.
6. Energy: Mix 15 drops of peppermint and 5 of sweet orange.

Beyond Sprays: Alternative Air Fresheners

If you don’t have ingredients for air freshener sprays, try these creative alternatives:

• Pomander Ball: Fill a firm orange with cloves for a bright, citrusy scent.
• Simmer Pot: Combine dried orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and fresh rosemary in a pot of water for a warm, inviting aroma.
• Herb Bouquet: Arrange fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and mint in a vase or jar for a fragrant centerpiece.
• Dried Herb Incense Bundle: Dry sage and rosemary, then wrap them tightly with twine and hang to dry for 3-4 weeks. Burn like incense for a soothing atmosphere.
• Stovetop Diffuser: Fill a pot with water, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and simmer on low heat.
• Herbal Tea: Steep herbs like lemon balm, mint, and lavender in an infusion tea kettle for a calming, aromatic brew.
• Eucalyptus Shower Bouquet: Hang eucalyptus branches upside down, trim the stems, and tie under the showerhead for a refreshing, steam-released scent.
• Potpourri: Combine dried flower petals, leaves, branches, and pods in a large mason jar for a unique, fragrant blend.
• Branch Bouquet: Choose fragrant blooms from shrubs and trees like gardenias, lilac, and crabapple for a beautiful, scented centerpiece.
• Lavender Dryer Bags: Harvest fresh lavender, dry, and chop or cut into small pieces. Place in a small muslin bag and tie in a knot for a natural, long-lasting scent.