Making Your Own Air Freshener

From LoveToKnow Cats

If you have taken a look at web site or read my bio, you know I love to create all natural pet products. I have a whole line of all natural odor elimator products I sell, including a patented product called FRESHEN VAC. I'd like to share some of my trade secrets that I like do to at home, for myself, and my company.

Mix baking soda and water in a spray bottle for a homemade freshener.
Mix baking soda and water in a spray bottle for a homemade freshener.

Simmering Freshener

I keep a small simmering potpourri crockpot out on my kitchen counter and fill it half full with water. Next I add a few cloves, a couple of dashes of cinnamon, and 10 tablespoons of extract (vanilla, orange, etc). Citrus peels are another great ingredient. Plug in the crockpot and you have a warm, comfortable smell wafting throughout your home that isn't overly pungent like some of those expensive wall-outlet units. Just be careful to watch the water level of your crockpot as the heat will cause evaporation. You don't want this to run dry. If you don't have a potpourri crock, any crockpot will do. You may also simmer homemade scents in a small saucepan on the stove.

Homemade Fresheners

  • Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray. The baking soda absorbs odors. You can also add a little scent if you want. I like to use any all natural oil I buy at the natural market. Alternatively, you can spray undiluted white vinegar in the air. The vinegar smell evaporates very quickly, taking odors with it.
  • Place a bowl of vinegar on the counter and let it sit for a few hours.
  • Fill a parmesan cheese shaker with baking soda and add 10 to 20 drops of essential oils, mixing well with the baking soda. I get the essential oils at the all natural market, for example, we have two markets in Los Angeles – Whole Foods and Wild Oats – both have a wide selection of essential oils. You can also find essential oils at some beauty supply stores. I also add table salt to the baking soda, because if you have fleas, this will help to dry them up and help to kill them before you vacuum. Sprinkle over carpets and let it sit as long as possible (overnight is best), then vacuum.
  • If you burn scented candles, save any wax bits left over and add them to a wax potpourri burner. If you mix scented and unscented, they will last longer.
  • Put fancy soaps in your drawers to freshen your clothes.
  • Bake. It makes the house smell good and you get something to eat as well. If you bake one of my all natural cookie treats, not only does the house smell great, but your kitty will be purring for his or her next treat.
  • Put essential oils in a light bulb ring. You can purchase these rings at any craft store.
  • Dilute your essential oils in a spray bottle, put on the finest setting, and mist your rooms with it. This also works on sheets, pillowcases, and towels.
  • For the bathroom, dampen a cotton swab with your favorite essential oils and swab the inside of a toilet paper roll. Each time the toilet paper is rolled, a fresh scent will fill the room.

Scented Rocks

Scented rocks make a great air freshener. Mix 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup flour in a bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon of a favorite essential oil, 2/3 cup boiling water and a few drops of a food coloring to create a desired shade. Blend all ingredients, form into balls, and allow to dry.

Alternatively, you can make a small amount of Plaster of Paris (which you can buy at any craft store), using liquid potpourri instead of water. You can buy silicone bakeware in heart, flower and other fun shapes – then pour the liquid Plaster of Paris into the molds and let it dry completely. Pop them out and you have scented rocks. Put them in a mesh bag and hang in your car, your closet, in a drawer, next to the litter box -- anywhere odors happen.

Smelly Jelly

I just love to give this at holiday time – if you take the time, you can make them look very pretty and your friends will go crazy for them.

  • 2 cups concentrated potpourri liquid
  • 4 envelopes Knox gelatin®
  • 1 tablespoon salt (to deter molding)
  • 1/4 teaspoon of food coloring

Heat 1 cup potpourri liquid until almost boiling. Remove from heat. Add four envelopes Knox Gelatin® and 1 tablespoon salt. Stir until dissolved. Add remaining 1 cup potpourri and food coloring to create your desired color. Pour into clean jars and allow to set. If you’re in a hurry, lightly cover and refrigerate them to speed the process. Jelly jars with plaid, stripes, and dots are a fun touch, as is adding raffia (available at craft stores) or ribbon around the top.

I hope you try some of these fun and good smelling tips. Sometimes when we have our furry loved ones, we become immune to the odor, but our company does not.

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Comments

Hi Hayley,

A lot will depend upon what specifically your cat is allergic to. The vet can perform a skin test to find out. Other than that, here are some natural fresheners that I use in my home:

  • Pot of simmering water with cinnamon sticks, vanilla or a sliced orange and nutmeg. (Be careful you don't forget it is on the stove. You may want to invest in a potpourri pot instead.)
  • Baking soda sprinkled on the carpet and vacuumed.
  • 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water + essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle. Note that this will stink when you first spray it, but as it dries, the vinegar smell will go away.

Hope that gets you started. You may also want to read the article at our crafts site, which details how to make your own potpourri.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

the vet believes my cat may have asthma. I have stopped using traditional air fresheners and plug ins. What would be a suitable alternative?

-- Contributed by: Hayley

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