If you’ve read our other blog articles, you’ve heard several times how toxic air fresheners are to your home!
Air fresheners contain several harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances to make them smell the way they do. However, these chemicals have been linked to countless health issues, like cancer, neurological disorders, a weakened immune system, infertility, learning disabilities, and much more. So, every time an air freshener is used in your home, it releases a host of chemicals into the air that harm you and your family.
Fortunately, there are several safe alternatives to air fresheners that you can use in your home that will make it smell absolutely wonderful. Here are 7 natural DIY air fresheners you should try.
Stovetop Potpourri
After you’ve cleaned up the kitchen from dinner, a super easy and effective way to leave a delightful smell lingering in the air is with a stovetop potpourri. Stovetop potpourri has become increasingly popular, especially since more knowledge about harmful fragrances has become more prevalent.
If you haven’t heard of it before, a stovetop potpourri involves simply boiling a pot of water on a stovetop to heat aromatic ingredients. All you have to do is add some ingredients to a pot of water, bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat down to a simmer, and let sit for as long as you desire. Just make sure to check the water every ½ hour to make sure the water doesn’t evaporate and to add water as needed. As far as the ingredients go, you can add things like cinnamon sticks, orange and lemon slices, fresh herbs, essential oils, and more.
There are several stovetop potpourri recipes online, from fall recipes to essential oil recipes, so look up a few and get started!
Homemade Scented Candles
Many of the regular, store-bought candles unfortunately contain the same harmful synthetic fragrances that mainstream air fresheners do. However, making your own homemade, safe scented candles is super easy and super rewarding!
There are many recipes online to help you do so, but all you really need is clean-burning soy wax or beeswax (make sure it contains no paraffin and that it’s 100% soy or beeswax), wicks, a pot to melt the wax in, another container for the finished candle, and some essential oils. With a few steps, you’ll have some homemade scented candles that will make your home smell great!
Here’s a few recipes we suggest:
Homemade Air Fresheners
If you need to quickly freshen up your home, instead of buying toxic air fresheners, you can also make your own with just a few ingredients! Homemade air fresheners are a cheaper and healthier alternative to the popular commercial ones, like Lysol and Febreeze. Just like with the homemade scented candles, there are numerous recipes online to help you do so. One simple recipe combines ½ cup of white vinegar, 1½ cups of water, and 15 drops of an essential oil in a spray bottle. If you need some more specific recipes to get you started, like a citrus mint or cozy holiday air freshener, here’s 10 homemade air freshener recipes that can help.
Essential Oil Diffusers
If you’ve been following our blog, you know how much we love essential oil diffusers. They are super effective and affordable, and will make an entire room smell delightful in no time. Just add some water to a diffuser, and add a few drops of any essential oil you’d like. You can even combine two essential oils to create an even better fragrance. For example, try combining citrus and peppermint oil, or rosemary and lemon oil. You can even cater the oils to a mood you’re trying to promote, like an energetic or focused mood.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great deodorizer that can be used either on its own or with essential oils. More and more individuals are placing a small, open container of baking soda in places like their fridge or cupboards to eliminate any unpleasant smells. Though it won’t really make your home smell like anything on its own, adding some essential oils can infuse a subtle, wonderful smell within your home. Just pour some baking soda into an open container, add a couple drops of essential oils, like lemon, lavender, or peppermint, and place the container in whatever room or area you’d like!
Oil Reed Diffuser
Oil reed diffusers are similar to essential oil diffusers and just as effective. They are also super simple to make and super stylish for your home! Oil reed diffusers work when a few rattan reeds or bamboo skewers are placed into a fragrant oil. When placed into the oil, the reeds will soak it up and disperse the scent into the air.
To make your own oil reed diffuser, just grab an open glass or ceramic container and pour a light oil of your choice, like almond or safflower oil, along with several drops of an essential oil(s), into it. Then, just place a few reeds into the oil, and you’re good to go! Place a few throughout your home and it will smell delightful in no time!
Indoor Herb Garden
Everyone knows and loves the smell of fresh herbs! Whose mouth doesn’t water at the smell of cooking rosemary or mint? Having an indoor herb garden will not only make your home smell clean and lovely and add to your home’s aesthetic appeal, but it will also provide fresh herbs for you to cook with or add to a beverage!
Herb gardens are super easy to grow indoors, especially with plants like mint, parsley, and basil. All you need is proper containers, the right plants, a sunny spot, and a little care to yield great results.
Does Your Home Need a Safe & Effective Green Cleaning?
Air fresheners aren’t the only things that are toxic for your home, but also many mainstream cleaning products! That’s why our team at Kauai Green Cleaning Services is committed to thoroughly cleaning your home or business without the use of any synthetic, harmful chemicals. We offer a variety of services, from residential cleanings to car detailing, that are all completely eco-friendly. Call us today at (808) 652-5391 to schedule your green cleaning or property care service. We’d love to work with you!
