You’ll agree that an unpleasant smell in your apartment can ruin even the coziest evening, while store-bought aerosols often reek of harsh “chemicals” and make you want to throw open a window right away.
The truth is, filling your home with the cozy scent of fresh linen, warm cinnamon, or juicy citrus takes just a couple of minutes — and you won’t have to spend a fortune doing it.
At AdmiGram.com, we’ve rounded up simple, budget-friendly recipes for natural air fresheners made from ingredients you probably already have on hand.
DIY Air Fresheners for Home
For the Restroom
© two ken / Flickr
You will need:
- Inexpensive cosmetic oil
- A decorative container to hold the finished freshener
- 5–7 wooden sticks
- 5 young pine cones (still green and soft)
Steps:
Bring a cup of water to a boil in a small pot, then add the pine cones and simmer for 10 minutes. Let the decoction cool to room temperature, then crush the cones slightly to release more of their scent. Strain the cooled liquid into your prepared container and mix in the cosmetic oil at a 1:1 ratio.
Insert the wooden sticks into the mixture. Since oil is lighter than water, it will rise to the top and form a seal that slows evaporation of the pine scent underneath. To refresh the aroma at any time, simply give the sticks a stir. A freshener made this way will last for a couple of months.
For the Living Room
© Michael Goodine / Flickr
You will need:
- Glass cups or small jars
- Water
- One or more essential oils in your preferred scent (fir, eucalyptus, and tea tree all work well)
- Gelatin, glycerin, and cinnamon
- Optional decorations: food coloring, small shells or pebbles, dried flowers, or fruit slices
Steps:
Warm one cup of water in a small pot over low heat — it should stay warm, not hot. Stir in 2 tablespoons of gelatin until fully dissolved, then add a pinch of cinnamon and let it steep briefly without letting the mixture cool. Once it starts to cool slightly, stir in 1–2 teaspoons of glycerin, followed by 5–10 drops of essential oil.
For natural color, try beet juice, instant coffee, or crushed mulberries. Pour the mixture into molds that already contain your chosen decorations, then let it set for 3–4 hours. The finished freshener will scent your room for about two weeks and doubles as a small piece of decor. If a crust forms on top after a couple of days, smooth a little glycerin over the surface to soften it.
For the Bathroom
© Danny Molyneux / Flickr
You will need:
- Inexpensive cosmetic oil
- A wide-mouthed container to hold the freshener
- 2 tablespoons of vodka
- Wooden sticks
- 5–10 drops of essential oil (lavender, rosemary, or lemon)
Steps:
Fill the container with oil and vodka, then add your essential oil of choice and stir well. Place the wooden sticks in the mixture and let them soak for 6 hours. Flip the sticks over and let them soak for another 6 hours on the other side.
From then on, flip the sticks twice a day — morning and evening — to keep the scent circulating. The strength of the fragrance will depend on how many sticks you use.
For the Kitchen
© Kaffeebart / Unsplash
You will need:
- Citrus fruits (orange, lime, lemon, mandarin, or grapefruit)
- Fresh mint leaves
- Water
- Vodka
- A spray bottle
Steps:
Peel the citrus fruits and place the peels along with the mint leaves in a glass jar. Pour in about half a cup of vodka, seal the jar, and let it infuse for 2–3 days.
Strain the infusion into a spray bottle and dilute it with three parts water. For an extra boost, add 3–5 drops of essential oil. Shake well before each use.
A Word of Caution: As beautiful and appealing as homemade air fresheners can be, for people with severe fragrance allergies, these “scents” can still cause problems. If you or someone in your household is sensitive to strong smells, patch-test any new scent in a small amount first — or consult a doctor before using essential oils around your home.
image on top: Mindaugas Norvilas / Unsplash
