A household name for many years, Febreze earned its reputation due to its odor-removing capabilities in the form of a simple spray. It has been used in various countries around the world and is not limited to just clothes – it can also work on upholstery, carpets, and the like.
However, if you do want to help the environment, you can make an alternative Febreze at home. While we do care about having odor-free curtains, clothing, and the like, we should also care about the harsh chemicals that it could leak out into the air and in the rivers.
So, without further ado, here’s an article that will help you make your own homemade DIY Febreze, especially if you want only natural ingredients that are easy to find.
See also:
Contents
Homemade Febreze With Essential Oils
Essential oils are usually a common stay in DIY home recipes for cleaning surfaces. These essential oils can be found in the market and online – they’re great for spreading a natural smell for your home. Here’s how you can make your own Febreze at home with essential oils.
Natural Febreze with Essential Oils
This is a simple recipe that will use most ingredients that you can easily find at home. If you’re new to DIY home recipes, this is a great starter for you.
What you’ll need:
- 10 drops of any essential oil
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 16 oz spray bottle
- 2 cups distilled water
- bowl or container
- fork
- funnel
Directions:
- Add the baking soda into the bowl and pour the essential oils afterward.
- Mix the baking soda and oil using a fork.
- Transfer the mixture into your spray bottle using a funnel to create fewer messes.
- Add the distilled water into the mix.
- Shake the spray bottle.
- Start using the mixture in the spray bottle to your desired areas.
Vodka Essential Oil Febreze
This recipe works best for people with pets and if you have someone in the house who’s allergic to fabric softeners. If you have vodka around the house, this is a recipe that you can do. As this is vodka-based, you should only use it within 3 weeks. After all, it is homemade and doesn’t contain preservatives.
What you’ll need:
- 2 tbsp vodka
- any essential oil of your choice
- distilled water
Directions:
- Mix the two ingredients in your spray bottle.
- Add distilled water to the spray bottle.
- Give the bottle a little shake.
- Start spraying on your desired area.
Homemade Febreze Without Fabric Softener
Many people are allergic to scents that are emitted by fabric softeners, which becomes an inconvenience to them. If you prefer Febreze that doesn’t use any fabric softener, here’s a good recipe for you.
Homemade Non-Toxic Febreze Recipe
This recipe makes use of essential oils and other household items depending on what’s available. Do know that some essential oils are not safe for pets so you should ask your local vet first, just to make sure, if you have pets at home.
What you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cup distilled water
- 20 to 30 drops of essential oil (tea tree, lavender, orange, lemon, etc.)
- 1/2 to 1 cup witch hazel (unscented), white vinegar, or vodka
- spray bottle (preferably colored to preserve the essential oils)
- 1 to 2 tbsp baking soda
- Pyrex cup or any container with a spout
Directions:
- Combine water and baking soda.
- Add the other ingredients into the mix.
- Transfer the mixture into the glass spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle to even out the ingredients.
- Spray onto your desired area.
- Store in a cool and dark place after use (e.g. refrigerator).
Natural Febreze Alternative
If you are looking for a natural Febreze alternative, Fresh Wave is a great candidate for that. This odor-removing formula that’s a natural alternative to Febreze can be used for the following:
- carpets
- furniture
- trash cans
- shoes
- pet rooms and bedding
- clothes
Ingredients in Fresh Wave
As an alternative to Febreze, Fresh Wave only contains natural and eco-friendly ingredients. Here’s a list of their natural ingredients to get you motivated in trying out their product:
Lavender
This ingredient is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Most home cleaners that are made through a DIY process use lavender essential oils.
Lime
Aside from the citrus scent, lime is known for having antiseptic properties. This means it will prevent microorganisms, such as germs and bacteria, from growing on surfaces, thoroughly sterilizing it.
Cedarwood
If you are looking for a way to keep flies and other insects away from your clothes, curtains, or other areas of the house, cedarwood is a natural option. Fresh Wave includes cedarwood in their long list of natural ingredients so it’s sure to keep the pesky pests away.
Pine
When it comes to natural ingredients, pine not only gives a neutral and fresh scent but also provides anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, pine has been used as a cleaning ingredient for non-porous surfaces, such as your kitchen or bathroom sink, or toilet.
Clove
As a known antioxidant, clove is also an antibacterial and antifungal natural ingredient included in this product. It has been used as a scent enhancer in most homemade cleaners and soaps. Clove can be combined with other essential oils or ingredients, such as lavender, sweet orange, lemon, and other citrus scents.
Anise
Anise has been used in homeopathic remedies in the past and until now. Anise is also known to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties so it will help eliminate both bad smells and microorganisms on a surface.
Moreover, anise has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for a long time, so it’s more than just a kitchen spice. Likewise, anise has also been tested as an anesthetic and antioxidant for humans.
Purified water
Of course, we can’t leave behind water since it is the catalyst for all the natural ingredients to be blended very well. The reverse osmosis method has been used to purify this water to prevent any possible microorganism growth and/or contamination.
The Foraged Life is a space for sharing stories. From bits made from homegrowns or hand foraged from nature to places to explore and adventure near and far. From stories from the wild to encounters with people and the earth that point to a way of doing life that is conscious of treading lightly and lovingly.
