American researchers from Emory University (Georgia) conducted a series of studies on the effect of air fresheners on humans and came to the conclusion that modern air fresheners contribute to the development of diseases of the respiratory system even in completely healthy people, and cause frequent attacks of suffocation in allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Air fresheners have a particularly harmful effect on newborns and children 5-6 years old.
Air fresheners contain a whole bunch of chemical compounds that are harmful to your health. Petroleum distillates, benzene and formaldehyde, can not only cause asthma and allergies, but also disrupt the entire metabolism, including calcium absorption disorders (and bone density disorders) and even leukemia. At the same time, people often do not notice symptoms such as periodic or chronic runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion. People start taking cold medicine without even realizing that the “enemy” has crept up from a completely different direction.
Even air fresheners that contain one or two natural ingredients are no less dangerous, since the others included in their composition are phthalates, substances dangerous to the human body that accumulate in tissues and gradually lead to dysfunction of the reproductive system.
Even after purchasing a natural flavor, you need to take a closer look at its composition, because often the product simply has the smell of a plant, but the source of the smell is the same carcinogens, xenohormones and allergens.
If we could imagine that at one moment all chemical fragrances and air fresheners for the home would be banned, then the general level of health of the population of our planet would increase the very next day.
Of course, it is very unlikely that this will happen in the near future, but the more people refuse to use chemical air fresheners and use only natural substances in their household, the faster the harmful effects of these substances on the atmosphere and humanity as a whole will decrease.
Try to make your own air freshener, which really will not contain harmful chemicals, and the aroma from it will resemble the aromas of perfume . Such products will also be cheaper than their store-bought counterparts, since their cost will not include advertising costs, taxes, or sellers’ profits, because the manufacturer, seller and consumer are you.
Benefits of home air fresheners
Is there any point in “reinventing the wheel” when preparing a flavoring agent if you can easily buy it in a store? There are three defining points:
- The home remedy is completely natural and does not contain any chemicals. As for store-bought analogues, there is an opinion that some options, which contain dyes and fragrances, can cause asthma.
- Economical. The cost of the drug in the store is about 110 rubles. And to make homemade flavoring, you will need much less money.
- Fight for the environment and saving resources. The bottle or vial can be used repeatedly.
So, having made sure of the feasibility of production, let's get to work.
How to choose the right oil and other ingredients
Before you start making an air freshener, you need to think about the composition of the future flavor. If your choice falls on the use of essential oil, then you need to take into account the properties of this product. It is well known that each aroma oil has its own properties: some heal, others invigorate, others calm, others relieve stress, etc. To choose the right oil, study the following tables.
Table: Properties of essential oils
Essential oil | Impact on the body |
orange, tangerine, lemon, lavender, peppermint, fir | invigorating |
lemon balm, jasmine, geranium, rosewood, vanilla | soothing |
sandalwood, lemon balm, lavender, mimosa, chamomile, rose, cedar | relaxing |
bergamot, patchouli, lavender, jasmine, coriander, mimosa, geranium | anti-stress |
orange, sandalwood, cardamom, mandarin, rose, jasmine, patchouli | sensual |
nutmeg, lemon balm, rosemary, lemon, cedar, peppermint, lavender | strengthening |
orange, rose, sage, lemon, geranium, lavender, rose, nutmeg | cleansing |
Table: Compatibility of essential oils
Essential oil | Complementary aroma oil |
carnation | juniper |
lemon | ylang-ylang |
Melissa | ginger |
mint | ylang-ylang |
pine | myrtle |
oregano | orange |
geranium | eucalyptus |
fir | cinnamon |
cedar | grapefruit |
cypress | bergamot |
When making a car interior freshener, it is better to avoid relaxing and soothing aromas. If the driver is tired, then these aromas will only increase drowsiness and absent-mindedness, which can create dangerous situations. It is better to use invigorating notes. Relaxation is necessary before bed, so oils with this property are suitable for bedrooms. Bright citrus scents are suitable for use in the toilet and bathroom, but these notes are also quite appropriate in the living room.
When using any fragrances, you must remember that even natural odors can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, if after installing the fragrance you experience itching, watery eyes, sneezing, or a runny nose, you need to immediately remove the allergen.
Toilet scent based on aromatic oils
People most often use toilet fresheners. An unpleasant odor appears there, which can only be destroyed with a strong stream of aroma. To create a scented mixture, you will need an essential oil.
- A simple option with cotton wool. Drop some oils onto the cotton wool, put it in a small jar and leave it for a while on the radiator or in the sun in the summer. The resulting heat will cause the oil to heat up and give off an odor. After this, transfer the container with the cotton wool to the toilet. To prevent the aroma from depleting, periodically add fragrant oily liquid. Perfectly copes with the unpleasant smell of cedar, orange or pine oil.
- Automatic spray. To create it, take: a spray container, water and essential oil. A glass cleaning liquid container is perfect for this recipe. Pour ¾ of water into it and add 25 drops of oil. Shake well. If you make a home air freshener using this recipe, it will absorb the unpleasant odor and wonderfully freshen the room. Spray the room systematically and enjoy the fragrant freshness.
Car air fresheners
Since a car has long been transformed from a luxury item into a necessary means of transportation, you need to take care of a fragrance for the interior. Store-bought “smells” can hardly be called beneficial for the human body, and the synthetic smell sometimes hurts the nose so much that you want to leave the car and walk.
Learning how to make natural and healthy flavors is very simple. We offer several options.
Fragrant sachet
Place cotton wool in a small organza bag (you can buy it or sew it yourself), and then add 5-10 drops of essential oil inside. You can do more, but do not forget that the area of a car’s interior is much smaller than the area of a living space, and the smell of pure essential oils is quite concentrated. This sachet will delight you with a wonderful aroma for a week. When the smell becomes less noticeable, you will need to add a few drops of oil again.
Instead of cotton wool and oil, you can use coffee beans, aromatic herbs, leaves and petals. The bag can be made of any fabric that allows air to pass through well.
This sachet can be hung on the mirror or thrown under the seat.
Coffee beans will absorb all unwanted odors
Gel fragrance for car
If you want the flavor to be “visible”, then you will have to take care of a beautiful jar. If you still have a container from an old air freshener, wash it and feel free to use it.
You can see the recipe for making a gel freshener above. The only thing is that you need fewer ingredients. For example, it will be enough to prepare a “scent” from 50 ml of water, 10 g of gelatin, 1 teaspoon of glycerin and 5-10 drops of essential oil.
You can also use a container from an old hanging liquid fragrance and pour essential oil into it.
Hanging auto-fragrancer made of fabric
Another option for a hanging fragrance. You will need:
- favorite essential oil or aromatic composition;
- a piece of felt, felt or thick coat fabric;
- cardboard for making a stencil;
- pen or felt-tip pen;
- cord or tape;
- scissors.
Armed with everything you need, get down to business.
- On cardboard, draw any object you like: a leaf, a flower, a Christmas tree, a heart - whatever.
- Cut out the design with scissors.
- Attach the design to the fabric and trace with a pen.
- Of course, if you are a good artist, you can draw directly on the fabric.
- Cut out the design from the fabric.
It turned out to be a pretty nice Christmas tree for the future flavor
- Make a hole in the top using scissors or a sharp object.
- Thread a ribbon or cord through the hole.
- Apply 10-15 drops of oil to the fabric.
- Hang it on the mirror and enjoy your favorite scent.
Felt “Christmas tree” will fill the car interior with a delicate aroma
It will be a pleasure to be in such a salon; besides, essential oils benefit the body.
Video: how to make a car fragrance from fabric and in sachet form
Concentrated composition
It’s quite easy to make your own toilet freshener, which would be as concentrated as a store-bought one and would be no worse in its effect. Vinegar comes to the rescue in difficult cases. Prepare this way: a glass of water + ½ glass of vinegar + 5 drops of aromatic oils. Combine everything and place in a container with a spray bottle.
Vinegar will completely destroy all unnecessary odors, and essential oil will refresh the space.
Essential oils
Probably the most popular homemade air fresheners are those based on essential oils. This can be explained by the fact that natural flavors can have a beneficial effect on the human body, relieve fatigue and improve mood. In addition, they have a pleasant aroma.
You can choose the most suitable essential oil for your homemade freshener. Most often used:
- Orange oil. Known for its rich, invigorating aroma. It is used to improve performance and combat depression. You can use orange oil to eliminate the autumn blues.
- Rosemary oil. It has a specific smell, combining sweet and spicy notes. Some people find the scent too strong, but rosemary oil helps increase alertness. Therefore, it is often used as a car freshener.
- Oil of coniferous trees (pine, cedar, spruce, fir and others). The use of such oils creates an atmosphere of comfort and celebration in the home. In addition, pine oils have disinfectant properties and can purify the air.
- Jasmine oil. Great for those who don't like strong, overpowering scents. Jasmine oil has a subtle aroma that will help you calm down and forget about worries.
Natural essential oils not only mask odors, but also cleanse the air of bacteria and foreign odors. Homemade oil freshener can be made in several ways.
Jar
The easiest way to make a home air freshener is to pour essential oils into a jar.
Algorithm of actions:
- take a glass jar with a screw cap;
- then you can paint the lid in your favorite color and make holes in it using an awl;
- The jar should be filled a quarter full with baking soda;
- then add about 15 drops of essential oil and screw on the lid.
If you don’t have a suitable lid at hand, you can make a hole in a piece of paper or foil, cover the jar with it and secure the structure with an elastic band.
Diffuser
An air freshener for your home can be made in the form of a diffuser. For this you will need:
- Select a glass container. You can take a small jar or vase.
- Pour 150 ml of baby oil inside.
- Add 15-20 ml of medical alcohol. If there is no alcohol, you can add regular vodka. This will help lock in the flavor of the oil.
- Then you need to choose the appropriate essential oil. You can experiment by mixing several oils in a separate container to create a unique aroma. Then add about 15 drops of the selected essential oil to the solution.
- Next, wooden sticks, purchased or made independently, are inserted into a glass container with the resulting solution.
Wooden sticks will be saturated with aromatic liquid and will emit a pleasant, unobtrusive aroma in the room.
You can use the diffuser for 3-4 weeks or longer.
Spray
The most convenient form of homemade air freshener is a spray bottle.
Preparation method:
- find a spray bottle or a bottle of cosmetics with a spray;
- fill the container with boiled or distilled water;
- add 10-20 drops of essential oils depending on the desired intensity of the aroma.
Shake the sprayer before each use.
You can make several of these fresheners with different essential oils. Then you can use the most suitable scent for each room.
Gel fragrances for the bathroom
This is the best recipe for preparing a home air freshener. This is what many housewives approved as effect + availability = cleanliness. To try to make this product, you will need to purchase gelatin.
- Dissolve a packet of gelatin in a glass of water. Stir well so that there are no lumps left in the liquid.
- A teaspoon of glycerin must be added to the resulting substance. It will help the aromatic substance not to dry out for a long time.
- Pour a couple of drops of lavender or pine extract into the same container.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon on the tip there.
- To make the jelly beautiful, mix in a little brightly colored dye.
- Transfer the resulting beautiful mass into an open jar and place it on a shelf in the bathroom.
Essential oil freshener
The aroma sticks can be soaked with your favorite scent.
A natural freshener based on baby oil will create an unobtrusive aroma in the room for a long time. To prepare an oil freshener you will need:
- decorative wooden sticks: you can make your own if desired;
- glass container: a transparent vase with a wide neck is suitable;
- any essential oil: you can combine several scents to create your own mood in the home;
- medical alcohol for the base: can be replaced with regular vodka;
- baby oil: suitable from any manufacturer You can add simple hygiene products to your home air freshener.
Recipe. 150 ml of oil is poured into a glass container where wooden decorative sticks will be located (the amount of oil required to prepare the freshener depends on the size of the container), 10-20 ml of alcohol are added to fix the aroma and 15 drops of aromatic oil. Sticks placed in a reservoir are soaked in the composition and emit a subtle aroma of oil. The service life of this composition is more than 3 weeks.
Scented toilet cistern disinfectant
An alternative option is to prepare aromatic additives that are placed in the tank. The cooking instructions are extremely simple.
- Take two bowls.
- In one of the bowls, steam 15 g of gelatin.
- In the second, mix 1 table. a spoonful of salt, a few drops of fragrant ether and half a glass of vinegar. Color the mixture with any dye you like.
- Mix both mixtures.
- Take ice molds, put the substance there and leave it in the freezer.
- After a couple of hours, take out the cubes and systematically place a couple at a time in the toilet tank.
- Every time the water is flushed, the automatic tank aroma disinfects the liquid and destroys bacteria.
Types of car flavors
Types of perfume for cars:
- Liquid. The principle of operation is that the aromatization of the space occurs due to the evaporation of liquid. Service life – up to 4 months.
- From cardboard. In production, a material with absorption properties is used. The spread of odor occurs due to the impregnation of the cardboard plate. Validity period – up to 1 month.
- Gel. The filler evaporates and spreads the smell. Service life – from 2 to 4 months.
- Chalky. Duration – validity up to 11 months. The base is chalk ceramic filler.
- Aerosol. The principle of operation is spraying a liquid with a fragrance. The can lasts up to 1 month.
- Plastic. The body of the accessory is impregnated with a perfumed composition. Service life – 2 months.
- Hydrogel. The spread of odor occurs due to the evaporation of the filler. Validity period – up to 3 months.
- Ceramic. The body material is fired ceramic impregnated with a perfumed composition. Service life – up to 7 months
- Foamy. The composition is applied to the drainage pipe, after which a film forms on the evaporator. Validity period: up to 7 months.
- Purse string. Fabric bag with scented filling. Validity period – 4 months.
There are different types of car air fresheners.
Air fresheners are classified not only by type, but also by location: for fixation on the deflector, dashboard, viewing mirror, sun visor. Some accessories need to be placed under the seat.
Vinegar and baby soap product
By making this toilet freshener at home, you can successfully use it as a filler for a removable toilet block.
Required components:
- a pack of soap;
- a little vinegar;
- a couple of spoons of soda;
- favorite flavor;
- table. l glycerin;
- water.
It's easy to make a scent.
- Grate a pack of soap using a grater with small holes.
- Add soda, glycerin and a little vinegar to the soap.
- You will observe the progress of a chemical reaction, because the soda will begin to hiss and rise.
- Pour in the flavoring and dilute the resulting product with water to form a thick mass.
- Stir and pour into the empty block. After this, hang the product on the toilet rim.
Interesting! The advantage of this recipe is the fact that the soap will not get wet, but will be consumed slowly. The toilet will shine clean without any chemicals, but only from the effects of soda, vinegar and baby soap.
Good housewives - for natural home fresheners
Nowadays, you can buy a ready-made air freshener in any large store. And such a thing is used not only in the toilet, but also in any other room.
However, you should not once again use sprays to add aroma to your living space. And you definitely shouldn’t use such air fresheners if there are children or pets nearby.
Or the air fresheners that you make yourself. The first and main advantage of such an item is safety. You are responsible for selecting the ingredients for the composition, so you will definitely not allow substances that cause allergies.
Video: Home fragrances, we make it ourselves
In addition, this air freshener is environmentally friendly.
Its smell is not as sharp and intrusive as store-bought ones, which means that you won’t get tired of it after a while. Making a flavor is not at all expensive: you can literally make it from available materials.
Thus, we can highlight the main advantages:
- Safety.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Unobtrusive aroma.
- Inexpensive production.
Video: Do-it-yourself natural air fresheners for your home!
So, let's give the house some fragrance!
Baking soda scent
- Combine citric acid and soda in a 3/1 ratio.
- Add 30 drops of several types of aromatic oils to the mixture.
- The combination of mint, lavender and lemon is wonderful.
- If the composition turns out to be dry, add a little water to it.
- Pour water in small doses to prevent the onset of a reaction between the baking soda and citric acid.
- Bring the substance to the state of clay so that it sculpts well.
- Roll into small balls and leave to dry.
The very next day you will be able to use the odorous balls as a complete air freshener. Such “bombs” can be thrown either directly into the toilet or into the tank, draining the water after 3 minutes.
Space for creativity
The variety of ways to make your own air fresheners for the car, for the toilet, for the kitchen, and for the whole house is simply amazing. This takes very little time and money. You can make your own gel air fresheners in a wide variety of colors. Think about the design to suit your interior or one that will complement and can even decorate a room such as a toilet.
We have a fairly large selection of ready-made air fresheners. But the advantage of things made with your own hands is undoubtedly. You can control the intensity of the aroma, choose a scent that is pleasant to you, and protect your family from harmful substances and allergic reactions. After all, nature gives us all the best!
Toothpaste preparation
Instead of advertised and not always effective store-bought products, use a toilet freshener made from regular paste.
- Feel free to choose the cheapest toothpaste with a strong mint flavor.
- To saturate your toilet room with mint amber, pierce a new tube with a needle on all sides and place it in the drain tank.
- Water evenly flows into the holes on the package, and until the paste runs out, a pleasant mint aroma will always remain in the room.
Purpose of homemade flavors
When creating an air freshener, it is important to consider the place where it will be used. This could be any room in the house or a specific place. For example, a refrigerator requires constant treatment to remove unpleasant odors. In addition to cleanliness, it is important to have incense in the toilet, which will help neutralize the smell and at the same time disinfect the toilet. Fragrances are also used in car interiors.
To disinfect the toilet, you can make your own dry products with the addition of a refreshing aroma
Citrus freshness
Bright and juicy lemons and oranges contain antifungal and antimicrobial properties. They perfectly refresh and kill germs in the toilet. A product for creating a pleasant atmosphere in the restroom is prepared according to this recipe. Take:
- lemon;
- vodka;
- water;
- orange.
The manufacturing process consists of the following steps.
- Cut the peel off the citrus fruits in a thick layer and place the peelings in a jar of vodka.
- Let the crusts sit for several days.
- Dilute the resulting mixture by half with water, then pour it into a container with a spray bottle.
- If desired, add any citrus concentrate into the bottle to enhance the aroma.
- Spray this aerosol fragrance in the bathroom or toilet. On average, a bottle lasts for a month.
If possible, it is better to make your own air freshener. In this case, it is possible to choose your favorite scent and adjust its intensity. Home air fresheners are suitable for use in any room without exception, as they are environmentally friendly and safe.
Why is it necessary to create air fresheners with your own hands?
Anyone who cares even a little about the health of their loved ones has a question: “How do all these fresheners and “smells” affect the human body?” After all, you want to not only surround yourself with pleasant smells, but also be confident in their safety. This is especially true for young children and allergy sufferers.
The fact is that purchased fragrances and air fresheners contain petroleum products, which are carcinogens and pose a danger to our body and the health of pets. Aerosols pose the most danger - many of them not only contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer, but can also cause various diseases of the lungs, bronchi and other organs. Being in a room in which such a “freshener” has been sprayed is the same as being in a slow-acting gas chamber.
Therefore, the most correct option would be to make fresheners and flavors with your own hands from harmless and even healthy ingredients. There are many options, and even a child can prepare them.
This is how natural homemade air fresheners can look “tasty”
Aromatherapy for home
The smell of fresh baked goods and mown meadow grass, as psychologists note, has a positive effect on the state of the psyche. The temptation is to fill the house with unusual strong aromas of ripe cherries and sugar gingerbread, the freshness of the sea wave. They encourage you to buy long-lasting air fresheners that consist of synthetic compounds.
The brain does not immediately recognize a fake. It begins to seem that without a fragrant bottle, the walls of your home are losing their coziness. Bottle after bottle is sprayed as needed or without it.
What happens when fragrant esters become airborne? Molecules interact with it. By inhaling substances through the skin cells into the human body, he is able to accumulate them. The effect can be either a tonic or a depressant for the nervous system.
Natural essential oils are no exception. The strong smell of mint or cinnamon can cause mental overstimulation. Daily lavender scents can cause dizziness and sleep problems. Everything is good in moderation.
Make several DIY air fresheners from essential oils, each for a specific purpose. Avoid the negative consequences of oversaturation of air with odorous components.