Imagine this: you enter your home or apartment and immediately take in an organic whiff of your favorite scent, nothing synthetic, nothing too concentrated, and nothing that they got it from as it kicks in for you. Unfortunately, most air fresheners and sprays continuously bombard our air and living spaces with nothing but the synthetic fragrances made with VOCs (volatile organic compounds), toxic chemicals, and plastic waste for something that you use for a matter of minutes. 

Not to mention, you are likely paying $3-$5 every month, but no need to think too much about that charge. Imagine removing the expense, cutting the contribution of plastic waste, and knowing exactly what you are inhaling. Here’s how you can prepare a super simple, effective, natural air freshener at home that is prepared in a couple of minutes and clean your home at a low cost. 

Major Benefits Of Making Your Own Air Freshener

By making your own air freshener at home, you will also reap a multitude of benefits:

• Cheap: Each batch costs a handful of cents. An 8 ounce store-bought spray runs, on average, $4. A homemade batch costs under 50 cents – that’s a significant difference where you can now spend the money elsewhere.
• Non-Toxic: No VOCs, no phthalates, and no chemical surprises, just baking soda, water and essential oils. Baking soda neutralizes odors at the molecular level and essential oils provide a fresh, long-last scent that has no irritants. Both are natural. 
• Customizable: You can choose the scents by season, mood or room. Want a winter pine-and-clove mix or a summer fresh lemongrass-and-mint blend? Have fun mixing & matching oils to create your own scent because it is customized.
• Eco-friendly: With reusable containers and absolutely no single-use plastics, there’s no other waste going to a landfill. You only need one glass or plastic bottle that will become your durable container forever. Refill, don’t dispose. 
• Safe for children and pets: This homemade formula is gentle enough for most households, but there are safety precautions for essential oils noted below to keep your household safe (kids, pets, & guests).

Are you excited to see how easy this will be?  Read ahead for the core three-ingredient recipe and professional tips.

How to Make Your Own Air Freshener at Home?

Are you ready to change up the smell of your living space in a matter of minutes and without much effort at all? This is an easy step-by-step method to create a natural air freshener at home with about 3 common kitchen pantry items. Gather what you need, follow the steps below and you’ll be able to enjoy a unique, personal, chemical-free scent that is just as unique as your home soon. 

Ingredients

• Water: Distilled is ideal for shelf life; tap water is fine too.
• Baking Soda: The odor-removing king.
• Essential Oils: Lavender and lemon work really well together. 

Equipment

• Clean spray bottle (glass preferred (citrus oils can degrade plastics), or a sturdy plastic bottle to fill up occasionally). 
• Measuring spoons & cup
• Funnel (optional)

Recipe (for one 8 oz/1 cup batch)

• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 8 – 12 drops essential oil (ideal 10 drops)

Step by Step Instructions

• Warm water first: Load the spray bottle with warm (not boiling) water (this will help dissolve the baking soda).
• Add baking soda: Measure and pour baking soda (1 tablespoon).
• Shake to combine: Tighten the cap and shake vigorously until most of the baking soda is dissolved (a little grit is okay).
• Add essential oil(s): Drop in 8 – 12 drops total.
• Final shake: Shake well for the final blend.
• Label your bottle: Own the scent and date to avoid any confusion.

Important Safety Notes

Proper handling will ensure that your homemade air freshener is both safe and effective, even with no unnatural ingredients. Take these further considerations before you spritz: 

1. Do Not Get Them In Your Eyes or On Your Skin

Even if they are diluted, essential oils are still active so if you accidentally touch your essential oils it may result in irritant skin or eye irritation. Here’s how you can protect yourself: 

• Always spray air freshener in a way that is away from your face and body.
• Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
• If you touch your essential oil air freshener, wash it off with warm soap and water. If you touched your eye accidentally, flush your eyes for at least fifteen minutes and consult a physician if your eye is still irritated.

2. Keep Away from Pets & Children

Ingestion or rubbing oils directly on sensitive skin may cause vomit, diarrhea, or respiratory issues for small children and animals (especially felines). Here’s how you can protect yourself:

• Store your spray and oils on a high shelf, or below down low that can be locked.  
• Use child-proof lids when possible. 
• After you spray your concentrated air freshener, air out room and keep people/pets in separate rooms until the mist settle. 

3. Health Considerations & Contraindications

If you’re pregnant or lactating, do not use oils like rosemary, basil, and clary sage (in essential oil form) without medical clearance. If you have asthma, strong scents can trigger it; use milder oils (for example, chamomile), and conduct the test in a room with good ventilation.

4. Patch & Surface Testing

Combine a drop of your completed spray with an equal amount of carrier oil and apply to a small patch of skin. Wait for 24 hours, if the patch looks like it has redness, swelling, or itches, you need to dilute more or use a different oil.

Problems You Could Face and Their Solutions

There are always quirks with a DIY project, and homemade air fresheners are no different. Here are some of the more common issues you will encounter and easy solutions to keep your home fresh.

Problem	Solution
Baking soda settles or jams sprayer	Shake vigorously between each use, start with warm water, switch to a fine-mist nozzle.
Scent too weak	Add 2–3 more drops of oil; use fresh, 100% pure oils.
Scent fades quickly	Make smaller batches more often; store in a cool, dark place; use distilled water.
Bottle buildup	Make sure to thoroughly wash and dry the bottle between each batch.

Conclusion

Can you believe that three easy to source ingredients can make your home smelling fresh and natural? It’s true!  This DIY air freshener at home not only saves you money and keeps single use plastics out of the landfill but it can create a healthier, happier space, one spritz at a time. Isn’t it awesome? Try it for yourself today! And enjoy your own variety of freshness. Post your recipes and tips in the comments below and share your favorite scent combination.