Your “Sweet Smelling” Home

My colleagues at work were talking about air fresheners. I wondered to myself, “What synthetic chemicals do they put in those things?” Searching the internet brought up a lot of negative information about commercial air “fresheners”.

I would agree that few things are more pleasant than coming home and walking into a beautifully scented home. However, it seems that most commercial air-fresheners, including the plug-ins, are derived from hazardous chemicals. 95% of the chemicals in synthetic fragrances are derived from toxic petrochemicals. Of the 3,000 plus chemicals used in commercial air-fresheners, almost all are linked to birth defects, abnormal hormonal levels, allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

Blending your own sprays from essential oils not only scents the home with a wonderful fragrance, those made with botanical oils also contain germ and bacteria fighting power as well.

Most of the blends listed in the recipes below contain mild antibacterial and antiviral properties.

You’ll need several four-ounce spray bottles if you wish to make more than one blend. To make each blend, add water and essential oils given for each recipe to the spray bottle. Shake well to blend. Label and date the bottle and use within one year.

This blend is perfect for the kitchen where cooking odors can linger over the weekend:

1/2 cup distilled water
6 drops cinnamon essential oil
6 drops sweet orange essential oil
6 drops rosemary essential oil

This blend below is perfect for the bedroom or the bathroom with a scent that lingers for weeks:

1/2 cup distilled water
3 drops geranium essential oil
4 drops lemon essential oil
4 drops sweet orange essential oil
5 drops patchouli essential oil

This blend has a calming affect and would be great for those who must sleep during the day. Use it in the living room or den, or any room used for meditation:

8 drops of lavender essential oil
4 drops sweet orange essential oil
4 drops bergamot essential oil

Lightly spritz the air before napping or turning in for a restful sleep.

To deodorize your home, lightly mist the air in the morning or late in the afternoon. Avoid spraying into eyes, nose or mouth. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use the blends on wood or metal surfaces. These blends can also be used to freshen the car or storage lockers.

Take care,

~ Azul