People spend a lot of their time inside. If you use air fresheners, candles, potpourri, and products with harsh chemicals for cleaning, laundering, freshening, and painting, the air in your home is polluted. It can cause various health issues such as skin rash, allergy, asthma, headache, migraines, heart disease, coughing, dizziness, cancer, and other illnesses.
If you are still using air fresheners at home, replace them with DIY natural fresheners as soon as possible! Do you curious why? Because the harmful chemicals emitted from air fresheners, even at a low amount, can cause health problems. The toxins ingredients may include ethanol, phthalates, formaldehyde, dichlorobenzene, phenol, and artificial chemical fragrances.
In October 2021, CDC recalled ‘Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray’ because it contained Burkholderia bacteria that caused a melioidosis infection in humans. Four people were infected, and two of them died.
Replace toxins in your home with 100% natural plant- and mineral-based ingredients! Homemade air fresheners with essential oil can give you a pleasant aroma and also transform the way you manage your health. It is easy to make them yourself.
If you are new to essential oil, begin with lavender first. This oil is one of the most widely used for different purposes. The lavender oil has powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumoral, anticoagulant, sedative, calming, analgesic, and anti-depressive properties.
The lavender essential oil can be used as a non-toxic air freshener, natural perfumes, insect repellent, fabric freshener, and deodorizer. Besides oil, you need other ingredients to make fresheners.
In October 2021, CDC recalled ‘Better Homes and Gardens Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray’ because it contained Burkholderia bacteria that caused a melioidosis infection in humans. Four people were infected, and two of them died.
Replace toxins in your home with 100% natural plant- and mineral-based ingredients! Homemade air fresheners with essential oil can give you a pleasant aroma and also transform the way you manage your health. It is easy to make them yourself.
If you are new to essential oil, begin with lavender first. This oil is one of the most widely used for different purposes. The lavender oil has powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumoral, anticoagulant, sedative, calming, analgesic, and anti-depressive properties.
The lavender essential oil can be used as a non-toxic air freshener, natural perfumes, insect repellent, fabric freshener, and deodorizer. Besides oil, you need other ingredients to make fresheners.
What are basic ingredients for DIY freshener?
Ingredients may include:
Essential oils
Essential oils are aromatic volatile liquids distilled from flowers, trees, roots, shrubs, and seeds. Oils have proven antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. They provide natural fragrance and aromatherapy benefits. I would recommend using the high-quality essential oils from reputable companies such as Young Living.
Lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, pine, rosemary, peppermint, spearmint, tea tree, cedarwood, and clove are some of the most powerful essential oils for air purification.
Essential oils
Essential oils are aromatic volatile liquids distilled from flowers, trees, roots, shrubs, and seeds. Oils have proven antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. They provide natural fragrance and aromatherapy benefits. I would recommend using the high-quality essential oils from reputable companies such as Young Living.
Lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, pine, rosemary, peppermint, spearmint, tea tree, cedarwood, and clove are some of the most powerful essential oils for air purification.
Water
It is preferred to use distilled, purified, or boiled and then cooled tap water.
Alcohol
Essential oil doesn’t mix with water. Alcohol helps dilute and blend essential oils into the water. There are the best options for DIY fresheners. Vodka helps the scent molecules to spread in the air. It also works as a preservative preventing the growth of mould and microorganisms.
Witch hazel dilutes essential oils in the water and helps the scent stay longer.
It is preferred to use distilled, purified, or boiled and then cooled tap water.
Alcohol
Essential oil doesn’t mix with water. Alcohol helps dilute and blend essential oils into the water. There are the best options for DIY fresheners. Vodka helps the scent molecules to spread in the air. It also works as a preservative preventing the growth of mould and microorganisms.
Witch hazel dilutes essential oils in the water and helps the scent stay longer.
Ways to purify the indoor air at your home with essential oil
Are you ready to rid of chemicals and make little steps toward a healthier home? Use the following mixtures to deodorize, freshen, and disinfect the air at any place in your home.
It is important to mention, that all essential oils are heavily concentrated plant extract. Begin gradually with fewer drops that are in provided receipts until you reach the strength of aroma that is pleasant for you.
There is also a perfect way to experiment with different single oil or oil blends for pleased and unique aroma at your home.
There are simple recipes for beginners. They are safe for humans and the environment.
It is important to mention, that all essential oils are heavily concentrated plant extract. Begin gradually with fewer drops that are in provided receipts until you reach the strength of aroma that is pleasant for you.
There is also a perfect way to experiment with different single oil or oil blends for pleased and unique aroma at your home.
There are simple recipes for beginners. They are safe for humans and the environment.
Diffuser
A diffuser can purify the atmosphere of any indoor area. As per manufacturer instruction, add a few drops of lavender essential oils to the water in the difuser.
A diffuser can purify the atmosphere of any indoor area. As per manufacturer instruction, add a few drops of lavender essential oils to the water in the difuser.
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Refreshing spray
You will need a spray bottle, water, and essential oil.
The freshener spray can be made without alcohol as well. |
Tips 1. To maximize the shelf life of the air freshener spray, keep the lid tightly and store bottles away from sunlight. 2. Shake the freshener spray well before each use. |
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Air deodorant
This mixture works well as a fridge deodorant. |
Tips Oxygen in the air may react with and oxidize the essential oil over time. Add extra drops of oil after a week to the air deodorant if needed or make a new one. |
Potpourri
Be creative in making your potpourri. Mix desired dry ingredients such as wood chips, leaves, flower petals, orange or lemon peels, pine cones, pine needles, cinnamon sticks, etc. Place them into a container. Add a few drops of essential oil to the potpourri mix. Seal the container with a lid and leave it for a few days. Let dry ingredients soak the essential oil to strengthen the aroma. Place your potpourri in a beautifully decorated box or plate. Enjoy the wonderful smell at your home.
Start making some changes towards a healthier home and healthy you!
Be creative in making your potpourri. Mix desired dry ingredients such as wood chips, leaves, flower petals, orange or lemon peels, pine cones, pine needles, cinnamon sticks, etc. Place them into a container. Add a few drops of essential oil to the potpourri mix. Seal the container with a lid and leave it for a few days. Let dry ingredients soak the essential oil to strengthen the aroma. Place your potpourri in a beautifully decorated box or plate. Enjoy the wonderful smell at your home.
Start making some changes towards a healthier home and healthy you!
References
1. Gabriela da Silva, Carolina Luft, Adroaldo Lunardelli, Robson H Amaral, Denizar A da Silva Melo, Márcio V F Donadio, Fernanda B Nunes, Marcos S de Azambuja, João C Santana, Cristina M B Moraes, Ricardo O Mello, Eduardo Cassel, Marcos Aurélio de Almeida Pereira, Jarbas R de Oliveira. "Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil". Scielo Brazil. Aug. 2015
2. Tariq, S., Wani, S., Rasool, W., Shafi, K., Bhat, M.A., Prabhakar, A., Shalla, A.H., Rather, M.A. "A comprehensive review of the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents against drug-resistant microbial pathogens" Department of Chemistry, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Microbial Pathogenesis journal, volume 134, Sep 2019.
3. Doha H. Abou Baker a,* , Ryszard Amarowicz b , Ahmed Kandeil c , Mohamed A. Ali c , Eman A. Ibrahim. "Antiviral activity of Lavandula angustifolia L. and Salvia officinalis L. essential oils against avian influenza H5N1 virus". Journal of Agriculture and Food Research., 2021
4. Abdul Rouf Wani a , Kanchan Yadav a , Aadil Khursheed b , Manzoor Ahmad Rather "An updated and comprehensive review of the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents with special focus on their mechanism of action against various influenza and coronaviruses " Microbial Pathogenesis Journal. 2021
5. A..ElHamdaouia, F.Msandaa, H.Boubakerb, D.Leachc, I, Bombardad, P.Vanlootd, N.El Aouadae, A.Abbadf, E.H.Boudyachb, F.Achemchemg, A.Elmoslihbg, A.Ait Ben Aoumarb, A.El Mousadika " Essential Oil composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of wild and cultivated Lavandula mairei Humbert". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. Volume 76, Feb. 2018
6. Hyun Yang 1, Tae-Hyoung Koo, Chang-Young Hong, In-Gyu Choi, Eui-Bae Jeung. "Analysis of the effects of essential oils on airborne bacteria in a customized bio-clean room". Spandidos Pablications, Jun. 2012
7. A.Alexopoulosa, A.C.Kimbarisb, S.Plessasa, I.Mantzourania, I.Theodoridoua, E.Stavropoulouc, M.G.Polissioud, E.Bezirtzoglouae. "Antibacterial activities of essential oils from eight Greek aromatic plants against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus". Anaerobe Journal, Volume 17, Issue 6, Dec. 2011.
8. Alicia Lanzerstorfer, Melanie Hackl, Matthias Schlömer, Brigitte Rest, Evelyn Deutsch-Grasl, Christof Lanzerstorfer. "The influence of air-dispersed essential oils from lemon (Citrus limon) and silver fir (Abies alba) on airborne bacteria and fungi in hospital rooms". Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, Feb. 2019.
1. Gabriela da Silva, Carolina Luft, Adroaldo Lunardelli, Robson H Amaral, Denizar A da Silva Melo, Márcio V F Donadio, Fernanda B Nunes, Marcos S de Azambuja, João C Santana, Cristina M B Moraes, Ricardo O Mello, Eduardo Cassel, Marcos Aurélio de Almeida Pereira, Jarbas R de Oliveira. "Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil". Scielo Brazil. Aug. 2015
2. Tariq, S., Wani, S., Rasool, W., Shafi, K., Bhat, M.A., Prabhakar, A., Shalla, A.H., Rather, M.A. "A comprehensive review of the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents against drug-resistant microbial pathogens" Department of Chemistry, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Microbial Pathogenesis journal, volume 134, Sep 2019.
3. Doha H. Abou Baker a,* , Ryszard Amarowicz b , Ahmed Kandeil c , Mohamed A. Ali c , Eman A. Ibrahim. "Antiviral activity of Lavandula angustifolia L. and Salvia officinalis L. essential oils against avian influenza H5N1 virus". Journal of Agriculture and Food Research., 2021
4. Abdul Rouf Wani a , Kanchan Yadav a , Aadil Khursheed b , Manzoor Ahmad Rather "An updated and comprehensive review of the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents with special focus on their mechanism of action against various influenza and coronaviruses " Microbial Pathogenesis Journal. 2021
5. A..ElHamdaouia, F.Msandaa, H.Boubakerb, D.Leachc, I, Bombardad, P.Vanlootd, N.El Aouadae, A.Abbadf, E.H.Boudyachb, F.Achemchemg, A.Elmoslihbg, A.Ait Ben Aoumarb, A.El Mousadika " Essential Oil composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of wild and cultivated Lavandula mairei Humbert". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. Volume 76, Feb. 2018
6. Hyun Yang 1, Tae-Hyoung Koo, Chang-Young Hong, In-Gyu Choi, Eui-Bae Jeung. "Analysis of the effects of essential oils on airborne bacteria in a customized bio-clean room". Spandidos Pablications, Jun. 2012
7. A.Alexopoulosa, A.C.Kimbarisb, S.Plessasa, I.Mantzourania, I.Theodoridoua, E.Stavropoulouc, M.G.Polissioud, E.Bezirtzoglouae. "Antibacterial activities of essential oils from eight Greek aromatic plants against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus". Anaerobe Journal, Volume 17, Issue 6, Dec. 2011.
8. Alicia Lanzerstorfer, Melanie Hackl, Matthias Schlömer, Brigitte Rest, Evelyn Deutsch-Grasl, Christof Lanzerstorfer. "The influence of air-dispersed essential oils from lemon (Citrus limon) and silver fir (Abies alba) on airborne bacteria and fungi in hospital rooms". Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, Feb. 2019.
