Effective Homemade Non-Toxic Air Fresheners
Save Money with Safer Home Products Made with Common Pantry Items
Dec 14, 2008
Commercial air fresheners can pollute the indoor air and pose a health hazard. According to Dr. George Grant, toxicologist and founder of the International Wellness Academy, “An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air.” These pollutants can be drastically reduced by utilizing common non-toxic items.
These make-at-home recipes and time-honored solutions come from Michigan State University Extension, Readers Digest Practical Problem Solver (1991), and grandmothers everywhere.
Air Fresheners
Spray Bottle Recipes
- In a spray bottle, mix 1/4 cup baking soda with water and shake well. The baking soda absorbs the odor. Add a few drops of perfume, essential oil such a lavender, or an extract such as lemon, orange or vanilla as desired.
- Spray undiluted white vinegar in the air. The vinegar smell evaporates very quickly, taking odors with it.
Kitchen and Food Odors
- Prevent or eliminate cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking.
- To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
- Place a bowl of vinegar on the counter and let it sit for a few hours.
- Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
- Grind up a slice of lemon or orange in the garbage disposal.
- Simmer water and cinnamon, cloves, or other spices on stove.
- Place a partially filled box of baking soda in the refrigerator. Replace every two months and pour the contents of the used box down the drain removing odors keeping the drain clean. Baking soda can also be used to deodorize bottles by filling them with undiluted baking soda and allowing the bottles to soak overnight. Then wash as usual.
- In the refrigerator or car, place pure vanilla on a cotton ball in a small saucer to remove odors. It is reported to remove even skunk odors. Keep the cotton ball out of reach of children due to vanilla's high alcohol content.
Tips and Tricks
- Open windows or doors in the house for at least a short period every day. This will also help to reduce toxic fumes that may be building up indoors.
- Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
- Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers (potpourri) in room.
- Place new or used dryer sheets in the air vents, freshening the air as it comes into the room.
- Dampen a towel with vinegar and wave it through the air
- Place a few drops of essential oil or perfume on light bulbs.
- Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home. Spider plants are natural air fresheners.
- To freshen the air in the basement or garage, set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hours.
- To avoid or remove onion odors from your hands, rub white vinegar on your hands before and after slicing. Rubbing hands with the end of a celery stalk will also remove the odor.
Carpet Freshener
- Fill a Parmesan cheese shaker or similar container with baking soda. (spray with a little perfume or cologne if desired.) Sprinkle over carpets and let it sit as long as possible (Overnight is best). Vacuum. Add table salt to the baking soda, if desired. The salt absorbs moisture and acts as an abrasive, increasing the effectiveness of vacuuming.
Using these formulas and substitutions help minimize the use of toxic substances in the home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled and out of the reach of children.
For more non-toxic solutions for the home, please go to Laundry Cleaners, Floor Cleaners, and Bathroom Cleaners.
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