5 chemical free and eco-friendly air fresheners

A beautifully, mildly scented home is always very inviting and has the power to help you completely transform your mood. However, that fresh fragrant smell of lemons or flowers aren’t really fresh or good for you. Almost all synthetic air fresheners whether the aerosol ones, the plug-ins or scented candles, have no ingredient listings on their labels but are known to be high in chemical content like phthalates. According to a National Resources Defence Council (NRDC) report, phthalates are commonly associated with hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, reproductive disorder along with  other health issues in babies. Not only that, they are also extremely hazardous to the environment too, making them a good option to skip. Fortunately, there are alternatives to the harmful chemically infused air fresheners which are easy to fix and completely chemical free.

Listed below are 5 options of making your own :

1. Baking Soda: This wonder ingredient from your kitchen shelf is loaded with benefits. Baking soda is an odour neutralizer, so it doesn’t just mask offensive odour but eliminates it entirely. All you need is a small mason jar or any ready to be disposed glass/reused plastic bottle from your personal care, pretty paper to form a cover (in place of the lid), ¾ cup baking soda and an essential oil of your choice. Add the baking soda to the jar and add a few drops of the oil to it. Cover it well with the paper and using a fine needle make small holes in the paper covering. That’s it, it’s ready for use. For a detailed DIY instruction on making it, click here.
   

   Image Courtesy: http://livingwellmom.com/2015/09/natural-homemade-air-freshener/

2. Wooden Cubes: Either buy these off a craft store or if you have small pieces of wood lying around, put those to use. Wood is good at absorbing the oils and then keeping the smell lingering on for prolonged freshness. Pour in about 18-20 drops of your favourite essential oil in a little bowl. Take the wooden cubes and add them to a packet/ ziploc and pour the essential oils onto them and give it a good mix. Once the oil has covered the cubes well, just place them in some old glass/ other jar from your personal care and let the fragrance freshen your air.
   

   Image Courtesy: http://www.northstory.ca/diy-air-freshener-how-to-use-oils-to-scent-wood/

3. Vanilla Extract: This one’s super easy to fix. All you need is a few drops of vanilla extract mixed with a cup water and transferred to a spray bottle. Use this spray in all areas of your home.
   

   Image Courtesy: http://www.themakeyourownzone.com/2013/01/diy-vanilla-air-freshener-spray.html

4. Vodka: Vodka and other spirits have ethyl alcohol the main ingredient found in commercial air fresheners. Additionally, vodka too is an odor absorber, that dries out quickly, while absorbing offensive odour with it. To fix an air freshener using vodka, pick any cheap, inexpensive vodka, take 2 tablespoons of it, add it to 3/4 cup of water, add to that 18-20 drops of your favorite essential oil and spray around your home.
   

   Photo credit: christian.senger via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

5. Oil Diffuser: This one’s the conventional diffuser, made chemical free. All you need is an old recycled small bottle, some bamboo kebab skewers (5-10), carrier oil (almond, jojoba etc) and essential oils. Mix 3/4th cup carrier oil to 15-20 drops of essential oil. Transfer this into the bottle and mix using the skewer. Add all skewers. The skewers will gradually absorb the smell from the mixture of oil and transmit it.

So the next time, give those expensive synthetic fragrances a miss and instead opt for customized to suit your preference. If you’ve got some recipes on making your own air fresheners, do share them with us.