I love it when my home smells fresh, and the right fragrance can really lift my mood.
So this month I’m looking for the most planet-friendly air freshener, that’s good for me, my space and the environment. If you want to make #JustOneSwap for a greener home, read on to discover my favourite air freshener options.
Home made Room and Fabric Spray
This is such a simple recipe from Nancy Birtwhistle and it’s so quick to make. It has just 3 ingredients – boiled, cooled water, lemon juice and essential oil. Nancy recommends clove bud oil as it’s great for dispelling cooking smells. I also added peppermint oil for freshness.
I had a few friends round recently for a “making party” (highly recommended and great fun) and we had a mixed verdict on this recipe. Some people wanted a stronger fragrance, so if that’s you, I would suggest adding a few more drops of essential oil until it’s just right.
I tried making a double quantity but I’ve decided to stick to the amounts in the recipe so that the lemon juice stays fresh. I boil extra water when I’m making a cup of tea, and I often have half a lemon left over from cooking, so it takes no time to whip up a batch to fill my glass spray bottle. It works a treat, smells fresh, and contains zero nasty chemicals or plastics. And at just £0.33 per 100ml, it’s great value for money too.
Oil Burner
This my favourite option when I’m expecting guests. My oil burner uses a tea light to warm the oils, which float on dish of water. I light it an hour before they’re due to arrive, so the oil has time to warm up and spread the delicious fragrance through my space.
Of course, be sure to use candles safely and place the burner out of reach of pets and children. If you don’t want to use a candle, you could try an electric burner.
I’ve had the same ceramic oil burner for years, so this is a plastic-free, sustainable option.
My favourite oils are geranium, cedar wood, or a blend of both with a little rose added. It’s well worth investing in high quality organic essential oils. Cheaper oils may contain synthetic carrier oils and even artificial, chemical fragrance which can cause irritation.
Scented candles
Like cheap essential oils, many commercially made candles contain synthetic fragrances which can smell harsh. They may also use paraffin wax, a by-product of the oil industry, and can release toxins into the air. This can cause breathing problems and allergic reactions in people with sensitivities, and pets.
If you like burning candles as air fresheners, it’s worth looking for high quality candles made from natural soy, coconut or beeswax, and fragranced with natural essential oils.
Plug-in air fresheners
The home fragrance aisle of my local supermarket is crammed with plug-in air fresheners, and it’s easy to see why they’re popular. You can adjust the level of fragrance, switch them on and off as needed, or leave them running for continuous freshness.
However, plug-in air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemicals such as formaldehyde. Many plug-ins use single use plastic cartridges which end up in landfill too. So while the air might smell nice, plug -in air fresheners could be harming your health, and the environment.
Gel air fresheners
You might remember this type of air freshener from your granny’s loo. They often come with a really powerful, artificial fragrance, and lots of plastic.
Friend and fabulous blog writer Clair Wright once spent her first few hours in a lovely holiday cottage, hunting for the source of a chemical smell so strong she could taste it. Eventually she tracked down the “lavender” gel air freshener hiding behind the curtain on the windowsill. She hid it in the back of the cupboard where the mop and vacuum lived – she says she just couldn’t share the space with that smell for a whole week.
In short, these old school air fresheners are bad for the planet and could cause irritation to you and your pets. Give them a miss.
Air Freshener Hacks
- Add a few drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle and mist bedding before ironing. Shake the bottle thoroughly before use, and you’ll get a fresh waft of fragrance at bedtime.
- Tuck a clean cotton handkerchief with a few spots of essential oils inside your cushion covers, for a burst of freshness every time you sink into the sofa.
- And remember – the cheapest, most natural way to freshen the air in your space is to open the windows.
Just One Swap
We’re on a mission to make our cleaning cupboard greener with #JustOneSwap each month. Visit our blog for more swap suggestions.
