How to Make Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are wonderful but some can be a little overbearing and some can smell kind of fake. Making your own is not only less expensive, but you can have the scent you like and how you like it. Besides, doing it yourself is always more fun and rewarding. Most of the time you will be able to make these air fresheners for your home and your car from ingredients you already have in your house, the rest are easily found at your local craft store.
Things You'll Need
- Vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Cinnamon
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Allspice
- Ginger
- Dried flower tops
- Dried fruit
- Scent oils
- A small mold
- White glue
- Paint
- Large rubber band
- Cooking spray
- Potpourri
- Vanilla and other good smelling extracts
- Dryer sheets
- Baking soda
Instructions
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Make Air Fresheners
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Use vinegar. You can mix one tablespoon of vinegar with a cup of water and boil to get rid of strong cooking odors. Once it starts to boil turn it off and let it sit. You can also put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it into the air to freshen it up. The vinegar smell only takes a minute to dissipate and leaves the air smelling great. For really stubborn smells, leave a couple tablespoons of vinegar in a small bowl on your counter for a few hours.
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2
Make a simmering potpourri. Fill a small pot or small crock pot with a couple broken cinnamon sticks, some cloves, allspice and ground ginger. Add a few drops of vanilla extract. Simmer on the stove adding more water as it evaporates. Even if you use a small crock pot or simmering pot you must check the water and don't let it completely evaporate. Another recipe you can use is dried flowers and/or dried fruit. Add some essential oils that smell like flowers. Mint mixed with some evergreens is also a fantastic smelling potpourri.
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3
Make an auto air freshener. The first thing you need is a mold. You can use one of your child's play dough or sand toys, or you can just use a lid to a jar you are getting rid of. Spray the inside of your mold with cooking spray. Mix the white glue with some paint to match the potpourri and spread it in the bottom of the mold. Place a large rubber band in the glue and let it hang out of the mold. Press the potpourri into the glue until you can't see the glue any more. Let it dry for a few hours and check to make sure it's hard. Press or pull our of the mold. Hang on the rear view mirror of your automobile.
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Place dryer sheets. You can use dryer sheets all around the house. Put them in air vents, under you couch cushions and in clothes drawers to freshen up the air, furniture and clothes. Baking soda works well too. Sprinkle on the carpets and furniture, let sit for an hour and vacuum off well. It will take the odors with it.
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Tips & Warnings
Use can use essential oils in hot water anytime. Experiment with the scents until you find your favorite.
Never leave cooking potpourri unattended. Turn all heat sources off when you leave your house.
