Eliminate stinky odors from your car with this DIY car freshener with essential oils. It takes less than 5 minutes to make and is 100% toxin-free!
Homemade Car Freshener with Essential Oils
I don’t know about your car but with two teenage boys (no offense, guys), my car can use some freshening often.
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Especially with summer around the corner. For us, summertime means lots of traveling which means lots of eating in the car which can leave lingering odors behind.
(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure statement here.)
I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your doctor before using essential oils on children under 5 or while pregnant or breastfeeding. Please do not ask me for medical advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer.
I’m not a huge fan of those dangling, tree, air fresheners because although they definitely make the car smell good they tend to only mask the odor rather than eliminate it.
Plus, they always give me an enormous headache. As do other artificially scented car air fresheners.
Is Car Freshener Bad for Your Health?
I’m not entirely sure if store-bought car freshener is bad for your health. I’ve done a ton of research on candles and indoor air freshener and it’s pretty clear they both can have negative effects on your health.
So I am a little suspicious of store-bought car freshener.
After doing a little bit of research, I discovered that most car air fresheners are made with VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are synthetic compounds that can stay suspended in the air.
According to the EPA exposure to VOCs can cause headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage, cancer, and more.
You can learn more about VOCs here.
And if that wasn’t bad enough some car fresheners also contain formaldehyde and phthalates.
No wonder they always gave me a headache!
Car Air Freshener without Chemicals
So like so many other toxic products in my life, I chose to ditch it and switch it for a DIY version. And out of concern for the health of you and your family, I suggest you do too!
This homemade car freshener is made without chemicals. In fact, it only contains baking soda and essential oils.
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The best part about it is it not only smells amazing, but the baking soda actually absorbs unpleasant odors as well.
So the freshener doesn’t just mask the stench, it eliminates it.
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DIY Car Freshener Ingredients
When it comes to ditching and switching toxic products, I’m all about simplicity. The simpler the better.
I don’t want to have to buy 20 ingredients and spend tons of money. That’s why I love this homemade car freshener so much.
It literally takes less than 5 minutes to make and probably costs around $1 to make.
All you’ll need is a small jar with a perforated lid, baking soda, and essential oils.
You can use whatever combination of essential oils you like. Although, I do have my all-time favorite Anthropologie blend below if you would like to try it.
How To Make Car Freshener
To make this super, simple DIY add the baking soda to a small bowl. The amount of baking soda will depend on the size of the jar you plan to use.
I use a 12oz jar. So I use about a cup and a half of baking soda.
Then you’ll need to add the essential oils. The amount of essential oil will also depend on the size of the jar you plan to use. For a 12oz jar, I recommend 35-45 drops of essential oil.
If you use a larger jar than you’ll want to use more baking soda and essential oils and if you use a smaller jar than you’ll want to use less.
Like I mentioned earlier, you can use whatever combination of essential oils you prefer. If you would like to try my Anthropologie inspired scented car freshener blend the recipe is below.
Anthropologie Inspired Car Freshener Blend
- 15 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 8 drops geranium essential oil
- 7 drops spruce black essential oil
- 15 drops orange essential oil
I’m obsessed with this scent and I know you will be too! Everyone who gets in my car falls in love with it.
When you have finished adding all the ingredients to the bowl, use a spoon to mix well. Then pour the mixture into the jar, attach lid, and you’re done!
Stir well
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Pour into jar
Just remember to make sure the lid is perforated. You can create the holes yourself by hammering small nails through the lid or you can buy these lids.
Or you can buy jars like these.
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Need Essential Oils?
There are many essential oil companies that sell high-quality essential oils. I used to use Young Living oils exclusively but I just couldn’t afford to use them anymore.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover several brands that sell amazing, high-quality essential oils at very affordable prices.
I love Florihana essential oils and I use them quite often. If you’re not familiar with Florihana essential oils you can check out my full Florihana essential oils review.
I also regularly use Eden’s Garden, Plant Therapy, and Simply Earth essential oils.
If you decide to buy from Simply Earth you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a $40 Simply Earth gift card plus a big bonus box with the purchase of your first recipe box.
If you are not familiar with Simply Earth or their recipe box you can check out last month’s box here.
If you order now with the code above you will receive the recipe box, the big bonus box plus a $40 Simply Earth gift card, all for $39.99!
How To Use Homemade Car Freshener with Essential Oils
To use this homemade car freshener I just set the jar in one of the cup holders in my car. That’s it.
The essential oils may need to be reapplied about every 2-3 weeks or so. Whenever the scent isn’t as strong as you would like feel free to add more oils.
I recommend replacing the baking soda every 2-3 months. But it really depends on the level of stinkiness in your car….lol. As soon as you start to notice it’s not working anymore, it’s time to replace the baking soda.
Well I hope this homemade car air freshener makes your commute or road trips just a tad more pleasant. There is nothing worse than driving in a stinky car.
Now you can keep your car smelling great without chemicals! Share your favorite car freshener essential oil combinations in the comments below 🙂
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe