Make this natural homemade carpet freshener and deodorize your carpets, mattresses, sofas, pet beds, and more with just 2 simple ingredients!
NOTE for cat owners: It is not recommended to use essential oils around cats because their liver is not able to metabolize the compounds found in essential oil. So the compounds accumulate in their system and can lead to liver failure. You can still use straight baking soda without the essential oils to freshen your carpets and rugs. It won’t leave a scent, but it will still absorb and eliminate odours. More info on cats and essential oils
This week we’re making a super simple homemade carpet freshener. With just baking soda and some essential oils, you can make one of these easy homemade room and carpet fresheners, and use them on your mattresses, sofas, pet beds, and any area that could use some freshening up!
Commercial carpet fresheners are filled with artificial fragrances that are so overpowering and let’s face it, they don’t really get rid of odours. Instead, they just mask the odours with a super-fruity, synthetic scent.
That’s not to mention all the health problems they can cause for some people, especially those with allergies and other sensitivities.
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How to Make Homemade Carpet Freshener
All you need is an old cheese shaker or mason jar with holes in the lid. Add your baking soda and essential oils, stir it up, and you’re good to go!
My friend also shared with me these lovely decorative mason jar lids which I thought were pretty neat!
Baking soda has so many uses and is known for its great deodorizing and neutralizing properties, which makes it the perfect ingredient in this homemade carpet freshener.
Instead of masking odors, baking soda neutralizes them leaving the surrounding areas smelling like, well…nothing. And nothing is a great thing!
But if you want to add a little something to your homemade carpet freshener, essential oils are where it’s at! Add about 5-10 drops of your favourite essential oil, stir it up with the baking soda, then cover your jar with the lid of your choice.
How to Use Homemade Carpet Freshener
Just sprinkle it evenly on your carpets, mattresses, or other upholstery, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, then vacuum it up and enjoy the wonderful, natural scent of deodorizing baking soda and essential oils freshening up your room!
Natural Air Freshener & Carpet Deodorizer
Ingredients
- 1 cup Baking Soda
- 5 drops Essential Oil ( (optional, but adds a nice scent))
- Cheese Shaker ( (or mason jar with holes in the lid))
Instructions
- Add baking soda to the jar.
- Add about 5 drops of essential oils.
- Stir to combine
- Sprinkle evenly on your carpet, wait 5-10 minutes, then vacuum as usual.
What are your favorite ways to naturally freshen up your home?
You’d probably be wise to avoid the smelly stuff if you have birds, too. Avian respiratory systems are complex and sensitive to stuff in the air. Baking soda in a grated-cheese shaker, changed out monthly, though — that may be just the ticket around our place (with 10 birdies running around in the avian equivalent of pampers…).
Ooh, good call!
Are they pet friendly ? I have two cats, and I heard that Essential Oils and many chemicals are toxic for cats.
If you could clarify which is pet friendly, I want to make them !!
Thanks for bringing this up! I will add a note to the post. But to be on the safe side, it is not recommended to use essential oils around cats because their liver is not able to metabolize the oils. I’ve seen lists of safe vs unsafe oils to use around cats, but I wouldn’t risk it. Here’s an article right from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association with more info: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/cats-and-essential-oils
But you can still just use the baking soda and leave out the essential oils! It won’t leave a scent behind, but it will still work to absorb and eliminate odours, and freshen your carpets and rugs.
Not bad at all! 🙂
Will also sign up to your e-book to see what it has to offer. Can already start by trying to make this homemade air freshener.
Despite looking after “all” the eco-blogs in English, I have yet to see yours before. Seems like you are covering a lot of topics that are highly interesting. 🙂 Bookmarked!
What oils do you recommend?
My favourites for cleaning/freshening are lavender and any citrus oils.
I was just wondering if you could substitute Epsome salt instead of baking powder? Just asking cause I would like to add the old mixture to a hot bath. Thanks in advance
Yes, you could totally do that! You could also add the baking soda to the bath, as it has many benefits for the skin. 🙂
I love the recipe it’s fantastic
Great!
I would like to use this for my carpet cleaner. If I have left over, can I use it again next time I vacuum the carpet? Or does it all need to be used at one time? How should I store the left over?
Yes! I just store it in my cupboard as is. Or you can choose to cover the container to make it airtight in between uses.
How long does the jar or baking soda and essential oil last? When should the ingredients be thrown out and replaced?
They should last a few months or more. When they lose their scent or stop working, I’ll add them to a container and use them to scrub sinks and tubs while cleaning.
How long will baking soda last as a deoderizer? A month? A week? More less??
It really depends on the size of the room. I use these mostly for the bathrooms, and I replace them every 3-4 weeks or so.
I must say this is the easiest tip I ever heard to make my home smell good. Loved the decorative jars used. I need to try this tip ASAP to make my own Room Freshener
Love this! It pains me to imagine how harmful those air conditioners could be! To think, I always swear by them. Homemade stuff always get my fancy. Thank you for this one.
I’ve seen this recipe in many places, but I haven’t gotten a good result. I cannot smell the scent even in a small room.
hi
is baking soda same as baking powder
No, it’s now. They’re two different products that serve different purposes and have different properties.
Bicarbonate of soda is what u need 😊
I can use the lids and punch holes. I am one of those that save my jar lids after I open a jar of food. After the jar is washed, I put the old lid back on to keep the jars clean.
I do the same thing. I turn the used lid over and screw the band back on.
Thank you for posting such a simple / great / no chemical air freshener. How long do they typically last as air fresheners? Does it depend on the essential oil that you use? 🙂
Aww, you’re very welcome! It depends not only the oils you use, but more importantly, how tough the odors are that you’re eliminating. But as a general guideline, I usually refresh the oils every 2 months or so, give or take.
Awesome, inexpensive idea for holiday gifts. I am thinking of using the new blue mason
jars or adding food color if using a clear jar. Thank you for sharing!
i can not wait to try this….thank you
I love how you made these *attractive!* Every time I’ve seen them before they’ve looked so tacky! Thanks!
Tacky? It is baking soda and essential oil….. How can that get tacky? I suppose she did add a colorant to the baking soda….
Love this idea, Sarah! Pinning!