Natural Air Fresheners

I love my home to smell fresh and clean, but I don't like the idea of breathing in all the chemicals that are often found in commercial air fresheners. Plus, many of these chemically based air fresheners don't work very well. Here are some easy and inexpensive homemade air fresheners and deoderizers.

1. Soak a cotton ball. Saturate a cotton ball with your favorite essential oil or use real vanilla extract. Place the cotton ball on a plate in a central location (or near the area where the odors tend to emanate from.)

2. Use the stove. Steep cinnamon sticks and cloves in some hot water on the stovetop for a couple of hours. Experiment with other favorite spices, as well. Ginger, basil, and rosemary are also good choices that are probably readily available in your spice rack. Also try real vanilla or almond extract .

3. Deoderize your garbage disposal. Place a small lemon wedge in the garbage disposal. Turn on the disposal for about one minute while running cold water. Another method for freshening your disposal: Make ice cubes from vinegar and grind them in your disposal for a minute or two. Rinse with cold water.

4. Make sure your home is clean. If your home isn't smelling fresh, give it a good top to bottom cleaning with natural cleansers. Check for damp areas that may be moldy or mildewy. If you have pet odors, tackle them yourself or find a professional carpet cleaner that offers some natural cleaning alternatives

5. Open the windows. Let fresh air flow through your home as often as possible.

6. Experiment with the variety of all natural air fresheners that are available. By popular demand, an increasing number of these are finding their way to the shelves of your natural foods stores – and even regular grocery stores.

7. Deoderize diaper pails or trash containers by sprinkling in a mixture of baking soda and essential oils. (Add a teaspoon of your favorite essential oil to every cup of baking soda and mix well.) You can also try this as a carpet deodorizer. Sprinkle on the carpet, wait a few minutes, and vacuum. (Make sure to spot test any new carpet treatment before using it throughout your home.)

8. Treat yourself to a fresh bouquet of fragrant flowers. (Oriental lilies are my favorite. They fill my home with a remarkable aroma for days.) br />
9.  Baking soda, as the box says, works wonders as a refrigerator deodorizer and if you find that your water bottles, coffee mugs, or Thermos(r) bottles have stains, place 1/4 tsp of baking soda and warm water in each and let them soak overnight.  The smells will have vanished in the morning. 

Next: Recipes for Basic Natural Cleaning Products >

More Natural Cleaning Products and Recipes at Momscape.com:
Natural Air Fresheners
Basic All-Purpose Cleaners
Natural Furniture Polish
Natural Laundry Detergent
Natural Stain Removers
Natural Metal Cleaners and Polishes
Natural Carpet Cleaners
Natural Floor Cleaners
Natural Pet Stain Removal