How to Make Homemade Air Freshener Spray With Fabric Softener

Learn How to Make Homemade Air Freshener Spray With Fabric Softener and freshen up your surroundings inexpensively!

How to Make Homemade Air Freshener Spray With Fabric Softener
shutterstock/Mila_chen

Looking for a quick and easy way to make your living space’s environment pleasant and inviting? Look no further than the homemade fabric softener air freshener, which you can make in under five minutes. Yes, you read it right! Read this article for more info.

How to Make Homemade Air Freshener Spray With Fabric Softener

Air Freshener Spray
shutterstock/Pixel-Shot

Things You’ll Need

  • 1-2 Tablespoons of Organic Fabric Softener
  • 2 Cups of Tepid Water
  • 1/2 Tablespoon of Baking Soda
  • Empty Spray Bottle
  • A Small Funnel

Directions

  1. Fill a clean, empty spray bottle with fabric softener, lukewarm water, and baking soda using a small funnel.
  2. Shake the bottle well until all the ingredients mix properly.
  3. Voila! Your homemade air freshener spray is ready.
  4. Spritz this spray as you desire to fill your home or office with a pleasant aroma.

Is It Safe to Use Fabric Softener as Air Freshener?

Yes, it’s safe to use fabric softener as an all-purpose home air freshener. Just make sure to use one listed as natural or organic. But if you’re a sensitive individual or have any existing respiratory issues, don’t try this homemade air freshener.

Note – Avoid directly inhaling the mist of this fabric softener air freshener.

How to Avoid Foul Odors?

clean trash cans
shutterstock/Oleg Opryshko

Follow these tips and avoid filling your living space with foul odors in the first place.

  • Regularly clean trash cans, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and areas where food waste accumulates.
  • Always maintain adequate ventilation by opening windows and exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen.
  • Periodically check plumbing leaks and mold growth to avoid unpleasant smells.
  • Clean your pet’s bedding and litter boxes.
  • Change HVAC filters periodically and inspect ductwork for mold or mildew growth.
  • Take out kitchen garbage regularly.
  • Designate an outdoor area for smoking to prevent lingering odors on furniture, walls, and fabrics.

61 COMMENTS

  1. I feel it’s important that you know that fabric softener also contains many harmful chemicals of which can cause allergies and respiratory problems. They are scented with synthetic fragrances and are in no way natural. This is a wonderful idea – I suggest that you use essential oils in place of the fabric softener. You can blend multiple oils to create your own scents. And they are all natural and safe for daily use. – I am in no way trying to be rude or anything of that nature. I just felt it important to share this info with you. Thanks

      • Jasmine, Teatree, Mint, Lemon, Orange. As an example for window cleaning l use 10 oz of water 1 TBSP White vinegar and 7 to 10 drops of Mint essential oil. Smells great and really keeps windows cleaner it seems longer. You also can mix different Essential oils and make your own scent . Example Citrus Lemon, Orange,and lime essential Oils.

          • Hold on. Check animal reactions to essential oils. I know someone whose dog almost died of essential oil diffuser with tea tree oil.

        • Remember tea tree oil is poisonous for dogs. So is peppermint. And many others. So please look them up first if you have pets.

        • I wanted to share that I was researching essential oils and most and I stress most are bad for cats. Many are toxic and lethal for cats. Cats cannot metabolize phenols and they produce respiratory problems in cats. They also build up in their livers which can be lethal for them. Humans are ok but not cats.

    • Brandi, I thought the exact same thing and live with people that have multiple chemical sensitivities. Maybe using one of the new scent free fabric softeners and add essential oils. Best of both worlds

    • You are so right Brandi. I was just about to make the same comment. My best friend has so many allergies. Air fragrances have a strong effect on her. Even some essential oils she has to be careful about. I have to use a very slight amount of oil for the mixture if I want her to be able to visit.

    • Thank you for your advice. I have eliminated carcinogens from my cleaning products. This is one more step towards a healthier environment. I use essentials oils all the time but never thought of using them this way.
      Greatly appreciated.

    • Yes thank you for that bit of information I was nearly going to make some but my son has pneumonia sore sorry should I say had pneumonia and has got asthma because of it. So thanks again for kind of saving the day

  2. Thank you Brandi Renee for that comment. The same thought came to my mind when I read fabric softener as being one of the ingredients. Good idea suggesting the use of essential oils.

  3. I agree with both of of you. It’s no longer natural because of the fabric softener that has chemical ingredients too. Anyways thanks for the idea except we’ll just use essential oils as what you mentioned Brandi..????

  4. Has anyone heard of using regular rubbing alcohol with a few drops of essential oil to make a great air freshener? I’ve tried it and it works very well.

  5. I’ve been using this for years, the only thing I don’t put it is baking soda. I’ve always had a very good sense of smell which during the yrs become such a big part of my daily live along with cleaning. When ur hse doesn’t smell nice then it starts me off with the cleaning. Now I’m just ‘slightly’ obsessed with smell & at 1 point I used to carry around a little squirty bottle with Lenor and water and spray it on myself, people, furniture, clothes, anywhere and everywhere! luckily everyone loves they smell of my home and me of course.

  6. A house that is truly clean will not smell bad. Masking the odors instead of the cleaning the cause of the stink will only make your home continue to smell bad and could possibly be causing health issues for your family…mold, pet odors, etc. Find that smell and get rid of foul air. Anna Habibis was correct to say that she becomes cleaning when she smells an odor. A simmer pot is probably the safest way to freshen the air in your home.

    • I completely agree with you Jamie!!! I, personally, do not want to mask odors. When my house is clean (I do the clean one room a day plan), which is all the time, there are no odors that need to be covered up. I do use an essential oil diffuser to diffuse different scents for mood, energy, anxiety, alertness, etc. I have one in my living room to diffuse the oil needed for the particular day, etc. I also have one in my bedroom that I put Lavender in and diffuse for about an hour 2-3 hours before going to bed (I do not want a strong scent, just the essence of the relaxation from the Lavender).

  7. I love the fresh smell, but I did see it leaves marks on glass etc. What I use it for is prior to vacuuming I spray all my carpets lightly with the fine mist, wait about 15 minutes, then vacuum. I instantly noticed how it aided in removing the pet hair from my carpets. For this, it’s a win win! House smells great and keeps a handle on pet hair. Thanks for the recipe!

  8. Mixing essential oils maye cause a health issue. The mix may cause dizziness and it may harm babies and your pets. If you don’t know what you are doing don’t mix the oil, stick to just one oil at a time.

  9. I can’t seem to find a good spray bottle. The ones I buy only have one mode Stream. I would appreciate anyone suggesting where to buy them. I need one for my hair as well.
    Thanking you in advance for your help and kindness.

  10. The other thing about using Fabric Softener, my old washing machine did not dispense the fabric softener correctly, so, the fabric softener would get directly on my clothes and leave an oil spot. I got to where I had to check each and every item as I took it out of the wash to determine if I needed to wash it again in clear water after scrubbing the oil spot. Needless to say, I now have a new washing machine. I would not want to use this recipe as I do not want oil spots on my cloth furniture, my curtains, my throws, pillows, rugs, etc.

  11. I have tried this. Trust me, you don’t want to let the mist settle on wood furniture. Little pink dots all over where it took off the finish. Grrr.

  12. I’ve been using this for years, but without the baking powder. And some of the issues people have raised I’ve never had any of these problems. I use it on my windows, my wood table, sofa, carpets and clothes. Maybe it depends of which softener you use.

  13. If you have pets, you don’t want them getting this on their feet and then licking their feet. Could be toxic for sure!! Many diffuser oils are toxic to pets also!! Always be cautious!!

  14. My dog has been licking his paws all the time, he never did it before. I am so worried and don’t know what to do or what is causing him to do it! If you have any idea what it is or what I need to clean his paws with I would really appreciate it!

  15. I simmer a small amount of cloves/ground cloves on my stove in about 3 cups (or more) of water & it smells great. Adjust the amount of cloves to your preference. I am also going to try simmering cut up lemons or orange peels to see how that works. Pets have become quite ill (respiratory issues) from essential oils & I would also wonder how they would be affected from the fabric softener spray
    (on their paws) as well.

  16. Oh My Goodness; you women are so petty. Either use it or move on. Your house is probably dirty and stank. GET SOME BUSINESS ABOUT YOURSELF.

  17. You people a f’ing monsters. Your parents should have drowned you when they had the opportunity. Nobody cares about your better ideas! Congratulate the person for taking the time to provide an idea and post it. Don’t like it move on! Quit bashing other ppl’s shit and write your post if your so brilliant! FML! YOU PPL ARE ASSHOLES IN MY EYES!

    • Thank you, Paul!!!
      Some people just need to bitch about everything.
      I bet all these ppl are OLD ppl. They have old agers grumpy disease……
      STFU !!!!!
      Read it and weep….

    • Paul, in reading your reply, I think you might have been a little TOO harsh, ” parents should have drowned you when they had the opportunity”Jeesus, although you might have had a legitimate gripe, I seriously think you might have taken it a little too far. Everyone should welcome constructive criticism, but, coming in hot like that, you overplayed it…..just saying.

  18. How to make Anti Smoke Repellent Spray which can remove the cigarette smoke from the room.
    Does anyone help me how to make this spray.

    • Vinegar in a spray bottle, full strength or you can dilute it a little with water, a bit of lemon juice to it you get a slight lingering of the lemon when the vinegar smell leaves.

  19. shoo that was all rather shocking to read, the various comments and then some….!!
    Quick question the essential oil diffusers – do you add water and then essential oils to that or just burn the oils over direct flame?

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Sherin Woods

I’m Sherin Woods, a DIY enthusiast and writer based in California, passionate about sustainable home improvement, crafting, and garden design. As the creator of DIYr.co, I share eco-friendly, budget-friendly projects that inspire creativity and responsibility.

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