Make your own DIY Linen Spray to freshen up towels, lines, upholstery, curtain and other linens and fabrics for pennies and just a few simple ingredients.

Bottle of homemade linen spray next to a bar of soap and homemade laundry detergent

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It’s so stinkin’ (pun intended) easy to make your own DIY Linen Spray (aka Homemade Febreze). All you need is a few simple ingredients you already have in your home.

The Problem with Store-Bought Linen Sprays + Fabric Fresheners

Okay, I’m so guilty. I used to use store-bought fabric fresheners in my home all the time, especially my clothes. You see, in an effort to avoid washing my clothes after every wash, I’d just spray my clothes for to freshen it up.

But guess what? Those fabric fresheners are loaded with toxic chemicals. Those scents are artificial – I mean how do you bottle the scent of “linen and sky” or “meadows and mist”, right? But that’s not all. There’s so much going on below the surface. Those fabric fresheners have been linked to a number of health issues, including allergies, asthma, skin irritations and more.

In fact, one of the leading fabric freshener sprays on the market, actually got a F rating in the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Guide to Healthy Cleaning. What exactly is in these fabric freshener products? Here are just some of the ingredients: ¹

Proprietary odor eliminator – linked to skin irritations, allergies, acute and chronic aquatic toxicity
Quarternary ammonium compounds – linked to acute aquatic toxicity, respiratory effects, systemic/organ effects
Ethanolamine – linked to nervous system effectics, skin irritations, allergies, systemic/organ effects
Fragrance – linked to skin irritations, allergies, nervous system effects, respiratory effects
Benzisothiazolinone – linked to skin irritations and allergies
Silicon compounds
Yclodextrin
Alcohol denatured
Ethanol
Hydrogenated castor oil
Odium hydroxide
Citric acid
Water

Okay, I don’t know about you, but I can’t pronounce most of the ingredients on this list, and I don’t have a remote clue what they’re doing in this product. And you know how I feel about ingredients I can’t pronounce… they don’t belong in my home (and they shouldn’t in yours either).

Not to mention the proprietary odor eliminator could contain hundreds of chemicals that the company doesn’t have to disclose because it’s a secret recipe (therefore they can patent and choose not to disclose to the public). Sneak, sneaky.

Just the first 5 ingredients alone have an F rating with the EWG due to toxicity levels on the body. Is this what you want to use on your clothes, closets, couches, etc.? There is a better way, I’ll show you.

Homemade Linen Spray – Cheaper Than Store Bought

Fabrics in your home for just pennies and with simple ingredients. This recipe has just three ingredients that you probably already have in your home. This can be used to spray on linens, shoes, garbage cans, diaper pails or pretty much anywhere you want to eliminate odors.

Vodka or rubbing alcohol is used in this air freshener recipe as it dissipates quickly and doesn’t leave a residue on furniture or upholstery. It also helps to clear odors from the air and fabrics.

This DIY Air Freshener recipe is great for small spray bottles too. Keep it in the car to freshener the air on the go.

Ingredients to Make Linen Spray

Vodka helps the water in this recipe dissipate faster and also helps to keep this spray sanitized so it has a longer shelf life – about 4-6 weeks.
Essential oils provide the natural fragrance in this recipe. Purification essential oil (a blend of citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, melaleuca and myrtle essential oils) is very effective in deodorizing and removing odors from fabric. You can also use Citronella essential oil in place of Purification.

Which Essential Oils to Use for This Spray?

You can use a combination of essential oils to provide the natural scent in this recipe, including:

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How to Make this Linen Spray – Step by Step

1. In an 8 oz spray bottle, add 1/3 cup vodka.

2. Add 10-15 drops essential oil. A great combination is half Lavender and half Lemon. It smells so refreshing.

3. Fill with water and shake well before using.

How to Use This Linen Spray

Spray generously on fabrics like curtains and pillows and upholstery like couches, ottomans, love seats and chair. Allow to air dry and then put fabrics back where they belong (in the closet, back on the couch, etc.). Use as often as needed to keep fabrics and upholstery smelling fresh. I suggest using weekly.

This is a great spray to use for towels, sheets, and bedding left in the linen closet for a while to freshen them up.

Top Tips for This DIY Fabric Freshener

You can use all kinds of essential oils, but Purification essential oil (a blend of citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, melaleuca and myrtle essential oils) is very effective in deodorizing and removing odors from fabric.
Use vodka or rubbing alcohol in this recipe.
Shake well before using.

How to Get Started with Essential Oils

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Check out my FREE masterclass all about essential oils and this beginner’s guide to essential oils.
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