This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Diffusing essential oils provides a variety of positive health benefits but can also aid in the removal of common odors in and around your home. Aromatherapy oils for different odors are effective, natural, and affordable as you only need to diffuse a few drops to get results. Commercial sprays contain up to 80 chemicals that when inhaled can cause exacerbation of health issues people may have.
Like commercial air fresheners essential oils help to cover up, not remove, offensive odors. Even toilet sprays like PooPourri work by creating an oily film to trap odors under the water, and then release scent when you flush. Odor down, scent up. We can’t flush smelly air away so we are left trying to displace foul odors with fresh ones.
There are several oils that can be used as air fresheners, but the top choice goes to the citrus oils. Any of the citrus oils, including citrusy smelling oils like lemongrass or citronella can freshen your air. Most of these have a relatively mild odor profile and will leave your room smelling fresh without being overpowering like a commercial air freshener.
The other powerhouse for odors is the wood family, especially cedarwood. Other options include juniper, spruce, pine, and sandalwood.
Finally, you can blend the above oils with other fresh smelling (and antimicrobial) oils like lavender, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, or clove.
Pet Odor Blend
3 drops cedarwood
2 drop lemon
Smoke Blend #1
3 drops lemon
1 drop eucalyptus
1 drop tea tree
Smoke Blend #2
2 drops peppermint
2 drop pine
2 drop lemon
Stale Odor Blend #1
3 drops Bergamot
2 drops Juniper
1 drop Patchouli
Stale Odor Blend #2
2 drops citronella
2 drops rosemary
1 drop tea tree
Safe to diffuse around children over 2:
2 drops lemon
1 drop pine
*all recipes are 5-6 drops for a standard ultrasonic diffuser. When diffusing around young children, use lower amounts and/or shorter diffusion times
Read more: Diffusing Essential Oils around Children
Diffusing for bathroom odors:
We already talked about PooPourri, and if you don’t want to buy it, you can make your own by making a room spray with some vodka, water, and essential oils (any of the recipes above would work).
Another neat trick for the bathroom is to put a few drops of essential oils on the inside of the cardboard toilet paper roll. Allow the oils to dry before putting the TP back on your holder. Also, be sure not to saturate the cardboard to the point where those last few squares on the roll get essential oils on them (a big ouch when you go to use them if you know what I mean).
Diffusing in the kitchen:
Most of the time, our kitchens smell good. Sometimes though, your husband makes fish (ick). Sometimes you sauté onions and garlic (mmm). Either way, the air needs a little help to feel fresh again. In the kitchen, citrus and herbals work nicely together.
Lemon or lemongrass with any of the following is great in the kitchen:
Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Oregano
Stubborn Odors:
There may be times when diffusing oils is not enough. Sometimes odors get trapped in upholstery or carpet and they can be stubborn!
Baking soda or vinegar can be your best friend in this case. We all have that box in our fridge to absorb odors, but it works well in any room in your house as well. You can set out a dish of baking soda with a few drops of essential oils in any area to absorb odors and freshen.
You can also make a DIY carpet freshener with baking soda and oils. Here is a simple recipe over at DIY Natural
Vinegar and water make an inexpensive household cleaner. Here is an easy recipe that you can make with or without the addition of baking soda, and any essential oils you choose.
Summing Up:
Citrus and wood oils work great for freshening the air, and in most cases diffusing them will be all you need. When you really need the odors absorbed, baking soda will be your best bet.
What is your favorite blend for odors?
Thank you this was very helpful Alice Mahoney