Homemade Green Cleaning Recipes

Step 3: Ghetto Febreze

This is a very easy Febreze alternative - I've seen a ton of recipes using fabric softener... but those aren't very "green".

What you'll need:

• a small spray bottle
• 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol or vodka
• essential oil
• 1 cup water

Fill the spray bottle with 1 cup water and 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol or vodka.

You'll now add the essential oils - I typically start with 30 drops and then work my way up. You can also mix oils to create custom scents. I also like using The Body Shop home fragrance oils in this mix and I've had no problems with them.

Note that you will be able to smell the alcohol, but only for a minute or so... after that things will just smell lovely. Rubbing alcohol has a stronger smell than vodka! :)

I use this on my couch, bed, curtains, dog bed, towels, etc. and the smell lingers for quite a while - for example, I sprayed my couch while cleaning yesterday and it still smells nice.

Comments

[bluidego]

oh also I use RAIN vodka for this it is the best

[bluidego]

I have been doing this with vodka for years. Although I didn't ever see it as ghetto. Essential oils are pricey and way better than anything febreeze puts out!

[mcorriveau]

I would be careful with some essential oils. Peppermint, in particular can be harmful to cats so it's a poor choice to deodorize your couch if you have one that likes to lay on it.

[vortexmax]

Better look up the toxicity factor on IPA (Rubbing Alcohol) Is is flammable and toxic,handle with care keep out long reach of children.Vodka to expensive to waste on cleaning.Use it to clean your throat but not to much.Other then this good stuff.

[fidgetofdoom]

actually... Vodka is WAY cheaper then some alternatives... This isn't just a smell good spray, its a deodorizer... and Vodka is brilliant for that oddly enough. I use it to remove sweat stink in shoes, and cat piss smells... great for spraying down furniture that you've gotten of craigslist and whatnot...

You don't need the kinda Vodka you'd buy to enjoy drinking, that nasty bottom shelf swill will work just fine for this.

[thefiftyfootwoman]

I just made this with cheap vodka, lavender and grapefruit essential oils. My sheets smell incredible. Thank you!!

[fgodwin]

Would vanilla essence work? Because then you could still drink some :D

[jessyratfink]

I initially read this and worried about the color of the essence, but I think it would be since it would be diluted so much!