Over the past several months, I’ve received a ton of requests from readers for a fabric (AKA: linen) refresher spray. A spray that is made with simple, real, and natural ingredients, and may be used in place of the artificially-fragranced fabric freshener spray sold in conventional stores. Today, I’ll show you how easy it is to make a 100% natural fabric freshener spray with just 3 ingredients!
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The ironic thing about these requests is that I’ve been making and using a fabric refresher spray, when needed, for a couple of years now, but I haven’t actually talked about the recipe on Live Simply. With the holidays just a few weeks away, a time when many of us will be cleaning and freshening our homes for company, I can’t think of a better time to publicly share a simple fabric refresher spray recipe.
Inviting company into my home means that people will sit on the same couch as stinky Toby (our dog), use the same bathroom as my kids, and sit on the soiled chair cushions in our dining room. company = cleaning
Before company arrives, the bathrooms need to be given extra special cleaning attention, the cushions on the chairs need to be washed, and the couch needs to be refreshed so it doesn’t smell like a dog just sat on it (Toby…).
It’s not that I’m afraid of being authentic. Dirty white cushions and a couch that smells like good ol’ Toby are definitely “authentic.” It’s just that I want our guests to be comfortable, and a clean house (well, as clean as possible) is definitely a step in the comfortable direction, in my opinion.
Thankfully, I have plenty of homemade cleaner recipes to help get my home as clean as possible, without the unwanted fumes or toxic ingredients. My simple all-purpose spray and toilet bowl cleaner work wonders in the bathroom. My favorite natural laundry soap is just the solution needed to clean the white dining room chair cushions. And, finally, I turn to a homemade fabric refresher spray that will freshen the couch and take away the unwanted odors.
My homemade fabric refresher spray is just as simple to make, if not easier, than the other cleaning products that I mentioned. Homemade fabric freshener spray only requires 3 basic ingredients: high-proof vodka, water, and essential oils. That’s it! You’ll probably recognize this combo as the same ingredients that I use to make a disinfectant spray and air freshener. Friend, this is literally the exact same spray, just with a special title: fabric refresher. This means that one spray may be used multiple ways.
Thankfully, I have plenty of homemade cleaner recipes to help get my home as clean as possible, without the unwanted fumes or toxic ingredients. My simple all-purpose spray works wonders in the bathroom. My bleach alternative and homemade laundry soap are just the solutions needed to clean the white dining room chair cushions. And, finally, to take care of the Toby-scented couch, I turn to a homemade fabric refresher spray.
My homemade fabric refresher spray is just as simple to make, if not easier, than the other cleaning products that I mentioned. The spray only requires three basic ingredients: high-proof vodka, water, and essential oils. That’s it! You’ll probably recognize this combo as the same ingredients that I use to make a disinfectant spray and air freshener. Friend, this is literally the exact same spray, just with a special title: fabric refresher. This means that one spray may be used multiple ways.
The holidays are probably the last thing most of us want to think about. After all, it’s only October. If you’re anything like me, just thinking about making dinner and getting the kids to bed requires all the mental capacity and energy available to one person. Whether you tuck this recipe away for the upcoming holiday season (and the gatherings you may have in your home), or use this spray right now as a daily fabric refresher, I think you’ll love the naturally-clean scent as much as I do.
What does fabric freshener do?
A fabric freshener is a product designed to eliminate pesky odors on fabrics (like towels, clothing, upholstery couches and pillows, curtains, carpet, etc.). Fabric fresheners use scent and also odor-eliminating ingredients to freshen the surfaces in your home. Febreze Fabric Refresher is a popular store-bought option. I don’t use fragranced products in my home, unless a company is willing to disclose the ingredients used to make the fragrance. This is why I choose to make my own DIY recipes, including fabric freshener spray, with natural, non-toxic ingredients.
How do you make homemade fabric freshener spray?
High-Proof Vodka: Alcohol has been used for generations for sterilizing and sanitizing (and yes, also pleasure). A high-proof vodka (high alcohol content) is the key to creating a natural odor neutralizer. Vodka is odorless, clear (won’t stain fabrics), and evaporates quickly. People in the theatre business use vodka to freshen and remove pesky odors from costumes that can’t be washed. It works!
Distilled Water: You could use vodka as-is, 100% straight, but I prefer to dilute it with water. No need to go full strength unless you want to do some serious odor-busting and sanitizing, then by all means go with 100% vodka in a spray bottle. I dilute the vodka by half with distilled water (which eliminates the potential for bacterial growth using tap water). Distilled water also eliminates any mineral deposits that could be left by tap water.
Essential Oils: If you just want to eliminate and freshen fabrics, you don’t need to add a scent to your fabric freshener spray. But if you love Febreze (and the scent that comes with it), but don’t want the toxic chemicals, you can add a natural scent with an essential oil. I love tea tree oil which is an antibacterial (helps eliminate any bacteria-causing odors), lavender, and lemon essential oil. Lavender calms and lemon invigorates and freshens. I also love eucalyptus or this germ-fighting blend of oils. Essential oils are not the same fatty oils like olive oil and coconut oil, so they should not stain or leave oil spots on fabric when diluted.
To make an odor eliminator spray….
Combine the ingredients in a 16-ounce bottle (like this), and use! Since you’re using distilled water (or straight up vodka), the DIY room freshener and linen spray will last for several weeks (or months without water).
How do you use fabric freshener spray?
Spray the fabric freshener spray in the air (for a room that needs a quick refresh) or on fabric surfaces to eliminate odors: couches, carpets, rugs, cushions, pillows, curtains, etc. Do not use a fabric freshener spray on any surface that may water spot, such as: leather, suede, silk, etc. Speciality surfaces need special care. Always spot test a surface before spraying liberally with this spray or any cleaner.
Fabric Refresher Spray
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup high-proof vodka
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 25 drops lavender essential oil
- 25 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions
- Pour the vodka into a 16-ounce spray bottle (like this), and then the essential oil(s). Shake the bottle to combine the vodka and oils. Finally, add the water and shake the bottle again.
How to Use:
- This room and fabric freshener spray spray is multi-purpose, so it may be sprayed on most surfaces, including fabric and linens (not silk, leather, or suede). Shake the bottle before each use. Some essential oils, like tea tree, are NOT safe to use around pets (like cats and dogs). Please do your own research on safe essential oil usage if you have pets in your home and consult with your trusted vet. This article details the essential oils that are safe to use around pets.
This is very exciting! I don’t like the chemicals that dry cleaners use, but my alpaca sweaters have been worn for 15 yrs, and need a freshening up. As a non-drinker, I love it that isopropyl alcohol is a good substitute. Great info in this article, thank you!!
That’s awesome, Patricia! I’m so glad this can work as a good substitute for you.
Thank you! Is High proof vodka same as the regular vodka that could found in liquor stores ?
Hi May, yes!
LS Team
Will the essential oils not leave spots on upholstery?
Hi Katherine,
It shouldn’t, I always recommend spot checking before using anything.
LS Team
Please note that some essential oils are toxic to dogs and cats. So always research before using any of them if you have pets. I would suggest including that information in any article for any essential oil you recommend. Those who are new to them may not have any idea that certain EOs are toxic to their pets.
Thank you for the feedback, Suzie!
LS Team
This has been so helpful to find a recipe that doesn’t use fabric softener. The vodka is great at neutralizing smells. I like using it on my boyfriend’s favorite baseball cap, my mattress, and of course shirts for wrinkles and odor reduction. I can’t believe how well this works on man clothes!
That’s great, Shelley! So glad it works well for you.
LS Team.
Can you substitute isopropyl alcohol?
Hey Mary Jo, Yes, you could.
Thank you for your great information, I will try to make it myself for my fabric covered furniture.
Let me know how it goes!
Hi Kristin, can this be spritz onto clothes prior to ironing? Thanks!
Hey Charmaine, You can! I would just skip the essential oil.
Tea tree oil is toxic for dogs and should not be used in a house with dogs.
Thanks for sharing, AG. This recipe isn’t made for dogs, so we always advise pet owners to cautiously approach anything sprayed in and around their home. This goes for essential oil-based products, too.
Hi There,
I made this yesterday and am so excited start making natural cleaning products! My biggest problem is my husband hates the smell of lavender. Eek. I am trying things out while he is away from home, but if he had been here when I sprayed the first couch cushion he would have killed me. I was also going to make the reusable surface wipes but there is so much more lavender than the lemon and such. I love lemon. Do you have a recommendation for how to use less lavender in some of your recipes? Also, is lemon essential oil always yellow or did I buy a cheap kind.
Hey Kate, You could definitely use a different essential oil for the recipes calling for lavender. I think grapefruit, sweet orange, and lemon are lovely. I also love peppermint and eucalyptus (just be careful around children). Lemon essential oil is usually pale yellow. This is normal :).
Can this fabric refreshner be used for ironing clothes the way commercial sprays are used as a dampner for wrinkles before ironing?
Hey Sharon, Yes, it can. Vodka works well for this use. Just skip the essential oils.
I have a silly question, if you use vodka as a base, won’t the person smell like vodka? My husband plays Santa and needs to freshen up his suit and also would like to smell slightly pepperminty…like all good Santa’s should….But I don’t want people to accuse him of smelling like a drunk lol
Lol, good question, April. Vodka is usually odorless, so I don’t believe so. You could add plenty of peppermint essential oil.
Can you substitute isopropyl alcohol?
I have a quick question. I am new to the essential oil world and I have seen alot about not putting them in plastic bottles. Once this the oils are mixed with water and vodka are they safe to store in plastic? Or should I buy glass spray bottles?
Thanks
Hey Maria, For short-term use, plastic should be fine and it helps that this isn’t going on your skin. For long-term use (which this product isn’t designed for), glass is best.
Hi!! Love this:) quick question could flavored vodka work, I have mango vodka in my freezer just curious? Thanks for all your wonderful insights and quick whip up recipes:)
Key
Hey Key, I don’t believe so. The oils provide fragrance and beneficial properties.
We used this same spray in the theater without the essential oils to “clean” costumes until the end of a run when they could be dry-cleaned–we used it on uniforms, wool, and heavy non-washable fabrics. It was great at removing odors. I was looking to update the recipe and this is perfect! Thank you.
Awesome, Carrie!
Hi, this won’t stain fabric?? Just concerned about the oils…:) Thanks!!
Hey Amy, Essential oils usually don’t. You can always perform a small test spray first, too. EO’s aren’t like vegetable oils, which leave behind grease stains.
I use the fabric refresher for ironing. I am concerned with the oils staining when ironing. Have not dared to try…linens are expensive to stain.
I would test a small area on something that isn’t delicate. Maybe a cloth napkin that’s old? Just to see what would happen.
LS Team
Thank you! I’ve stopped using the commercial fresheners, and this was quick and easy to mix up! I used lemon/eucalyptus blend + lavender essential oils, and I love the fresh scent. Great idea!
Yay, Julie! That sounds like a lovely combo!
Could this be used as a nighttime pillow spray with different essential oil choices? Or would the vodka be too drying? Maybe you have a different recipe for a nighttime pillow spray for relaxing?
Hey Megan, This will work perfectly!
Thank you so much! We have three lovable, but definitely smelly dogs and we are selling our house, so I found this article just in time. I can’t wait to try it out.
Hey Krista, I’m so glad to hear that! Enjoy!!
Ooh! Can’t wait to make this! I’ve been looking for a recipe for it, and could only find ones that used a fabric softener. I did find one that used vinegar, water, and essential oils and wasn’t too keen on the vinegar smell. :/ But this will work great! 🙂
Hey Bree, Yay, I’m so glad you can use this spray. I’ve been noticing the fabric softener recipes as well…the ingredient choice kind of puzzles me.
Will this deodorize without the essential oils or do the essential oils simply mask the odor?
I just want the deodorize something. I don’t want to trade one smell for another.
Hey Samie, What are you looking to deodorize? Baking soda may be a better option for you if you can vacuum the surface.
I love it! With four big dogs around the house, this will be a lifesaver 🙂
That’s so great, Adrianne! Enjoy!!