A disinfecting homemade Febreze spray for fabrics. This homemade fabric refresher is effective, natural, and stain-free on all our fabrics!
Tip: you may also be interested in our all-purpose cleaner.
Homemade Febreze (Fabric Refresher)
Now that school is back in session, I notice that I’m worried about the germs my son is tracking in from class.
From his book bag to his shoes, I know he is covered in all sorts of germs. Since he’s just in preschool, his book bag is often thrown at the door, shoes in all directions, and germy hands touch everything before I can even blink!
We also have a newborn in the house, so I’m ultra germ-conscious. I am always washing hands, vacuuming, and cleaning the hard surfaces of my home – but what about fabrics? Enter this homemade Febreze fabric refresher.
Disinfecting Fabrics
I know germs often live on surfaces that we often don’t think about like couches, carpets, clothing, and bags/purses. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of commercials for fabric refreshers and germ killers, but I absolutely cannot handle the scent of commercial cleaners. Not to mention the chemicals! In a few months, my newborn will be crawling and putting everything into his mouth. I don’t want him coming into contact with tons of germs OR chemicals.
Natural Ingredients for Freshening & Disinfecting Fabrics
For this homemade Febreze recipe, I decided to dig deep into some research to make an effective, natural, and safe disinfecting spray for fabrics. I do find that this recipe has been stain-free for my couch, carpet, and other surfaces. But PLEASE test any new recipe in an inconspicuous place before using it on furniture or other delicate surfaces. You never know how certain fabrics will react to any cleaning solution.
The ingredients for this homemade Febreze fabric refresher are natural, non-toxic, and smell wonderful! For more information on the effectiveness of each oil, I recommend readingΒ Β “Biological properties of essential oils: an updated review” Β by B.Β Adorjan and G. Buchbauer.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil disinfects the air and kills a variety of bacteria. It has such a lovely fresh aroma and it is very effective as a cleaner.
Palmarosa Essential Oil
Next, I chose a more obscure oil – palmarosa essential oil for this homemade Febreze fabric refresher. It has a floral, woody, slightly herb-like aroma with antibacterial, antifungal, and airborne antimicrobial properties.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oil
These oilsΒ have great promise for killing common bacteria like influenza and other viruses. (Note: do not use these oils directly on or around children under 10 due to the high 1,8 cineole content which can cause respiratory issues in children under 10. AllowΒ the spray to disperseΒ for 20-30 minutes before introducing children back to the area.)
Other Ingredients
Other ingredients in this homemade Febreze fabric refresher recipe include baking soda and water to help further kill odors and prevent oil stains. I love to combine baking soda and essential oils because I find that baking soda intensifies the aroma of the oils and gives them more powerful deodorizing properties.
Homemade Febreze Fabric Refresher Recipe
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Active Time
- 10 minutes
- Total Time
- 15 minutes
- Servings
- 10 ounces
- Estimated Cost
- $1
Equipment
- 1 spray bottle (preferably dark glass to protect the essential oils, like this one)
Ingredients
- 10 drops palmarosa essential oil
- 30 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- ΒΌ cup baking soda
- 8 ounces distilled water
Instructions
-
Using a funnel, add baking soda to an 8-ounce spray bottle.
-
Fill with water until the bottle is almost full.
-
Shake well to combine.
-
Add in essential oils.
-
Shake well.
To Use
-
Test the fabric before using your homemade Febreze fabric refresher: apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area on each new fabric, allow to dry, then check for stains.
-
Shake well.
-
Spray lightly on carpet, couches, and fabrics.
-
Allow it to dry.
Recipe Video
Notes
Many essential oils are unsafe to use around pets, including tea tree. If you do have pets, remove them from the area and wait 20-30 minutes before re-introducing them to the area. Store the solution away from pets and children.
Made this recipe?
Mention @diynatural or tag it #diynatural!
That’s all! I typically discard this solution after a few weeks and mix a fresh batch.
Did you make this homemade Febreze fabric refresher? Share below!
*******
Karen says
I fervently hope that someone can come up with a way to remove the stench of Febreze – I recently bought a “NWT” purse on Ebay – it came and the package reeked of Febreze on the porch. I struggled through the packing (OMG it was strong) and hung the purse – opened – outside for two days. It still reeked, it is currently sitting in a sealed container with a dishpan of activated charcoal. I hope to be able to use this purse in my lifetime.
ava says
It takes a good month to go away.. but it will.
we stop buying that stuff and went with natural oils to make a lovely spray.
good luck!
becca says
I had the same problem with a car hubby bought. I had tried EVERYTHING! Aired it out, dishes of activated charcoal, you name it…… 6 months later, it still STINKS like they dumped a bottle of febreeze. The kids and I don’t even ride in the car. If you find something that works, please update your post!
Kim Johnson says
I don’t have palmarosa. What’s a sub for that?
Pam says
Does filtered water work as well as distilled?
evelyn says
Does it work on shoes?
Katie Vance says
I honestly haven’t tried, but I bet it might! If you do try, let us know if it worked!
Dawn says
Use one drop of tea tree oil inside each shoe and let dry overnight.
Marty says
Do all the essential oils listed need to be used? Are you sure of the baking soda amount? I am interested in trying this, but want to be sure of the measurements prior. I can not use eucalyptus since I am allergic and that would sort of defeat the purpose.
Katie Vance says
Not all of the essential oils need to be used, though it is most effective when they are all included. You can definitely leave out the Eucalyptus and still have a refreshing, deodorizing spray. If you are uncomfortable using that much baking soda, try adding just a teaspoon at a time until you find the consistency you are comfortable with. 1/4 cup worked well for me, but I didn’t use this spray heavily or on fabrics like microfiber. Remember to always test a patch before spraying all over!
Megan says
Are you sure about the 1/4 a cup baking soda? I tried mixing up a homemade “fabric refresher” with that much 8-12 oz of water and 1/4 a cup of baking soda, and most of the baking soda never dissolved. It just sat on the bottom of the bottle, and made a white chalky mess wherever I sprayed it. 1 tablespoon maybe, or POSSIBLY 2 tablespoons to 8 oz of water.
That is unless I didn’t use enough essential oil, and the essential oils were needed to help the baking soda dissolve some more.(??)
Katie Vance says
Some doesn’t dissolve, but much of this one does. If you shake well before each use, it will shake up what is on the bottom and help the solution to spray more evenly. The essential oils do not help the baking soda dissolve more.
Danielle says
Actually, I have found that vodka/everclear or rubbing alcohol work wonderfully. The smell of the alcohol dissipates very quickly, and can conquer the smell of sweaty males falling asleep on the couch. ; )
Katie Vance says
I’ll have to give that one a try!
Jennifer says
Does the baking soda leave residue on your furniture?
Katie Vance says
Not so far, although I normally do use the vacuum after spraying and letting dry.
Linda Marie says
I heard Tea Tree Oil is harmful to dogs too so follow the rules about not spraying around children 10 and under. Include pets to that. ??β€οΈ??β€οΈ
Bonita says
If you want to use alcohol please use vodka as rubbing alcohol is very toxic. Even the fumes are considered toxic.
Kelly says
EXCESSIVE inhalation of rubbing alcohol can causes headaches, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. So unless you spray it on fabric and stick your nose in it and inhale often, it’s fine. π
We know about these instances because people were huffing it, not using a light spritz around the house. π
Kelly says
I have used straight ru”rubbing alcohol with my essential tial oils added as my spray, and you avoid stains -oil or water- with it. I use it directly on our microfiber couch, and because it’s alcohol and dries so quickly, it doesn’t leave any water marks. (I also use plain rubbing alcohol in large quantities and rub vigorously with a white towel to clean the microfiber couch!)
I spray it on pretty much anything and everything, and if you use Purification essential oil, it helps takes bad odors out!!. π
BEN GREGO says
that sure makes more sense to me than having to round up all those other ingredients……as always, simpler is better!! thanks for sharing!!
Carol says
THANK YOU for a non-Febreze TM substitute. At the doctor’s office I was asked what I was allergic to. In listing allergies, I saw a bottle of Febreze TM on the table. I said THAT gives me a headache immediately (as does Lysol used at a different doctor’s office). I haven’t been able to use scents in years, but bet I can handle some essential oils. Lemon and eucalyptus are lovely.
Katie Vance says
Absolutely! I am also very sensitive, so it’s nice to have a less harsh, more natural solution.