Recipe 5: The Refreshing Deodorizer & Fabric Refresher
Sometimes a room doesn’t need a deep scrub; it just needs a little freshening up. Unpleasant odors can get trapped in carpets, upholstery, and even the air itself. Instead of masking these smells with heavy artificial fragrances, you can neutralize them at the source using simple ingredients. This section offers two easy ways to create non-toxic deodorizers for your home.
Recipe 5A: Dry Deodorizing Powder for Carpets & Rugs
This “dry shampoo” for your carpets uses baking soda’s incredible ability to absorb and neutralize odor-causing acidic molecules.
Ingredients:
1 cup of Baking Soda
Optional: 5-10 drops of a pleasant-smelling essential oil (lavender, lemon, or peppermint are great choices)
Instructions:
Find a clean glass jar with a lid. Pour the baking soda into the jar. If using, add the essential oil drops. Put the lid on tightly and shake the jar vigorously for about 30 seconds to distribute the oil evenly throughout the baking soda. To make it a shaker, you can take the lid off and poke several holes in it with a nail and hammer, or you can simply sprinkle it with a spoon.
How to Use:
Lightly sprinkle the deodorizing powder over your carpets, area rugs, or upholstered furniture. Don’t use too much; a fine, even dusting is all you need. Let the powder sit for at least 15-30 minutes. This gives the baking soda time to absorb the odors. For stronger smells, you can leave it for a few hours. Afterward, vacuum the area thoroughly, making a few slow passes to ensure you pick up all the powder.
Recipe 5B: Deodorizing Fabric & Air Freshener Spray
This spray is perfect for lightly misting fabrics, curtains, or the air to eliminate stale smells and add a hint of natural fragrance.
Ingredients:
1 cup of Distilled Water
1 tablespoon of Baking Soda OR 1 tablespoon of witch hazel/unflavored vodka
10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil
Instructions:
In a clean spray bottle, combine the distilled water and essential oils. If you use essential oils with just water, they won’t mix. You need an ingredient to help them disperse. You have two options: you can dissolve the baking soda in the warm water first, then add the oils, or you can use witch hazel or vodka, which act as an emulsifier to help the oil and water mix. Once all ingredients are in the bottle, shake well to combine. You’ll need to shake it before each use.
How to Use:
Always perform a patch test on a hidden area of any fabric first to ensure it doesn’t cause water spots or discoloration. To use, stand back and lightly mist the spray into the air or onto fabrics from about 12 inches away. It’s great for refreshing a stuffy room, a pet bed, or curtains.
A Note on Pest-Aware Housekeeping
A clean and odor-free home is also less attractive to pests. Good sanitation is the foundation of an approach called Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which focuses on preventing pests before they become a problem. By regularly cleaning up crumbs, eliminating grease, and neutralizing food odors that can attract insects and rodents, you are already practicing IPM. Keeping trash cans clean and using your deodorizing spray inside them can also help. For reliable information on identifying and managing pests, a great resource is the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC).
