Faux Febreze
1 1/2 to 4 tablespoons Ultra Downy Clean Breeze fabric softener
25 ounces water
32 ounces spray bottle, new and clean
Put Downy and water in bottle and spray on furniture, carpeting, pillows, shower curtains, etc. To do a fabric test, spray small amount in an area where it cannot be seen.
I never sprayed this on anything white, but I spray it all over my house, once a week. I found this recipe on recipezaar.com
Another Simple Recipe
1 part fabric softener
1 part baking soda
2 parts water
Put baking soda into boiling water. When baking soda is dissolved, mix in fabric softener. When liquid is cool, put in spray bottle. That's it. To change the scent, just put in a few drops of essential oil such as lavender.
Christine in Quebec
Try a Cheaper Alternative
Wal-Mart offers a cheap alternative; "Fabric Refresher" by Magnum Power. It is 33.8 fluid ounces for $1.27. It smells just as nice and it eliminates odors completely. Plus you get twice the amount of a regular bottle of "Febreze"! My family swears by it!
Using Essential Oils
I use a mix of water, the cheapest vodka I can find (for the alcohol content) and pure essential oils. Take some vodka (about 100ml) and add your favourite essential oil. Citrus oils work well. Mix together extremely well. Add to a spray bottle with about 500ml water. Spray lightly onto soft furnishings. Be sure to test a hidden area first!
Mix in a Little Vinegar
Here is a recipe for fabric freshener spray:
1 cup fabric softener
1 cup white vinegar
2 cups water (or as much as you want to dilute it but I wouldn't go less)
It works wonderfully and you can use whatever scent of the fabric softener you want!
Don't use apple cider vinegar. Also test a small spot (inconspicuous) first to make sure it doesn't leave spots. Make sure every time you spray, you shake the bottle first to mix everything up. When you first spray it on, it has a very small hint of vinegar smell. But as soon as it dries, all you smell is fabric softener. I don't think I would spray anything questionable like silk or leather furniture.
Kim
Explore the Many Possibilities of Essential Oils
Homemade fabric fresheners are very simple to make. You can select either fragrance oils or, my favorite, essential oils. Fill an amber glass bottle with "hot" water. Add 10 drops of either fragrance or essential oil to the bottle and shake it up. Leave it sit for 6 to 8 weeks in a dark area to impart all the nice smells. Using a coffee filter to catch the oil, filter the water and throw away the filter. The nice fragrance will remain in the water. If you are using essential oils, the aroma therapy properties of the oil will be imparted into the water as well. Use essential oils if there are allergies or sickness or if you just plain want a nice, natural scent in your home. Mix and blend different oils for that special blend you particularly like. Citrus oils remove most odors from the home, while floral leaves a light scent. If you want a real woodsy scent, try pine needle scents. There are a whole world of possibilities out there.
I just went shopping at Shop Rite and was going to buy Fabreez that was on sale for $4.59. Right next to it was ShopRite's brand for $1.69. Guess which one I bought? It was the 33 fl. oz. I can afford that.
I was the who asked about fabric refresher and I want to give a public great big thank you for all the money saving ideas you give to all of us.
Thanks a bunch.
You can use the Fauz Febreze recipe for drying clothes too, just spray on a small washcloth and put in dryer with clothes. This way, if you like the name-brand fabric softener such as Downey, by mixing it with water and spraying on a cloth, it will stretch the fabric softener use and save money.
I always dilute Downy by a half - it works just fine.
Thank you - anothertry. I am usually better about posting more often but it has been hectic here.
oh hg, you are doing great by us. dont worry. these ideas are great.
I like these tips, especially the one using essential oils. Some of those Febreze scents are too overpowering to me--as well as being too expensive..
