herby? flowery? air freshener recipes

[lynda66]

was just thinking i have loads of herbs/flowers in the garden, they smell lovely, and was wondering if anyone has any nice recipes for a home made air freshener

do they last, or go off in a day or 2 or is there some kind of natural preservative you can add ....... darling son works on a toiletries stall on the market and is forever bringing home disgusting smelling air fresheners with damaged boxes and stuff, so my house stinks of varying artificial pongs.

some of these are electric ones, that i could actually refill, for when he stops working there ........ any ideas??

[Scotkat]

Rose petals smell nice when taken indoors .Or lavender there are so many.

Use essensial oils mixed with water and a spray bottle.

[SarzWix]

Found a link for making your own pot pourri, which is a nice way of using your own herbs and flowers.
How to make your own potpourri

I think to refill the air freshener thingies you can use a blend of base oil/essential oil/water, but you have to be really careful - electricity, water, & hot oil has the potential to be combustible

There's some recipes to use in a sprayer here; Air Freshners but they're all made with essential oils rather than garden ingredients.

[zazen999]

I just gather the trimmings from lavender, eucalyptus, any of the smelly herbs such as bergamot, mint, lemon balm etc. tie them together and keep in a vase - they dry out pretty quickly. When the smell goes they get put into the woodburner which releases the last remaining smell. Or, drop essential oil on them, and it soon wafts around.

Don't use any bought air freshener stuff at all. Can't stand the smell of them.

[lynda66]

problem with pot pourri in a bowl and stuff in vases is a bit of a problem with the 5 second rule ......... if it's been there longer than 5 seconds its a cat toy.

but i guess hanging some from the ceiling would work, i was really hoping to use stuff like liquid lemon balm or mint or something, for free rather than buying oils.

[Sue]

Hi
I did make an air freshener using essential oils and I seem to remember the recipe included vodka as a preservative. It was very delicate and smelt wonderful.
Sue

[Polly Fouracre]

Adding ground up orris root will fix the scent of pot pourri.

[SarzWix]

Why not try putting the herbs into fabric pouches of some sort, & sitting them on the radiator? Then if the cat decides to play with it it won't go everywhere! And the warmth from the radiator will help to release the scent from the herbs.

[lynda66]

hmmmmmm but i don't use my central heating, i think i'll just have a go and see if i can get something that smells nice and see what happens ...... been reading about making your own essential oils, but i seem to need a still ...... but i guess i could use it to make vodka afterwards

[Cloud]

Sounds good Pot Pourri you can drink

[tootles]

Beats eating it!
(my father once went to a drinks party and mistook a bowl of pot pourri for a bowl of crisps!!)

[Cloud]

Still at least his breath wouldv'e been fresh!!!

[lynda66]

lol, think i'll leave a bowl lying round for when kids come in having drunk large quantities of alcohol, and have the munchies (i may hide the home made voddy though )