I love my home and my family. But with a teenager, a dog, and a husband under one roof, it doesn’t always smell great.
I tried commercial deodorizers and scented garbage bags to mask kitchen smells, but they often just left the house smelling like chemicals. Fortunately, essential oils came to the rescue.
With a pack of self-stick adhesive felt pads and a few drops of essential oils, I make all-natural, non-toxic essential oil deodorizers that I can place anywhere in the house.
In minutes I can create an assortment of deodorizers to put in shoe bins, trash cans, closets, drawers—anywhere a foul smell might appear.
How to use felt pads and essential oils to freshen and combat odors
Step 1: gather supplies
- self-stick adhesive felt pads
- essential oils — use a single oil or blend several for a custom scent. Some suggested blends follow below.
Step 2: add 3–5 drops of essential oil to each felt pad
Here are suggested single oils and blends to try. Adjust amounts to suit your nose and the size of the space.
- 4 drops lemon essential oil
- 3 drops eucalyptus + 2 drops spearmint
- 2 drops bergamot + 2 drops sweet orange + 1 drop lemon
- 1 drop tea tree (melaleuca) + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop lime
- 1 drop lemongrass + 1 drop lavender + 1 drop eucalyptus
- 3 drops sweet orange + 2 drops peppermint
- 3 drops lemon + 2 drops cypress
- 3 drops sweet orange + 1 drop rosemary + 1 drop clove
- 3 drops lemon + 1 drop clove
- 1 drop tea tree + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop orange
- 1 drop lime + 1 drop sweet orange + 1 drop lemon + 2 drops spearmint
- 1 drop lavender + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop rosemary
- 1 drop lavender + 1 drop cypress + 1 drop tea tree
- 1 drop eucalyptus + 1 drop frankincense + 1 drop lemon
- 3 drops grapefruit + 1 drop frankincense + 1 drop peppermint
- 3 drops tangerine + 1 drop lemon + 1 drop tea tree
- 1 drop lemon + 1 drop peppermint + 1 drop eucalyptus
- 2 drops frankincense + 2 drops cypress + 1 drop ylang ylang
- 1 drop spearmint + 1 drop sweet orange + 1 drop lavender
Step 3: remove the paper backing and stick the felt pads where needed
Tip: Common places to use these deodorizing pads include:
- trash cans
- pantry
- kitchen drawers
- clothes drawers
- shoe bins
- closets
- recycling bins
- cupboards
- storage totes with seasonal decorations
- laundry hampers
Tip: The scent should last several days or longer. When the aroma fades, add a few more drops of essential oil to refresh it. If the pad is stuck to a vertical surface, place a tissue under it to catch any drips. Any saturated tissue can be tucked into a drawer or bin to add scent—waste not, want not.
Where to get supplies
Scotch felt pads and a selection of essential oils are widely available from many retailers and online shops; choose brands you trust.
More DIY deodorizing recipes to keep stinky odors out of your home
- Odor eliminator room spray
- Homemade Poo-Pourri toilet spray (spray the bowl before use to trap odors)
- Stinky shoe spray and deodorizing shoe powder
- Garbage can spray
- Trash can deodorizer tabs
- Essential oil deodorizing pads (stick these felt pads where needed)
- Fabric refresher / linen spray (homemade alternative to commercial fabric fresheners)
- Laundry scent booster
- Seasonal room sprays for spring, summer, fall, winter, and holidays
- Easy 2-ingredient roll-on deodorant and recipes for solid deodorant
- Use essential oils with your vacuum to deodorize carpet
Learn about the best essential oils for deodorizing
Different oils work better for specific odors; experiment to find blends you enjoy and that suit each space.
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Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your medical doctor for medical care.
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