DIY Febreze With No Fabric Softener
on Jun 24, 2013, Updated Oct 20, 2020
DIY Febreze With No Fabric Softener. Our home has been one that consumes bottles and bottles of Febreze Fabric Enhancer, ha ha! Febreze seems to be one of those items even when using a coupon it is still outrageously expensive. I seen some tips online on how to use Fabric Softener to create DIY Febreze at home. After reading the comments and seeing a trend, I decide to not use the Fabric softener route as it seems to leave a residue behind.
A few weeks back, I received in a trial of the Febreze Unstopables Fresh Scent. The thought immediately popped into mind at giving these a try in making some Homemade Febreze.
I had some who had been sick recently and was going to need to purchase more Febreze as they had my carpets smelling quite stinky ha ha. So, I whipped up this quick and easy batch of DIY Febreze without Fabric Softener. Made with quick handy ingredients, and at a fraction of the cost of normal Febreze and I would be a happy camper.
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Ingredients
1/4 Cup of Downy Unstopables – You can use less but I had some nasty odors lingering
4 Tablespoons of Baking Soda
1 Cup of HOT Water
In a mixing bowl or measuring cup combine all the ingredients and stir. Allow them to dissolve for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. After the 30 minutes, your beads and baking soda should be dissolved. Add your mixture to a spray bottle. My spray bottle is 14 ounces. Then fill the rest of your bottle with water.
After spraying my furniture, rugs and drapes last week I noticed that I had no film or residue left behind and it left everything smelling great. I love knowing that I can whip up a fresh batch on the fly. I did notice that I do not have to use quite as much as I did with real febreze. I lightly misted everything one time vs two times with Febreze. So, this will last much longer for sure.
This DIY project will save me and I’m glad I decided to give it a try. One container of Unstoppables was sale priced at $4.50 and I used a coupon for additional savings. I figured this one container of DIY Febreze will cost me about $0.60 instead of the high Febreze price. But, I REALLY liked the price of my first bottle FREE.
The reason for white residue is this particular “recipe” calls for way too much baking soda. The baking soda is actually what eliminates the oder, however 1 to 1.5 tablespoons is all that’s needed. A great alternative is vinegar. I personally use Downy liquid softner or a few drops of essential oils.
Also to remove lingering orders in the air, place bowls of vinegar in the room overnight. A few drops of fragrance can be added also. It really works.
The baking soda is the actual odor eliminator here. In my experience, whenever I’ve needed to get a smell out of something that can’t be washed, I’ve sprayed it with febreeze, sprinkled with baking soda, let it sit a while, then vacuum. Of course this only works on things like your mattress or a rug, because it will probably leave a residue on anything dark.
Everyone here asking “why the baking soda?” Probably haven’t done much research about eliminating odors.
I used this without the baking soda and it worked perfectly. No white spots or residue.
I’ve been making homemade fabric spray for about 10 years now. I always use a few drops (6 max) of essential oil mixed with about 2 cups of hot water. It works wonders and doesn’t leave any stains or residue on the micro-suede furniture that I have in my living room.
I do suggest doing a test spray in an inconspicuous spot first, like maybe the side or bottom of as cushion?
Using EO eliminates the worries of using a harsh chemical.
I read the comments first and used alcohol instead of baking soda – works fine and smells great – I have SIX large dogs so you can imagine if it works for me it will definitely work for a “normal” household!
I make this as well but without the baking soda. Didn’t really see a need for it and figured it would leave a residue. Let me tell ya, this works a lot better than febreze!
The baking soda clogs the spray bottle and leaves a white film on everything. I just use the beads and hot water. Works great!
I love this stuff… Used 1 TB baking soda, 1 cup boiling water, 1/4 cup Unstopables, and stirred in 1 cup rubbing alcohol for faster evaporation when using. No spots. It works great!
I tried your recipe and like it however I have found that the baking soda leaves white spots on the areas where I sprayed.
WHY NOT PUT THE BEADS IN A CANDLE WARMER AND LET THE SCENT GO THROUGH THE HOUSE?
Why wouldn’t this work with scent oils? A couple of drops would more then likely do it.
This recipe does not work. Stops up the bottle every time. My sister and myself both tried it and came to the same conclusion.
I have been making this for a while now, but we do the hot water, unstoppables beads and 2 caps of rubbing alcohol (to help it dry faster).
Never clogs the sprayer, never leaves a residue, always smells super fresh.
I am wondering if you could add this to plain geletin and make a gel air freshener instead of spraying it.
I have just tried this…. Yes, it smells lovely, but it DOES leave a reside on everything!! Little milky coloured specks all over everywhere I sprayed. Not a good idea at all
my little one peed the bed last night so i had to clean his bed. I used vinegar, gain and water which cleaned it well so it no longer spells like pee but it had some what of a chemical smell to i. So i used this recipe without the baking soda and his bed smells super fresh. BEST idea ever!!!
Needs to be revised. Clogged spray bottle, white baking soda spots all over. Smells divine, though! Will try with less baking soda.
The baking soda did not dissolve, Does it need the baking soda because it clogged my bottle sprayer. Help