There is something satisfying about walking into a room that smells fresh and inviting. Whether you love clean linen, soft florals, fresh citrus, or something warm and cozy, a room spray is an easy way to add fragrance to your home.
The good news? You don’t have to spend money on expensive store-bought room sprays. You can make your own DIY room spray and fabric refresher at home with just four ingredients.
This homemade room spray takes only a few minutes to put together, and you can customize it with almost any fragrance oil or essential oil you enjoy.
Even better, the same formula can be used as a fabric refresher on suitable fabrics, making it a handy addition to your homemade cleaning collection.
Why make your own room spray?
- Customize the scent to match your preferences or the season.
- Make a small batch whenever you need it.
- Use a simple four-ingredient formula.
- Save money compared with some store-bought fragrance sprays.
- Refresh the scent of a room without complicated equipment.
Let’s get started!
Watch How to Make DIY Room Spray
Prefer watching a project rather than reading through the instructions? Watch the video tutorial to see how I put this homemade room spray together.
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Ingredients for Homemade Room Spray
You only need four ingredients to make this DIY room spray. Each one has a specific purpose, so let’s take a closer look before mixing everything together.
Distilled Water
Distilled water makes up most of this recipe. I recommend using distilled water rather than tap water because it contains fewer minerals and has a more consistent quality.
Since this is a water-based product, using clean ingredients and equipment is important. However, distilled water is not sterile, which is why a preservative is still necessary.
Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20 is a nonionic solubilizer that helps disperse fragrance oils and essential oils into water.
If you’ve ever added oil to a glass of water, you’ve probably noticed that the oil floats on the surface rather than mixing in. The same thing happens when you try to make a room spray without a solubilizer.
Polysorbate 20 helps incorporate the fragrance into the water so you get a more evenly dispersed spray.
Without it, the fragrance oil can separate and float on top. This can also result in uneven fragrance distribution when spraying.
Fragrance Oil or Essential Oil
This is where you get to customize your room spray!
You can use a fragrance oil or essential oil depending on the scent you want. Fragrance oils offer a wide variety of options, while essential oils provide their own distinctive aromas.
Some fragrance ideas include:
- Lavender for a soft floral scent.
- Lemon for a fresh citrus aroma.
- Eucalyptus and spearmint for a crisp, refreshing scent.
- Vanilla for a warm, comforting fragrance.
- Clean linen for that freshly washed laundry smell.
Make sure the fragrance or essential oil you choose is suitable for the intended use and follow the supplier’s usage recommendations.
Broad-Spectrum Preservative
Because this recipe contains water, you need a broad-spectrum preservative to help protect it against bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Do not skip this ingredient!
Choose a preservative that is compatible with water-based formulations and follow the manufacturer’s recommended usage rate, pH requirements, and temperature guidelines.
For this recipe, I recommend a water-soluble preservative that is suitable for a high-water formulation.
A preservative helps protect your finished product, but it does not make the spray sterile or guarantee shelf life.
DIY Room Spray & Fabric Refresher Recipe
| Ingredient | Percentage | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Distilled water | 95.5% | 9.55 oz |
| Fragrance oil | 2% | 0.200 oz |
| Polysorbate 20 | 2% | 0.200 oz |
| Broad-spectrum, water-soluble preservative | 0.5% | 0.050 oz |
| Total | 100% | 10 oz |
How to Make DIY Room Spray and Fabric Refresher
Making homemade room spray is incredibly simple. You don’t need any special equipment beyond a scale, a mixing container, and a spray bottle.
Step 1: Combine the fragrance and Polysorbate 20
In a small container, weigh your fragrance oil or essential oil and Polysorbate 20.
Mix thoroughly until the two ingredients are combined.
Step 2: Add the preservative
Add your broad-spectrum preservative and mix well.
Make sure you follow the preservative manufacturer’s instructions for incorporating it into your formulation.
Step 3: Add the distilled water
Slowly add the distilled water to your fragrance mixture.
Stir until everything is evenly combined.
Step 4: Bottle your room spray
Transfer your finished room spray into a clean spray bottle using a small funnel.
Label your bottle with the ingredients and date made.
Your homemade room spray is ready to use!
How to Use Your Homemade Room Spray
Give the bottle a shake before use, especially if you notice any separation.
For room use, lightly mist the air, avoiding direct contact with people, pets, food, and surfaces that could be damaged by fragrance.
You can also use this formula as a fabric refresher, but always test it on a small, hidden area first.
Different fabrics can react differently to fragrance oils, and some may develop spots or discoloration.
Avoid spraying directly onto delicate fabrics, leather, silk, or materials that cannot be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
I also recommend allowing sprayed fabrics to dry completely before using them.
A quick safety note: This is a fragranced spray, not a disinfectant or odor-removal treatment. It adds fragrance rather than sanitizing surfaces or eliminating the source of odors.
Tips for Making the Best DIY Room Spray
Use a suitable spray bottle.
A fine-mist spray bottle works well for distributing the product. Choose a bottle that is compatible with fragrance oils.
Don’t skip the solubilizer.
Polysorbate 20 is an important part of this recipe. It helps disperse the fragrance throughout the water instead of allowing it to float on the surface.
Use a suitable preservative.
Water-based homemade products need appropriate preservation. Make sure your preservative is compatible with the formulation and used at the correct rate.
Test before spraying fabrics.
Always test your spray on an inconspicuous area first. This is particularly important with dark, delicate, or expensive fabrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make room spray without Polysorbate 20?
You can make a water-based spray without Polysorbate 20, but the fragrance oil will not properly dissolve in the water. It will separate and float on the surface.
A suitable solubilizer helps distribute the fragrance more evenly throughout the formula.
Can I use essential oils instead of fragrance oils?
Yes! You can substitute an appropriate essential oil for the fragrance oil. Make sure the essential oil is suitable for room spray use and follow its recommended usage guidelines.
Do I need a preservative in homemade room spray?
Yes. This recipe contains a large amount of water, so a suitable broad-spectrum preservative is necessary to help prevent microbial growth.
Can I use this as a fabric refresher?
Yes, on compatible fabrics. Always test a small, hidden area first to check for staining or discoloration. Avoid delicate materials and follow the fabric manufacturer’s care instructions.
How long does homemade room spray last?
This has an estimated shelf life of 6-12 months.
Follow the preservative manufacturer’s guidance and don’t assume that adding a preservative gives the spray an indefinite shelf life. Discard it if you notice changes in appearance, odor, or consistency.
More DIY Projects to Try
If you enjoy making your own household and personal care products, here are a few more projects you might like:
Making your own products at home is a fun way to experiment with different scents and create something that suits your preferences. I hope you enjoy making this simple DIY room spray!
DIY Room Spray & Fabric Refresher
Equipment
- Scale
- Spray bottle
- Funnel
Ingredients
- 9.55 ounce | 95.5% Distilled Water
- .200 ounce | 2% Fragrance Oil
- .200 ounce | 2% Polysorbate 20
- .050 ounce | .5% Broad Spectrum Preservative Make sure it is water soluble
Instructions
- Mix Fragrance Oil and Polysorbate 20 together
- Add preservative and mix thoroughly
- Add to distilled water and mix
- Bottle and enjoy!
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