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Let’s face it, sometimes life stinks. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting things to smell nice! While there is certainly no shortage of air fresheners crowding the shelves of the big box stores, what’s really lurking in these fragrance sprays?
What's So Wrong with "Fragrance?"
But what exactly is “fragrance!?” That’s the multi-billion dollar question. And shockingly, manufactures don’t have to tell you! In the US, the cosmetic and fragrance industry basically self-regulates the ingredients hidden under the trade secreted veil of “fragrance” with very little external oversight.
In fact, according to research compiled by the environmental health non-profit, Women’s Voices for the Earth, about a third of the more than 4,000 chemicals used in “fragrance” are potentially toxic to humans and the environment!
TheGaurdian.com reports, “These include seven carcinogens, 15 chemicals prohibited from use in cosmetics in the EU and others cited in various international warning lists. Endocrine disrupters, which mimic human hormones, are of particular concern to many researchers and advocates, as they can have effects in the tiniest doses.”
Phthalates are linked to damage to the male reproductive system and artificial “musk” can end up in breast milk. And as anyone with asthma or allergies can attest, artificial fragrance can be a major trigger. (Source)
Yikes!! Ok, so, no thanks. But the good news is that this doesn’t mean we have to choose between poisoning our families and suffering in a cloud of our own stench. We can DIY it, save some money, and skip the super scary stuff.
I’m telling you, this is honestly one of the easiest natural/green swaps you will make. Using only 3 ingredients, that you may already have on hand, you can whip up a customized, all natural, non-toxic DIY “Poo-Pourri” and all purpose stinky spray.
What is "Poo-Pourri"??
If you’ve never seen this product advertised or at the store, Poo-Pourri is a scented spray that you spritz directly onto the toilet water before you do your business. It creates an oily barrier on the surface of the water so that when you drop the kids off at the pool, the stank stays trapped under the water. It’s actually a pretty ingenious idea, and it works pretty well.
But it’s pricey and also…“fragrance.” Fear not, friends, the concept is easy to replicate! When I first made this spray for our home, I was shocked at how well it works.
More Than a Poo Spray
While we do use this spray for its magic toilet stench trapping abilities, it also makes an excellent all purpose room spray or fabric refresher!
What’s In All-Natural Stinky Spray?
You will need:
-
1 part witch hazel*
-
2 parts distilled water (OR water boiled for 5 minutes and then cooled)
-
1-2% dilution of essential oils of your choice
-
A small glass spray bottle
That’s it!! Easy right? Many recipes for this kind of spray use rubbing alcohol or vodka in place of witch hazel. These will also work. The whole purpose of the witch hazel (or alcohol) is to help the essential oils and water combine. But rubbing alcohol isn’t exactly a “non-toxic” ingredient, so I like to use witch hazel, especially since I have very small children running around and grabbing stuff off of my counters.
(P.S. The witch hazel I am using in this video is a cheapy from Target and it does contain some alcohol. Be sure to check your label if you want a completely alcohol-free product.)
You can use whatever essential oils you like, keeping in mind what is appropriate for your family. If you’re new to using oils, don’t feel like you need to go out and buy a whole truck load. For one thing, they are an expensive upfront investment. Start with a bottle or two of something basic and versatile like lavender, lemon, or peppermint. Countless DIY beauty and cleaning recipes can be made with these oils. I love anything with lavender, so I sometimes use it by itself. But it’s great blended with other oils, too.
Here are my favorite combos for DIY “Poo-Pourri”:
- Peppermint + Lavender
- Lemon + Lavender
Whichever essential oils you choose, aim for a dilution of about 1-2%. Here is a handy chart and calculator to take out the guesswork.
And of course the distilled water. For DIY projects, like our homemade Poo-Pourri or liquid hand soap, we always want to use distilled water or water that has been boiled for 5 minutes and cooled. This will kill microorganisms, bacteria, and general nasty stuff that could be lurking in your tap water.
Obviously, we need to put it all together in a container. I recommend a small glass spray bottle. Essential oils degrade plastics over time, so glass is the preferred choice for this. But you could reuse a plastic spray bottle if that is what you’ve got. I kinda think it’s best to just get started clearing the toxins out of your home, one step at a time. So maybe after you try this out and decide it is the easiest/best swap you’ve made, you can upgrade to glass for the long haul.
I keep a 4 oz bottle in my bathroom at home, but the size is up to you. Perhaps you’ve got a lot of poopers in your house, so you need a bigger bottle. Or you might want to get a tiny 2 oz bottle to keep in your bag for going on the go (or that awkwardly placed office bathroom that you share with 15 other folks…) It’s up to you!
How to Make DIY "Poo-Pourri" and Stank Spray
Simply fill your spray bottle ⅓ of the way full with witch hazel, add essential oils, and top it off with distilled water. Give it a little shake, slap a label on it so everyone knows what to do with this magic poo potion, and set it within easy reach of the throne.
To use as a toilet spray, aka homemade“Poo-pourri” aka DIY “Poop Ninja”: Spritz 4-5 times directly onto the surface of the toilet water BEFORE going to the bathroom. For best results, shake before use.
To use as a room and linen spray: Spritz as needed, anywhere odors linger!
I hope this helps you breathe a little easier and steer clear of some of the sneakiest toxins around. Let me know what you think and what your favorite essential oil combos are!
DIY "Poo-Pourri" and Stinky Spray
Let’s face it, sometimes life stinks. But with only 3 ingredients you can whip up an easy, non-toxic, natural bathroom and all purpose stinky spray!
Materials
- 2-3 Tablespoons of witch hazel*
- about 1/3 cup distilled water OR boiled and cooled water
- 30-40 drops of essential oils (lavender, lemon, etc)
Tools
- 4 oz glass spray bottle
Instructions
- Fill spray bottle ⅓ of the way full with witch hazel, about 2-3 Tablespoons.
- Add 30-40 drops of essential oils of your choice.
- Fill to the top with distilled water OR water that has been boiled for 5 minutes and cooled.
- Give it a little shake and you’re good to “go”.
To use as a toilet spray aka DIY “Poo-pourri” aka homemade “Poop Ninja”: Spritz 4-5 times directly onto the surface of the toilet water BEFORE going to the bathroom. For best results, shake before use.
To use as a room or fabric spray: Spritz as needed, anywhere odors linger.
Notes
*Rubbing alcohol or vodka can be used in place of witch hazel.
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Awesome post! Keep up the great work! 🙂
Thanks so much!