Commercial perfumes, scented waters and colognes can be quite expensive products. Since many of them are processed with harmful synthetic chemicals, allergens, endocrine disruptors and irritants, they can also cause a number of harmful health effects. Fortunately, making home scented water is easier than you might think. With numerous fragrances and recipes available, the combinations are endless. Making a scented spray is a simple and fun project that will allow you to save money and take care of your health.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Create a Perfumed Water with Essential Oils
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
Although there are many variations on the theme, most homemade scented sprays are always prepared with the same 4 basic ingredients: one or more essential oils, alcohol, distilled water and glycerin. Contrary to commercially available perfumes and colognes, which are made from synthetic ingredients, these blends are completely natural. To prepare a 250ml scented water you will need:
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- ½ tablespoon of one or more essential oils;
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
Step 2. Mix the alcohol and essential oils
Slowly mix the alcohol and the oil or oils of your choice in a clean container using a spoon. Gently swirl the ingredients around 20 times with the spoon until you get a homogeneous mixture.
- Both isopropyl alcohol and vodka can be used for this recipe. However, isopropyl alcohol has a rather strong smell that many don't like. Instead, the smell of vodka is much more neutral.
- If you'd rather avoid any form of alcohol (some people find it overly harsh or dry the skin), you can substitute witch hazel water.
- The choice of essential oils depends solely and exclusively on your personal taste. You can use a single oil that you particularly love or mix several to obtain different fragrances and personalized blends.
Step 3. Mix the glycerin and water in a separate container
Mix these 2 ingredients using another bowl and a clean spoon. It is not necessary to bang them vigorously. To get a good result, just turn them with the spoon about 15-20 times. Vegetable glycerin can also be excluded if you prefer. However, since it has a binding function for the other ingredients, it is preferable to use it (if possible).
- In addition, the glycerin is moisturizing and allows the spray to last much longer on the skin. If you exclude it, the final product will have a pleasant scent, only it will go away rather quickly.
- Glycerin can also be replaced with a vegetable oil, such as jojoba or olive oil. Just like glycerin, these oils have binding and carrier properties.
- Distilled water is best, but filtered or mineral water will also work fine.
- Replace distilled water with rose or orange blossom water to make the fragrance last even longer. These ingredients intensify the fragrance and nourish the skin.
Step 4. Combine the 2 blends you have prepared
Mix the 2 separate blends by placing them in a new container or pouring the contents of one container into the other. Slowly stir the ingredients for about 60 seconds until you get a single homogeneous mixture.
Step 5. Pour the mixture into a 250ml glass or plastic spray bottle
Help yourself with a funnel if you find that this makes it easier to pour the liquid into the bottle. The container can be new or used, this does not matter. If you have decided to recycle a bottle, disinfect it first to store the mixture in a clean container.
- Dark containers are the most suitable, as even the slightest exposure to light can attenuate the fragrance.
- Plastic bottles are great for storing essential oils diluted in a solution, such as the scented water you made. However, never store pure ones in this type of container. Having a high concentration, essential oils can damage and deteriorate plastics.
Step 6. Keep the scented water in a cool, dry place for 2 weeks
In this time interval the ingredients will blend perfectly, making the essence develop fully. Take the bottle every day and shake it several times to make it easier to combine the ingredients.
After 2 weeks, the spray will be ready to be used
Step 7. Store the spray in a cool, dark place
To keep it unaltered and make it last longer, protect it from extreme temperatures. Do not keep it in the bathroom, as the heat and humidity will cause its molecular structure to break down. Do not store it near a window and do not expose it to sunlight, which will deteriorate.
- Hot and humid environments, such as the bathroom, can also cause bacteria to proliferate inside the bottle, which poses a potential health risk.
- Make sure the bottle is airtight and always close it with the cap after each use.
- The alcohol will evaporate quickly if the spray is exposed to the air, so the product will dry out sooner.
Method 2 of 4: Create a Perfumed Hair Spray
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
To make this scented spray it is possible to use various formulations and recipes, but in principle they all require 3 basic ingredients: pure vanilla extract, one or more essential oils and rose water. Most commercially available products are made with artificial fragrances and harmful chemicals, while this recipe calls for all-natural ingredients, smells great, and isn't bad for your health. To prepare approximately 120ml of spray you will need:
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract;
- 20-25 drops of one or more essential oils;
- 120 ml of rose water;
- One 120ml spray bottle (glass or plastic).
Step 2. Blend the vanilla extract and essential oils
Measure these ingredients and pour them directly into the 120ml bottle. Shake it gently to mix the vanilla extract and essential oils well. Just shake it 15-20 times.
- Combine essential oils as you like. However, if you have doubts and don't know which ones to use, try this blend, which is very pleasantly scented: 3 drops of patchouli, 4 drops of ylang ylang, 3 drops of rosemary, 4 drops of cedar wood, 5 drops of lavender, 4 drops of grapefruit and 4 drops of bergamot.
- You can very well change the doses as you like and exclude the oils you don't like. The important thing is to use 20-25 drops of essential oils in total.
Step 3. Pour rose water directly into the spray bottle
Fill the bowl almost completely, stopping about 3 cm from the rim. Screw the nozzle tight and close it with the cap. Shake it for about 60 seconds, until the ingredients are evenly mixed. At this point the scented spray will be ready to be sprayed on the hair!
- The spray bottle can be new or used, this makes no difference. If you have decided to recycle a bottle, be sure to wash and disinfect it well before continuing.
- Dark bottles are preferable, as even minimal exposure to light can make the fragrance less intense.
Step 4. Spray the spray on your hair after blotting it with a towel
Then, style them as usual to make them beautiful and fragrant. This spray is also great for reviving hair that hasn't been washed for 2 or 3 days. Spray it evenly to freshen them up.
Step 5. Store the scented spray in the fridge
This way you can keep all its properties intact and prevent it from going bad. After using it, immediately put it back in the refrigerator. Make sure the bottle is airtight and close it tightly after each use.
Method 3 of 4: Choose Essential Oils for Perfume
Step 1. Choose oils based on their olfactory family
Those who intend to use essential oils to make perfumes should always start with the classification of fragrances. Here are the main olfactory families: floral, woody, earthy, citrus, oriental and spicy. Oils that belong to the same group tend to marry quite well with each other. The most popular and easy to find essential oils for each category are the following:
- Floral olfactory family: lavender, rose, neroli and jasmine;
- Woody olfactory family: pine and cedar wood;
- Earthy olfactory family: oak moss, vetiver and patchouli;
- Citrus olfactory family: orange, lemon and grapefruit;
- Spicy olfactory family: cloves and cinnamon;
- Oriental olfactory family: ginger and patchouli.
Step 2. Make a floral scented spray by mixing lavender, jasmine and neroli
To get a 250ml spray you will need ½ tablespoon of essential oils, which is roughly 110 drops. Try this recipe for making floral scented water using the formulation illustrated in the first section of the article:
- 40 drops of lavender essential oil;
- 35 drops of neroli essential oil;
- 35 drops of jasmine essential oil;
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
Step 3. Experiment by making custom changes
Once you get used to it, add a bit of creativity and try experimenting with essential oils by using them in different doses. For example, you could modify the recipe from the previous step to make a scented water in which lavender dominates. In this case, use only 2 oils from the same olfactory family, namely that of lavender and neroli.
- Change the dose of lavender and use 70 drops.
- Change the doses of neroli and use 40 drops.
- In total you need to use 110 drops, which is the amount required by the recipe. The doses of the other ingredients should instead be left the same. In this way you can prepare a scented water with different floral notes.
Step 4. Mix oakmoss, vetiver and patchouli to make a scented spray with earthy notes
The original formulation will remain the same, but in this case the predominant olfactory family will be the woody one. Once you get the hang of it, experiment with proportions, just like you did with the floral olfactory family. To start experimenting, try this recipe for a scented spray with woody notes:
- 50 drops of oakmoss essential oil;
- 40 drops of patchouli essential oil;
- 20 drops of vetiver essential oil;
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
Step 5. Blend floral and citrus oils to layer various fragrances for a heterogeneous blend
Some olfactory families marry well with each other. For example, floral and citrus oils belong to 2 categories that can be combined. Using the same recipe as before, you can create a floral and citrus scented spray with energizing properties. Just replace the oils used previously with a blend of lavender and grapefruit. You will need:
- 85 drops of lavender essential oil;
- 25 drops of grapefruit essential oil;
- 10 tablespoons of alcohol;
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water;
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin.
Step 6. Combine multiple heterogeneous and layered blends to obtain a unique fragrance
In addition to the floral and citrus olfactory family, there are many other families that marry well with each other and can be mixed with good results. Use the same formulation as above and refer to these general guidelines to get started mixing various olfactory families:
- Floral blends marry well with oils from the spicy, citrus or woody olfactory family;
- Oriental oils marry well with those of the floral and citrus olfactory families;
- Woody oils usually go well with all olfactory families.
- Experiment. If you try different oils, mix different olfactory families and change the doses, the possibilities will be practically limitless.
Method 4 of 4: Practice Aromatherapy
Step 1. Determine your therapeutic goals
Essential oils have a very pleasant fragrance, but also offer numerous benefits from a mental, physical and emotional point of view. Cultures from all over the world have been using them for millennia precisely for these purposes. When choosing oils to prepare the spray, make sure that the mixture also has therapeutic properties aimed at treating a certain physical or mental disorder.
- Aromatherapy consists of applying an essential oil to obtain a series of benefits from a physical and psychic point of view.
- Inhalation and skin application of certain essential oils are methods of administration that can offer therapeutic benefits with additional benefits for health, personal hygiene and beauty.
Step 2. Select essential oils for aromatherapy
Inhaling certain essential oils can trigger various mental and emotional reactions. You can choose a single oil or mix several to get more benefits. The field of aromatherapy is very vast, but there are oils commonly used for therapeutic purposes:
- Roman chamomile essential oil has calming and effective properties for reducing stress;
- Muscat grass essential oil has properties that can soothe anxiety and promote relaxation;
- Neroli essential oil has an intense scent and antidepressant properties. It also helps relieve stress;
- Patchouli essential oil has properties that can help fight depression;
- Lavender essential oil has properties that can promote calm and relaxation;
- Lemon essential oil has properties that help fight depression and boost energy levels.
Step 3. Opt for essential oils that have therapeutic purposes
The chemicals naturally present in essential oils can be medically and therapeutically beneficial through both skin application and inhalation. There is a wide range of essential oils that are good for your health. However, since some do not have a particularly pleasant scent, not all are suitable for making scented sprays. Fortunately, there are multiple oils that smell good and offer various health benefits at the same time.
- Roman chamomile essential oil has antispasmodic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it can fight insomnia and induce sleep;
- Lavender essential oil can relieve headaches and migraines. Applying it to the skin can soothe less severe skin irritations. It is also effective in fighting insomnia and inducing sleep;
- Muscat grass essential oil can relieve menstrual cramps and labor pains. It is also considered an aphrodisiac;
- Neroli essential oil has antispasmodic properties and can be useful both during pregnancy and during childbirth. It can also help fight postpartum depression;
- Patchouli essential oil calms the nervous system and has anti-inflammatory properties;
- Eucalyptus essential oil has antibacterial properties and can relieve muscle pain. When administered by inhalation, it is effective both for clearing the sinuses and for strengthening the immune system.
Step 4. Use essential oils carefully
As they are highly concentrated, they can have side effects if misused. Consult a doctor before using them if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or suffer from an immunodeficiency disorder. In case of sensitive skin, always try them on a limited area of the epidermis before the actual application.
- Essential oils are too potent to be applied directly to the skin without diluting them first. Some can cause irritation.
- Use the highest quality essential oils possible. Examine the bottle and packaging to make sure it says one of the following: "pure essential oil", "for aromatherapy", "certified organic" and "therapeutic grade".
