Easy Homemade Disinfectant Spray For Fabric

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I’ve seen several commercials lately for fabric disinfectant spray that make me cringe.

Why?

Because the ingredients in most fabric sprays are toxic and they do nothing to help your immune system or kill viruses.

You sure don’t want to be spraying it on your face mask because you’ll be inhaling toxins!

DIY Disinfectant spray

According to the Environmental Working Group typical air and fabric freshening sprays contain ingredients that may:

  1. Act as hormone disruptors
  2. Increase your chances of developing asthma in healthy people
  3. Increase your chances of developing cancer 
  4. Irritate your skin

Yikes!

Before I knew better I sprayed Febreeze on everything stinky in my house.

The dog’s bed, smelly shoes, moldy smelling carpets, etc.

Then I got pregnant and learned about toxins.

Fast forward 12 years and I’m using a variety of essential oils to freshen all the stinky things I used to spray Febreeze on.

Fabric spray DIY recipes

Why Use Essential Oils?

After using a diffuser for a while I decided why not look for some recipes to use these oils in that I could spray on stinky things.

Essential oils are known for their ability to kill germs and boost the immune system so why not use them instead of nasty fabric sprays that do nothing but add to your chances of getting ill rather than boosting your health.

Plus, they are cheaper.

Just looking for the recipes?

Skip on past the 9 best oils for spray recipes you can use in your shoes, on your mattress, pillows, couches, and masks!

diy fabric spray recipes

Please note: This information, recipes, and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. These are simply things that have worked for me personally or I’ve researched for myself.

**Toxic-Free Options Without Essential Oils**

If you’re looking for a way to kill germs on surfaces, fabrics, and in the air but don’t want to use essential oils look into these toxic-free options.

Need Essential Oils?

The 2 places I get oils right now are:

  • Isagenix – 50% off plus free shipping when you order on subscription. (cancel it when your oils arrive)
  • Simply Earth Subscription Box – Buy your subscription box at a deep discount with my code AND Simply Earth will send you a $45 gift card to use on your 2nd order placed at their site. Use code STACYRUSSELLFREE at checkout.

Read my Simply Earth review here.

Simply Earth Essential Oils. Grapefruit, Basil, Thyme plus Clean & Fresh Essential Oil

9 Top Essential Oils That May Kill Viruses And Bacteria

These oils can be used in your DIY fabric spray, household cleaners, and diffuser.

Not only will they make things smell better but they may also kill off bacteria and viruses that may cause you to get sick.

1. Tea Tree (Melaleuca) Essential Oil

Has been researched and shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Studies show it may inhibit influenza virus entry into the host cell and can be used as a natural disinfectant to kill germs on surfaces and in the air.

This independent experiment showed that it makes a great cleaner when mixed with castile soap.

2. Frankincense Essential Oil

Because of its antiseptic properties, some studies suggest that Frankincense can kill bacteria and viruses, and support healthy immune function in your overall health.

Simply earth essential oils for stress

3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Just a few drops into the air can help kill germs, relieve cough and clear sinuses.

It has antimicrobial effects against many bacteria, including MRSA, viruses, and fungi.

4. Thyme Essential Oil

The constituents in thyme oil may protect from bacteria. According to the International Journal of Food Microbiology, thyme essential oil is potent enough to inhibit salmonella.

5. Lemon Essential Oil

It is thought that regular use of lemon oil cleaners around the house can help lower the chances of bacterial infections.

According to research, lemon essential oil is strong enough to inhibit the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. 

Essential oil nose rings

6. Peppermint Essential Oil

Showed the best antibacterial activity against C. difficile. C.difficile is a bacterium that thrives in toilets, bathtubs, and other objects that may be in contact with feces.

7. Orange Essential Oil

Studies show the essential oil components of orange peels have antimicrobial activity.

8. Cinnamon Essential Oil 

According to a recent 2018 study cinnamon essential oil and its constituents successfully inhibit bacteria by damaging their cell membrane.

9. Clove Essential Oil

Research shows that E.coli, acne-causing Staph aureus, and pneumonia-causing Pseudomonas aeurignosa are especially sensitive to clove essence.

Fabric Spray Recipes

Best Premade Blends For Germ Fighting

These are 3 premade blends I have personally used in my fabric sprays. If you don’t have essential oils but wish to make your own fabric spray you can buy these blends instead of buying single oils.

  1. Isagenix Defense Shield (get it here – 50% off plus free shipping will show in the cart – order on subscription then cancel it.)
  2. Simply Earth Defender Immune Boost Blend (get it here)

*If you order the subscription box at Simply Earth use code “STACYRUSSELLFREE” to get a $45 rebate on your 2nd order.*

Simply Earth Review and Coupon Code

Your Toxin Exposure Does Matter

If you were like me at first you may not think these household toxins affect your health. But they do.

It may show up as a lack of energy, inability to lose weight, or allergies.

Some of us may not see immediate health issues but at some point, most of us will.

Just imagine what they can do to a growing child!

If that Febreeze commercial is still running then there are many families still using it in their homes.

Related: DIY Lysol Disinfectant Spray

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Easy Homemade Fabric Spray

DIY Homemade Disinfectant Fabric Spray Recipes

To make your own homemade fabric or air freshening spray you’ll need a spray bottle (it’s best to use glass), essential oils, plus ingredients you probably already have in your home.

My favorite essential oils to use are Lemon, Tea Tree, or Frankincense because of their ability to kill germs and I like the way they smell.

If you prefer you can select one of the premade blends I mentioned above to make it even simpler.

Nifty Tip:  If you don’t have a glass spray bottle you can use an old apple cider vinegar bottle plus the sprayer from your glass cleaner.  

Essential Oil DiffuserEssential Oil DiffuserEssential Oil Diffuser

Spray on fabrics to subdue the stink and provide natural immune-building properties for everyone in your home.

Basic Homemade Fabric Refresher Spray Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz Spray Bottle (get it here)
  • Purified or Distilled Water
  • 1 Cup Vinegar or 1 Cup Rubbing Alcohol or 1 Cup Witch Hazel (get it here)
  • 10-24 drops of your Favorite Essential Oil

Directions:

1. Use a funnel to add the liquids to the bottle. Vinegar, vodka, or witch hazel first then fill the rest of the way with water
2. Shake well to combine
3. Add in essential oils
4. Shake well before use

Related: How To Use Essential Oils When Your Travel

Fabric spray recipes

Homemade Mattress Spray Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 8 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
  • 8 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
  • 8 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
  • Witch Hazel
  • Water

Directions:

  • Add oils to 2 oz glass spray bottle
  • Fill the rest of the way with half witch hazel and half water.
  • Shake and spray on the mattress as needed.

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Essential oils for fabric spray

 

 

Refresh Clothes Spray Recipe (& Sports Gear)

This antibacterial cloth spray recipe uses Ho Wood essential oil which I’m just learning about.

The floral and woody-smelling Ho Wood essential oil has become a popular replacement for Rosewood essential oil.

It is used for calming the nerves, supporting the immune system, and aids in muscle aches. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbs distilled water
  • 2 tbs witch hazel
  • 8 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
  • 5 HoWood Essential Oil (get it here)

DIY Homemade Pillow Spray Recipe

Use this spray on your pillows to help you sleep at night. 

If you’ve never tried spraying essential oils on your pillow at night then try Lavender essential oil first. If lavender doesn’t work for you then try this recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ tbsp water
  • ½ tbsp Everclear
  • 10 drops Vetiver Essential Oil
  • 10 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
  • 20 drops Mandarin Essential Oil
  • 2 oz spray bottle

Directions:

  1. Mix water and Everclear in 2 oz bottle.
  2. Add each essential oil.
  3. Shake vigorously to blend.

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DIY Pillow Spray With Essential Oils

Sleepy Pillow Spray Recipe – Premade Blend

Sometimes it’s just as easy to use a premade blend in your DIY sprays.

Simply Earth’s Sleepy Blend smells great and is easy to use. 

If you don’t feel like making the spray just add a few drops to a tissue and leave it near your pillow.

Note: The solubilizer is an all-natural emulsifier that allows the essential oil to evenly disperse within a water-based mixure.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, make a premix by adding essential oils and solubilizer (pausing every 12 drops to stir thoroughly). 
  2. While stirring, slowly add the water to the premix.
  3. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and label.
  4. To use, spray on pillows during your nighttime routine. Breathe deep to support calmness.

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Fabric Spray recipes using essential oils.

Simply Earth Subscription Box Full Of Everything You Need

If you are new to oils or just want to try something different then check out the Simply Earth Subscription Box

Use my code STACYRUSSELLFREE to get a $40 gift card emailed to you after subscribing to your first box (subscription can be canceled anytime) and FREE shipping.

Each box is a $100+ value compared to the big essential oil companies. Plus, you get a FREE Big Bonus Box your first month when you subscribe today.

(you can read my Simply Earth Reviews here)

 

11

Christmas Tree Room And Fabric Spray

You can use this to make your room or fabric smell like Christmas. 
More Christmas blends here

Ingredients:

  • 3 drops Douglas Fir Essential Oil
  • 3 drops White Fir Essential Oil
  • 2 drops Cypress Essential Oil
  • 2 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
  • 1 tbs witch hazel
  • water

Directions:

  1. Add drops to a 1 oz spray bottle.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel, and fill to the top with distilled water.
  3. Shake before using.

Fabric and Room spray with essential oils recipe

What Do You Think?

Will you be making your own fabric spray?

Have another recipe you use? Share it with me.

Keep Reading

Use These Essential Oils As Bug Repellent
Discover Over 100 Uses For Your Essential Oils
Can Essential Oils Help You With Weight Loss

Reader Comments

  1. Terry Lackie says:

    Hi. Are you using your mask spray in leiu of washing masks or are you just refreshing masks during the day of usage before washing?

    1. Stacy Russell says:

      I wash my cloth mask after every use. I bought several different ones and the softest and most comfortable ones I bought at Hobby Lobby. I hate wearing a mask and I usually use a few sprays on the side of my mask to help calm me while wearing it. The nose rings have also come in handy especially during the time I’m in the car before going to the dentist.

  2. Sarah says:

    Wow, thank you for all these recipes! One of my kids has a sensitive stomach, and I’m always calling up my local upholstery cleaner to clean and disinfect my couches. This disinfectant spray would be awesome to have on hand for my couches after any vomit accidents!

  3. Erin Harkes says:

    I tried this fabric spray on one of my pillows for the couch and it smells horrible even after drying! I’m really glad I only did one pillow and not the entire couch! Any suggestions on 1. How to make this pillow smell better and 2. what to use moving forward that doesn’t smell so terrible?

    1. Stacy Russell says:

      Oh man, that stinks. 🙂 I’m not sure which recipe you tried but sometimes depending on if you use alcohol, water, or witch hazel sometimes changes the scent.
      I try to only use oils I know I really love the smell of.
      You could sit the pillow outside in the sun for a few hours to see if that helps the smell go away.

  4. Thanks for publishing this article In this pandemic times of COVID-19, this spray provides safety and safe from life hazards. Not only can it be used for household disinfecting but one can also carry it in their bag. So, everybody should use disinfecting spray. Thanks for everybody.

  5. relxfast says:

    Relx infinify Thank you for the additional information

Comments are closed.