megandgarr Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hi, This is my first time posting in this section of the forum so please forgive my ignorance. Up until now I have only made tarts/melts and aroma ornies. I would like to make a room spray for personal use only (to spray in the air, on carpet, in my car, etc) but if possible I would like to use homemade and/or store bought products to test and see if I like it before placing an order for a pre-mixed linen/room spray base. I used the search feature but since the results left out a huge chunk of time, I am hoping you all can help me...I found an older recipe which calls for distilled water, witch hazel, FO, and a preservative of choice. Is a preservative necessary if I will only be using this for myself? I dont mind if it is cloudy and I will know to shake before using. If a preservative is necessary, is there something I can buy at the grocery store? Last question, if I only want to make a small 4 oz bottle, can anyone please provide me with the specific amounts that I should use (distilled water, witch hazel, FO, etc)? Thank you all so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Here's one I found:To make, simply mix;4 ounces of Distilled Water2 ounces of Witch Hazeland 1 tablespoon of Scented Oil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Got any vodka? This one uses vodka as the preservative, lol....1 cup vodka. Vodka helps to freshen and preserves the spray, but in a pinch, it’s not necessary. Your house will smell clean even without the alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B@BlissStreet Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Here's one I found:To make, simply mix;4 ounces of Distilled Water2 ounces of Witch Hazeland 1 tablespoon of Scented OilCan I ask where you found this? This recipe just seems like an incredibly high FO load. I'm new to the sprays, and just curious. Thanks,B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Can I ask where you found this? This recipe just seems like an incredibly high FO load. I'm new to the sprays, and just curious. Thanks,BIt was a mom-blog type of thing... I didn't even notice, lol. Sorry, I'm so tired....When I did one, I just used a few drops in a 4 oz bottle and it was plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 (edited) I use witch hazel, alcohol, and water with 1/4-1/2 oz. of FO or EO in a 12 oz. spray bottle. One drop of dishwashing detergent makes it stay mixed mo' better.Play with the ingredients - it's not hard... Two warnings: go easy on the alcohol 'cause it can mar the finish of some furnitureif you wear glasses, don't spray it anywhere around your head 'cause the stuff builds up on your glasses and is a B*TCH to get off...(don't ask me how I know this...) Edited October 19, 2011 by Stella1952 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 THe reason for the preservative is because it's water and without it nasties will grow and rather quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I never had a problem with bacterial growth in mine, but maybe that was because of the alcohol content... I never put it under a microscope, though... Might have been growing stuff I never knew about... The good part is that no one in the household seemed to have any problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallTayl Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Heating and holding the (distilled) water before mixing will help reduce the bacteria, fungus and such, but a broad spectrum preservative is still recommended in any water based spray. I'd sanitize tools used for measuring and mixing too for good measure - even for your own home use.I use perfumers alcohol in my own formulation but still preserve. Just because you can't see the growths yet doesn't mean they're not there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 (edited) I never had a problem with bacterial growth in mine, but maybe that was because of the alcohol content... I never put it under a microscope, though... Might have been growing stuff I never knew about... The good part is that no one in the household seemed to have any problem...The alcohol would be something that helps.Good points Tall! Edited October 19, 2011 by Scented Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megandgarr Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Thanks for the input everyone. Since I have seen many mention the use of Vodka (in other posts as well) should I assume that "alcohol" should be interpreted as the liquor store variety as opposed to rubbing alcohol? I just wanted to make sure I head to the correct section of Wally World.Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Not rubbing alcohol. Most I think probably recommend vodka or everclear. If you ever got around to selling, you can't sell booze in those things. However, there is a perfumer's alcohol out there and a few others. You might take a look at say snowdrift farms and at their perfumery products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in KY Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 I use 91% Alcohol from Walgreen, distilled water and scent. 1/2 and 1/2 water and alcohol and a little scent depending on how strong you like it. Shake before using. I hate the scent of witch hazel so can't bring myself to trying it. I wouldn't worry about a 4 oz bottle of room spray going bad, I'm sure you will use it up in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandyanne Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I use witch hazel, alcohol, and water with 1/4-1/2 oz. of FO or EO in a 12 oz. spray bottle. One drop of dishwashing detergent makes it stay mixed mo' better.Play with the ingredients - it's not hard... Two warnings: go easy on the alcohol 'cause it can mar the finish of some furnitureif you wear glasses, don't spray it anywhere around your head 'cause the stuff builds up on your glasses and is a B*TCH to get off...(don't ask me how I know this...)Does the dish soap make it foam when you shake it up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardLOZ Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 So to add to this discussion. We are using distilled water, preservative, polysorbate20 & FO. No alcohol at this stage. Our base however is a milky white colour, rather than clear. Is this due to not using alcohol / witchazel etc. Not that it really matters too much as it is in a brushed aluminium bottle, however if we ever did decide to go with a clear bottle this would obviously be an issue. So I guess the question is how do you get your sprays looking clear rather than cloudy.CheersRichard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam W Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I use denatured alcohol & FO - stays clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella1952 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 So I guess the question is how do you get your sprays looking clear rather than cloudy.The stuff I make is cloudy, Richard. Does the dish soap make it foam when you shake it up? It doesn't really foam, but the detergent helps it stay mixed longer. I don't used a lot of alcohol because of all the wood furniture, etc., but after reading this thread, I think I will use a little preservative to be on the safe side. I make so little at a time, I have never had an obvious issue, but of course, one can't see germs, so I think I'll err on the side of safety and use the preservative next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauramw71 Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 So to add to this discussion. We are using distilled water, preservative, polysorbate20 & FO. No alcohol at this stage. Our base however is a milky white colour, rather than clear. Is this due to not using alcohol / witchazel etc. Not that it really matters too much as it is in a brushed aluminium bottle, however if we ever did decide to go with a clear bottle this would obviously be an issue. So I guess the question is how do you get your sprays looking clear rather than cloudy.CheersRichardThe poly20 is what is making your spray the milky/cloudy color. For my body sprays, I use an EO/FO modifier I got from WSP. This leaves it clear, but you have to use double the amount of the poly. So I just use the colored bottles for my linen spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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