How do you make homemade air freshener for HVAC?

Having fresh, clean air circulating throughout your home is important for health and comfort. While you can purchase air fresheners and filters for your HVAC system, making your own homemade version is an easy, affordable option. Read on to learn how to make simple HVAC air fresheners using common household ingredients.

What are the benefits of homemade HVAC air fresheners?

There are several advantages to making DIY air fresheners instead of buying commercial products:

• Cost – Homemade fresheners are very inexpensive to put together with common items like baking soda, essential oils, vinegar, etc.
• Customizable scent – You can pick your favorite essential oil smells like lavender, citrus, pine, etc.
• Natural ingredients – Most homemade freshener recipes don’t contain artificial fragrances, harsh chemicals, or masking perfumes.
• Eco-friendly – Using pantry staples to make fresheners reduces plastic waste from buying disposable products.
• Easy to replace – It’s simple to whip up a new batch whenever the scent starts wearing off.

What supplies do you need to make HVAC fresheners?

Gathering a few basic supplies from your pantry and essential oil collection is all you need to get started:

• Baking soda – Helps absorb odors.
• Dryer sheets – Repel dust and distribute fragrance.
• Essential oils – Add pleasant scents like lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, etc.
• Vinegar – Cuts through funky smells.
• Containers – Repurpose jars, bags, or filters to hold the mixtures.
• Cheesecloth, muslin, coffee filters – To make sachets or bundles.

What are some easy HVAC freshener recipes to try?

Here are a few simple, homemade HVAC air freshener ideas you can make in just minutes:

1. Baking Soda and Essential Oil Fresheners

• In a jar, mix 1 cup baking soda with 10-15 drops essential oil. Shake well to distribute the oil.
• Place homemade jars or pour mixture into old spice jars near vents to freshen airflow.
• Can also fill HVAC filters or reusable fabric sheets.

2. Scented Dryer Sheet DIY

• Use plain dryer sheets and lightly spritz with a water/essential oil mixture.
• Place sheets near vents, behind fans, or tape over vents.
• Use relaxing scents like lavender or refreshing ones like citrus.

3. Vinegar-Baking Soda Air Freshener

• Fill a small container with 1⁄4 cup vinegar and 1 Tbsp. baking soda.
• Let fizz and add 5 drops essential oil while foaming.
• Shake bottle to disperse scent when placing in vents.

4. Scented Mason Jar

• Pour 1⁄4 cup baking soda into a mason jar.
• Add 5-8 drops preferred essential oil and stir to mix.
• Punch holes in lid and place near air vents to distribute aroma.

Where should you place homemade HVAC fresheners?

Take advantage of your ventilation system by strategically placing fresheners:

• Air intakes and returns – Near these entry points so scent spreads.
• Vents and grates – Tape pouches to slats or set jars nearby to circulate fragrance.
• Filters – Place drops of oil on disposable filters or fill reusable ones.
• HVAC unit – If accessible, put sachets inside or tape dryer sheets to grates.
• Ductwork – Attach bundles along runs of ducts to distribute smell.

How often should the air fresheners be replaced?

Replace your homemade HVAC fresheners every few weeks or once you notice the strength of the scent starting to fade. Baking soda can last a bit longer than mixtures with essential oils or vinegar. If the scent is still going strong, you can likely leave it for a full month. Fresheners made with paper sheets or fabric will need swapping out more frequently as they absorb odors.

Tips for choosing the best scent

Picking the right air freshener aroma for your HVAC system is a personal decision, but here are some tips:

• Citrus – Grapefruit, lemon, and orange oils have bright, refreshing scents.
• Herbal – Lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint are soothing options.
• Forest – Pine, cedar, and fir oils evoke outdoorsy smells.
• Avoid florals – Extremely fragrant florals can be overwhelming in HVAC systems.
• Use sparingly – Only need a few drops of essential oil to scent a batch.
• Experiment – Try single scents or mixing a few complementary oils.

Conclusion

Installing homemade air fresheners in your HVAC system is a simple, cost-effective way to keep your home’s air smelling fresh. Whip up a baking soda and essential oil mixture, scented dryer sheets, or vinegar botanical bundles to safely scent airflow throughout your house. Place fresheners in vents, ducts, returns, and filters to maximize odor-fighting power. Swap out homemade HVAC fresheners every few weeks to maintain a pleasant fragrance in every room.