DIY Life

Chemical air fresheners have come under fire in the last few years for containing chemicals called phthalates, which can affect hormones in the body, as well as other potentially dangerous components. Some have even been found to reduce lung capacity, which is one of the reasons we don't use them at our house.

But just because you've decided not to use chemical fragrances doesn't mean that you don't like things to smell pretty. I'll show you how to make a simple, natural air freshener that is chemical-free, as well as inexpensive and easy to make after the break.

Easter is coming up pretty quickly. I love gift giving every single holiday, but it's not the easiest thing in the world to find something that you can craft up to give to an adult.

I love sachet beads, and all the wonderful things you can do with them. And whenever I saw these plastic bunnies and chicks that you would normally fill with candy and toys, I knew exactly what I could do with them.

You can buy pre-scented sachet beads, or the unscented ones in bulk. If you are using the pre-scented, simply fill the plastic animal, and you're done. But if you're like me and like to customize things, you can buy candle or soap fragrance oils to scent the beads.

Just pour some sachet beads into a glass container and add fragrance oil to your liking. I usually eyeball/nose it, so just add however much you prefer. Close the lid on your container, and shake, making sure to coat all of the beads.

Let the beads and oil mixture sit overnight, allowing the beads to absorb the oil.

The next day, fill up your plastic critters! Luckily, the ones I bought have tiny holes pre-drilled into the top, and this allows you to control the amount of scent. If you prefer a lot of scent, just unscrew the top.

I really dislike coming home to a stinky house. When I walk in my front door, I fully expect the air to smell wonderful. After all, I am a stay at home mom, and it is my job to make sure my home smells clean and inviting. If it doesn't smell up to par, you can be sure that lil ole me will suffer a hissy fit, while frantically trying to eliminate the odor.

Remnants of last night's supper, yesterday's dirty diapers and that smelly kitty litter box can all be forgotten by making your own air fresheners. Chrisjob over at Curbly.com has compiled a list of things to do with items you should already have stocked in your fridge and pantry. Vinegar makes a great deodorizer. Citrus peels make your garbage disposal smell wonderful. You can make any room smell good by dabbing a few drops of essential oil on a light bulb.

Chrisjob also offers you links on how to make your own potpourri and how to make your own paper air fresheners. I don't know about you, but I need my home to smell wonderful since I am in it almost 24 hours of every day. Taking the time to make sure my home smells inviting to others certainly makes me feel like I am a decent housekeeper, even if there are dirty dishes in the sink.