Many motorists are faced with the problem of unpleasant odor in their cars. In such cases, flavors come to the rescue, the range of which on store shelves is amazing. But how many people think about what is hidden under the beautiful packaging and what harm the most ordinary air freshener can cause to health?
Meanwhile, there is an alternative to store-bought “smells”. Making a car air freshener with your own hands is easy and inexpensive, spending a minimum of time. In addition, this can be a great gift for a car enthusiast you know.
Why you shouldn't buy a air freshener
Of course, the scent of citrus or flowers will hide all unpleasant odors. But at the same time, the person in the car will inhale toxic substances, which can lead to irritation of the mucous membranes.
Besides:
- The air freshener may distract the driver during the trip.
- Store-bought flavors contain a solvent and the substance coumarin. They cause harm to a person when they enter his respiratory tract.
- Young children can sometimes be difficult to keep an eye on. The bright colors and “delicious” smell will definitely attract the child’s attention, and he can taste the “smell.”
- After inhaling odors, the sense of smell may disappear for a while, which is very unpleasant.
- If the air freshener gets on car parts, it can corrode them.
Benefits of a homemade air freshener.
- There is confidence that the air freshener does not contain any toxic substances, since it is made with your own hands.
- A freshener containing essential oils has a beneficial effect on the human nervous system.
- It won't cost much.
- It is possible to change the smell at any time.
The benefits and harms of essential oils
Aromatic oils are obtained from natural raw materials without the addition of dyes, synthetic and artificial components. They have a high penetrating ability, being absorbed through the pores in the skin and the olfactory organs.
Essential oils
Advice!
Before using aromatic oil in car air fresheners, test for individual tolerance by dropping a drop of oil on the crook of your elbow. If after a few hours you do not feel any discomfort or itching, feel free to use this option.
Any aromatic oils have healing properties:
- antioxidant;
- antispasmodic;
- antiseptic;
- antiviral;
- anti-inflammatory;
- affect the emotional state.
With the help of a fragrance made using essential oils, you can successfully regulate the health of various organs and systems of the body, prevent colds, inflammation, and get a boost of vigor and good mood. Many oils are aphrodesiacs and increase sexual function.
Lemon flavor is the most popular and sought after. Its fresh smell leaves no one indifferent. It will be useful for increasing immunity during flu epidemics and colds. Lemon oil lowers blood pressure, normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, regulates fat metabolism, and invigorates.
citrus tree oils have the same properties , but unlike lemon, they have a calming effect and distract attention. Therefore, citrus oils should not be overused in a car.
The aroma of coffee perfectly improves your mood and prevents you from falling asleep while driving.
Tea tree oil will help fight colds, improve immunity, increase mental activity, and help remove toxins from the body.
Geranium oil relieves headaches and heart pain, helps fight fatigue, and eliminates depression.
Bergamot oil helps with respiratory diseases, is an excellent antidepressant and aphrodesiac.
Floral oils - are very good for car "smell . All of them improve your mood and help fight stress.
Separately, it is worth noting santhal oil . It has quite a lot of durability. Its positive effect on the body is very wide - it regulates the functioning of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and hormonal balance. It is universal, which is said to cure all diseases. It should be remembered that santhal is a powerful aphrodesiac.
An excellent choice for flavoring are oils from coniferous trees - fir, pine, spruce, cypress, thuja. They release volatile substances - phytoncides, which successfully fight stress, have a positive effect on the respiratory system, invigorate, and have antibactericidal properties.
with valerian oil in a car, as it has a sedative and hypnotic effect and activates braking mechanisms in the brain.
Lavender oil is also a poor choice for car fragrance as it is soothing and relaxing.
Important!
Do not overuse essential oils, everything is good in moderation! For a good smell, 10-15 drops are enough.
The main disadvantage of some oils is their ability to cause allergies. The second disadvantage is that they quickly disappear. You have to periodically drip fresh oil into the “smell” or make a new one.
Herbs in a bag
This air freshener will look stylish, and it is also very affordable.
- To create such a flavor, you need to take a small piece of fabric. It must be natural. Linen is good for this.
- Cut out rectangles or any other shapes.
- Sew the pieces around the edges.
- Fill them with herbs.
- Show your imagination and design the bags in an original way.
Here's a simple air freshener that anyone can make.
You can put a variety of herbs in the bag: mint, lemon balm, sage, etc., the main thing is that they are dried. The sun will warm the herbs and they will smell stronger.
Instead of herbs, you can put sawdust from wood, smeared with essential oil, in a bag. For example, cedar and fir oils can not only improve the air, but also have a beneficial effect on the human nervous system and elevate his mood.
You can also put cinnamon, vanilla, coffee beans and much more in the bag.
Which scent do you prefer?
If we talk about the simplest option, then you can use any seasonings that you can find in the kitchen as a “stinker”. For example, you can pour a little cumin, cinnamon, vanilla or anise into a linen bag. At the same time, you can combine aromas and select those that have increased volatility.
You can also use whole fresh coffee beans as a filler for the “stink,” which have a lasting effect.
Essential oils are often used in the manufacture of car air fresheners. They are distinguished by their low cost and variety of choice. However, not all of them are suitable for use while driving a vehicle.
You should not purchase essential oils that have a relaxing effect. Inhaling such aromas can easily make you lose concentration. These components include primarily floral aromas. For example, chamomile and jasmine dull the brain, and roses make you sleepy. You should also avoid lavender and vanilla.
It is better to use those essential oils that help invigorate and improve concentration on the road. Such “stinkers” include citrus and pine compounds, as well as liquids with the smell of mint or cinnamon. However, you shouldn’t overdo it with such “attention activators” either, since long-term inhalation of such essential oils can cause migraines or overwork the driver. In this regard, you need to focus on your preferences and characteristics of perception of flavoring agents.
Aroma candle
A scented candle consists of a base (most often paraffin) and essential oils. Many will begin to say that using an aroma candle as a freshener will be harmful, because paraffin is obtained from oil.
But the candle does not have to be lit. Need to:
- Choose your favorite scented candle.
- Cut it into small pieces, or grate it.
- Find a suitable small container.
- Place the candle pieces into it.
- Decorate the container, for example, by wrapping it with twine.
Scent selection
Homemade air fresheners are made from essential oils. In your product, you can combine an aromatic effect with a healing one, since esters are widely used in folk medicine. It is best to buy them in pharmacies or specialty stores. But remember that stores sell many fakes that are made from synthetic components. They will not bring any benefit, and their smell is most often pungent and irritating. Therefore, choose plant-based esters.
The aroma will be with the driver throughout his trips, so it is better to choose invigorating esters.
Christmas tree flavor
The “Herringbone” flavor is known to everyone because it can be found in large quantities in the store. But, as mentioned earlier, store-bought flavors are slowly but harmful to human health.
In this case, you can make a “smell” of this type yourself.
- To make a “smell” you will need a certain fabric. Felt or felt works well. If you don’t have such fabric at home, you can take a regular viscose napkin for cleaning the house.
- Cut out any shape from fabric, it is not necessary to cut out a Christmas tree.
- Make a hole so that the flavor can be hung later.
- Pull a ribbon or thread through the hole.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to the preparation or spritz it with your favorite perfume.
It is important to renew the smell, that is, you need to drip essential oil or spray perfume as it wears off.
Scented candles
If you have scented candles lying around at home, they can also be used to combat car odor. Be sure to use a cup holder for candles - this will ensure safety. Light a candle with your favorite scent and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere inside your car.
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Very affordable fragrance
To prepare it you only need soda, salt, or you can take rice. These products have the ability to absorb moisture as well as unpleasant odors.
- It is better to take not one, but several containers.
- Pour one of the above products into them.
- Add a few drops of aromatic oil.
- Close the container with a lid.
- Shake well.
- Make several holes in the lid so that air from the passenger compartment enters the container.
Place air fresheners in the car. Can be placed under seats, placed in seat pockets, etc.
Cotton wool freshener
It’s also an inexpensive air freshener and doesn’t take much time to prepare.
- To create a freshener you need to take a small bottle. A container made from kinder (“yellow egg”) works well.
- Make several holes in it.
- Place a piece of ordinary cotton wool in the container.
- Soak it with essential oil.
- Hang the container in the car.
A little about the manufacturers
Automotive stores offer a wide range of flavors from global and Chinese manufacturers. The best selling companies are Eikosha, Carmate, Areon, DIAX, MEDO, Car Fresh.
The most popular among motorists are Christmas trees from the American manufacturer Car Fresh. They are inexpensive and can emit pleasant aromas in the car interior for about two weeks.
AQUA BLUE air fresheners are in great demand. They are made from natural ingredients, which are placed in a glass jar. The fragrance perfectly saturates the car interior with marine aromas. Attaches with Velcro to any convenient place.
No less interesting and popular is the company AUTODOC. The series of car fragrances includes several scents:
- Ocean breeze.
- Crystal flower.
- Cool waterfall.
- Green tea.
Among men, these scents are the most common, but women in practice prefer more fruity notes. Interestingly, using the scent of a new car, some car owners pass off an old car as a new car.
It is impossible not to say a few words about Bulgarian. Of course, everyone has come across flavors from this company in a car store. Such models are better in terms of price-quality ratio. Flavors have many fans.
Helium freshener
- Two teaspoons of gelatin should be slowly dissolved in preheated water.
- Add one teaspoon of glycerin to the resulting liquid.
- Add a few drops of essential oil. The number of drops depends on the size of the container in which everything is mixed.
- Pour the liquid into a container with holes made in advance.
- Place the freshener in the refrigerator until the liquid completely freezes.
Making a car air freshener with your own hands is as easy as shelling pears, anyone can do it. The process of creating a freshener is very exciting: you can choose the scent of the future “smell” yourself and design it as you wish.