Natural Air Fresheners For A Pet Friendly Home
For the longest time, always having a large number of dogs, I thought it was inevitable that my house would, well, smell like dogs-haha! But did you know its possible to have a fresh and clean smelling house, even with lots of dogs? I also remember going to the mall and hitting up the candle stores and fragrance aisles, but after using these products, I would always get a headache, and that's when I started digging deep and reading my labels. Yikes! It's scary stuff that's on the market today, and one of the most common myths out there is, that if they sell it in stores, it must be ok. So what's a dog mom supposed to do?
Thankfully, I stumbled upon a natural remedy for making your house smell good that's safe for you and your fur kids. The best part is, not only do they make your house smell good, but they have additional wellness properties too! So what's my favorite way to make my house smell good?!...drum roll....I use essential oils for home fragrance!
Essential oils are nature's gift for a fresh-smelling and healthy home. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts derived from plants. They capture the plant's natural aroma and contain beneficial properties that can enhance our well-being. Unlike synthetic fragrances, they are free from harmful chemicals and can actually benefit your health and the environment. And when it comes to pets, using high-quality, pure essential oils can be a safe and effective way to keep your home smelling fresh, without any negative side effects for you, or your companions.
And now that summer's here, we can also use essential oils to bring the scents of the season indoors. Imagine walking into your home and being greeted by the refreshing aroma of a tropical breeze, with notes of lime filling the air. Or perhaps you prefer the earthy scent of a forest after a summer rain, with hints of cedarwood and pine. Other summer-inspired blends could include the invigorating scent of a citrus orchard, the calming aroma of a lavender field, or the sweet fragrance of a summer garden in full bloom. With essential oils, the possibilities are endless, allowing you to create the perfect summer vibe right in your own home.
And yes, essential oils can be safe for your pets. The two most important safety factors are dilution and quality. You can read more about safely diffusing essential oils in your home by visiting my dedicated blog HERE, but let's touch on it briefly next.
FDA Regulation and Quality Control
Not all essential oils are created equal. It is both science and art that the plants that essential oils come from, are grown, harvested, and then processed for the essential oil. The time of day, age of plant, how it's harvested, and the distillation timeframe, all factor into the quality of the essential oil. Not all companies may take all of the steps necessary for pure and high-quality essential oils.
Essential oils fall under regulation from the FDA in the cosmetic or supplement category and the loopholes in regulation in the industry, such as trade secret laws, where the company does not have to disclose all ingredients on the label, means that some products may not be pure essential oils even though they are sold with the impression of being pure.
This is where greenwashing can also occur, where products are marketed as natural and safe when they may not be. So, what can you do? It's essential to find a company you can trust. Read your labels carefully and look for companies that are transparent about their sourcing and production processes. I invite you to check out my company HERE, where I've personally visited the farms and experienced their transparency firsthand.
Safe Use Of Essential Oils Around Pets
The best way to utilize essential oils as air fresheners is with an ultrasonic diffuser. An ultrasonic diffuser for essential oils works by dispersing the essential oil into a finely diluted mist after you add the essential oils to a water reservoir, helping to maintain their beneficial properties and fill the room with a pleasant aroma.
This dilutes the oil for safe use around pets. Just remember to always leave an out for your animal, like an open door, in case they don't appreciate the aroma as much as you. Birds are also very sensitive, so if birds are present in the home, consult a veterinarian trained in aromatherapy. Essential oils can still be used, but again quality, and then a smaller amount are key considerations.
There are other diffusers on the market, and you can check them out HERE, but the ultrasonic diffuser is my favorite for its ease of use.
Using Essential Oils Without a Diffuser
If you don't have a diffuser, don't worry! You can still enjoy the benefits of essential oils as air fresheners. You can add a few drops of oil to a cotton ball or a small cloth and place it in strategic areas, or use a clothespin to attach the cotton ball to a fan for a gentle diffusion.
Another method is to mix essential oils with distilled water in a spray bottle for a room or linen spray. Head to my blog HERE for more tips on using essential oils without a diffuser.
Six Essential Oils Perfect for Summer
As we look to infuse our homes with the scents of summer, certain essential oils stand out for their bright, uplifting aromas and potential wellness benefits. Here are eight pet friendly essential oils that are perfect for summer:
- Lemon: Known for its fresh, citrusy scent, lemon essential oil is energizing and uplifting. It can help create a clean, invigorating atmosphere in your home, reminiscent of a sunny summer day.
- Lavender: A classic essential oil known for its calming and relaxing properties, lavender is also a great choice for summer. Its soothing aroma can help promote a sense of tranquility, ideal for unwinding after a long day in the sun.
- Peppermint: With its refreshing, minty scent, peppermint essential oil is perfect for hot summer days. It can help cool the body and invigorate the mind, making it a great choice for creating a refreshing atmosphere in your home.
- Eucalyptus: Known for its clean, camphoraceous scent, eucalyptus essential oil is both refreshing and revitalizing. It can help clear the airways and promote easy breathing, making it ideal for summer discomfort.
- Orange: Another citrusy essential oil, orange oil has a sweet, uplifting aroma. It can help boost your mood and create a cheerful atmosphere in your home, perfect for summer gatherings or lazy days by the pool.
- Bergamot: With its bright, citrusy scent, bergamot essential oil is both uplifting and calming. It can help reduce feelings of stress and tension, making it a great choice for creating a relaxing summer retreat in your home.
- Citronella: Citronella essential oil has a fresh, lemony scent that is commonly associated with outdoor use for unwanted pests. Its uplifting aroma can also help create a bright and invigorating atmosphere indoors.
- Palmarosa: Palmarosa essential oil has a floral, rose-like scent with citrus undertones. It can help create a calming and balancing atmosphere, perfect for promoting relaxation during the summer months.
Simply pick an essential oil from the list above and follow the guidelines for your diffuser. Most diffusers work well with 6 drops, but feel free to adjust based on your preference. For a more complex aroma, consider creating essential oil blends for summer.
For example, combining lemon and peppermint not only gives you the happy vibe of lemon but also the refreshing, energetic pick-me-up from peppermint. So, pick a few oils and start experimenting, or try some of my favorite summer essential oil blends below:
- Citrus Splash: 2 drops lemon, 2 drops orange, 2 drops bergamot. - A refreshing and uplifting blend that will brighten your mood and invigorate your senses.
- Tropical Paradise: 2 drops lime, 1 drop citronella, 2 drops bergamot. - Transport yourself to a tropical island with this exotic and fruity blend.
- Minty Freshness: 2 drops peppermint, 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops lemon. - Clear your mind and refresh your senses with this cool and invigorating blend.
- Summer Breeze: 2 drops lavender, 2 drops orange, 2 drops bergamot. - Create a calming and peaceful atmosphere reminiscent of a summer evening breeze.
- Sunshine Bouquet: 2 drops lemon, 2 drops palmarosa, 2 drops orange. - Bring the sunny, uplifting scent of citrus into your home with this cheerful blend.
- Relaxing Retreat: 2 drops lavender, 2 drops bergamot, 2 drops palmarosa. - Unwind and de-stress with this soothing and calming blend.
- Citrus Mint Fusion: 2 drops lemon, 2 drops orange, 2 drops peppermint. - A refreshing and invigorating blend that will awaken your senses and boost your mood.
- Energizing Mix: 2 drops orange, 2 drops peppermint, 2 drops citronella. - Feel energized and refreshed with this uplifting and revitalizing blend.
It's also best practice to follow these general tips for a fresh home:
- Regularly clean and vacuum pet areas to reduce odors.
- Use baking soda to absorb odors in carpets and upholstery.
- Have good trash management. (Tip: Place a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and stash in the bottom of trash cans.)
- Identify and remove other sources of odor like mold or mildew.
- Consider having houseplants as they can help improve indoor air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen. Some plants have a pleasing aroma as well.
- Sometimes your dog may need a bath—let's face it, it's part of pet ownership!
As we soak up the sun and enjoy the longer days of summer, why not bring a touch of the season into your home with the delightful scents of essential oils? Whether you're looking to create a refreshing and energizing atmosphere or a calming and peaceful retreat, there's a blend for every mood and occasion. Natural air fresheners for pet households is possible, and in fact with just a few drops of essential oil, you can transform your living space into a summer paradise, all while enjoying the natural benefits of these plant extracts. And the best part? You can safely make your house smell good without any unwanted side effects!
Ready to create a fresh home with essential oils and enjoy summer scents? Explore a bundle I put together of the high-quality essential oils mentioned in this blog, with a diffuser, to create your own summer oasis. Whether you're looking to energize your mornings or unwind after a long day, essential oils can enhance your home environment naturally. Visit my go to essential oil source HERE to learn more and start diffusing today! By the way, this is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission at no cost to you, thanks for supporting my small business!
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