jpg

Essential Oil Car Freshener Recipe [DIY home recipes]

Non-toxic Cleaning | Essential Oils
November 13, 2024•3 min read

Eliminate the "mom car" smell and actually enjoy taking a deep breath with the car windows shut? YES! With these DIY essential oil car freshener recipes, you can have both.

As moms, we spend WAY more time in our cars than we would like to. Why not make your chariot to chauffeur kids around to every corner of the city a place that at least smells nice?

Skip the toxic chemical laden artificial fragrance air fresheners you can get at the gas station. These recipes are free of harmful toxins, easy to make and easy to use!

DIY Essential Oil Car Freshener Recipe #1: Car Spray

Essential Oil Car Spray

This is without a doubt the most effective and incredibly easy to make and use. Point and spray!

What you need:

2oz spray bottle (get it here)

1/4 C distilled water (get it here)

1/4 C rubbing alcohol (get it here)

25 drops essential oils (get some here)

Instructions:

Combine everything together in the spray bottle and shake well before using.

[thrive_leads id='6439']

DIY Essential Oil Car Freshener Recipe #2: Car Oil Diffuser

What you need:

7–8 wool felt balls (get it here)
Thread
Ribbon or twine (get it here)
Essential oils of choice (get some here)

Instructions:

  1. Thread a large sewing needle with enough thread for seven to eight felt balls. Pierce through the center of each wool felt ball until you have enough to make a complete circle.

  2. Knot the thread between the connecting wool felt balls to form a circle.

  3. Cut a length of ribbon or twine long enough to fit over your rearview mirror. Thread it through the circle and tie it off at the top. Cut off any excess twine or ribbon.

  4. Hang your new DIY car oil diffuser in your car.

  5. When you want to change the environment in your car to uplift, energize, or calm you, add a drop of your essential oil of choice to each ball. Get creative and use a few different oils at one time for a unique scent.

Tip: If you don’t want to hang the homemade oil diffuser on your rearview mirror, you can also keep it in your cup holder, or hang it using one of the hanger hooks in back where passengers can enjoy it.

Which essential oils to use?

I prefer to use this combination:

This equals 25 drops to use in the car spray, if using the felt balls, add 1-2 drops of each oil to a different felt ball or mix the combination of oils together and then add 1-2 drops to each felt ball. 

These are other favorites essential oils to use in the car:

Are you interested in getting essential oils into your home? Learn more here.

So fresh and so clean

Go ride in your fresh smelling car now and smile as you inhale freely. No more smelly socks, stale cheerios, or week old wet swimsuit smells. I mean, those things might still be in your car, but you won't smell them anymore!

Happy freshening,

P.S. If you like DIY recipes with essential oils, check out these:

How to Make an Easy DIY Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner

DIY Copycat Burt’s Bees Lip Balm; Easy 4 Ingredient Recipe

All Natural DIY Tea Tree Oil Face Wash (Great for Acne)


Leah Vachani

Leah Vachani

Certified Nutritionist & Menopause Expert, Metabolism Coach

Instagram logo icon
Youtube logo icon
LinkedIn logo icon
Back to Blog

Medical disclaimer

A quick note from me: I'm a certified nutritionist and menopause specialist, but I'm not your doctor — and this podcast isn't a substitute for personalized medical care. The information here is meant to inform and empower you, not replace a conversation with your healthcare provider. Always check in with your team before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle. Take what serves you, leave what doesn't, and trust yourself.

The 5-week coaching program that uses your own real-time glucose data to help women 40+ find the metabolic sweet spot where energy, focus, sleep, and weight finally click. If you have a rising A1C, you've been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, or maybe you want to address weight gain, low or unstable energy, mood swings, cravings and poor sleep...this course is for you!


Includes:

  • Weekly live coaching

  • Meal guides & recipes

  • Habit coaching + tracking

  • Private community

Outcomes:
✔ Weight loss

✔ Stable energy
✔ Fewer cravings
✔ Better sleep

What Metabolic Tests to Request and How to Decode The Results - The Guide

The 5 Numbers Your Doctor Calls "Normal" — But Aren't Optimal

If you've been told your labs look "fine" but you still feel tired, foggy, and not-quite-right, this is for you.

This free guide shows you:

  • The 5 numbers from one fasting blood draw that reveal insulin resistance — often years before standard markers catch it

  • Exactly which tests to request (most doctors won't offer them unless you ask)

  • What "optimal" actually looks like vs. the lab's wide "normal" range

  • The two free calculations (HOMA-IR and triglyceride-to-HDL ratio) most labs never run for you

No guesswork. No fear tactics. Just the numbers that actually tell the truth about your metabolic health.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This information is not intended to replace a one on one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Leah Vachani encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. The entire contents of this document are based upon the opinions of Leah Vachani, unless otherwise noted. *I have teamed up with businesses and products that I love and may receive compensation for products I review on this site at no additional cost to you.

@2026 - All rights reserved.