How to Make DIY Linen Spray

By
Stephanie White
Stephanie White
Stephanie White is a designer and DIY expert. She has over 10 years of experience teaching and writing about design, art, and do-it-yourself projects. Her work has been featured in such publications as Couch Magazine and Canadian Living.
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Updated on 09/13/22
Reviewed by
Rhea Mehta
Dr. Rhea Mehta, PhD
Reviewed by Rhea Mehta
Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching. 
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DIY linen spray in bottle on white fabric

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 10 - 15 mins
  • Yield: Almost 2 cups of linen spray
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5 to $20

One of the best things about curling up in newly washed sheets is their crisp, clean scent. Yet within a day or two, the smell is often gone. Instead of investing in expensive commercial fabric sprays, you can easily create your own using your favorite scents. Not only is this a very affordable option, but a homemade spray also allows you to control the ingredients and avoid potentially harmful chemicals.

You can use any type of essential oil that you like and create different sprays for different applications. For instance, consider a calming scent, such as lavender, to spray on your bedding just before you go to sleep. Besides using your DIY linen spray on sheets, you also can spritz it on clothes, towels, drapery, and other fabrics in your home to give them a refresh and keep everything smelling clean in between washes. A light spritz should be fine for most types of fabrics, but be sure to test the spray on an inconspicuous spot first.

Before You Begin

If you will be reusing an old spray bottle for this project, make sure to thoroughly wash it. It should not have any lingering odors, as they might mix with your essential oils to create an unpleasant scent. Likewise, the spray bottle should not have any residues that might be harmful when sprayed on fabrics. Consider a glass bottle over plastic, as odors and residues are less likely to seep into the material.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Small funnel
  • Large measuring cup
  • Mixing spoon

Materials

  • 3 ounces unflavored vodka (or rubbing alcohol)
  • 20 drops essential oil of your choice
  • 1 1/2 cups distilled water
  • Small glass or plastic spray bottle (at least 16 oz.)
  • Small label sticker and pen (optional)

Instructions

materials for making linen spray
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

  1. Mix Vodka and Essential Oil

    Pour 3 ounces of vodka into a large measuring cup. If you don't have vodka on hand, you can substitute with rubbing alcohol, which you can find at most drugstores. However, a linen spray made with rubbing alcohol will require more thorough shaking to mix the ingredients each time you want to use it.

    Next, carefully add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil to the measuring cup.

    Tip

    While you can use whatever appeals to you, popular essential oil options for linen spray include rose, lavender, jasmine, and sandalwood. You can include one type of essential oil or mix oils to create a custom scent.

    adding essential oils to a measuring cup with vodka
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

  2. Add Water and Pour Into Spray Bottle

    Add 1 1/2 cups of distilled water to the measuring cup, and thoroughly mix the vodka, oil, and water together using a spoon.

    Unscrew the top of the spray bottle. Then, using the small funnel, pour the vodka, oil, and water mixture into the bottle. Screw the top back onto the bottle.

    adding water to the measuring cup
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

  3. Label the Spray Bottle (Optional)

    It's a good idea to attach a small label sticker to your linen spray bottle, so you don't forget what's inside. Consider writing the recipe you used. That way, you'll easily be able to replicate it in the future.

    Also, write down the date you made the spray. On average, essential oil sprays last around six months to a year. Exposure to light and heat can cause the oils to degrade faster, so it's best to use a tinted bottle and store your spray in a cool, dark spot. If the spray starts to smell off to you, that's when it's time to replace it.

    label maker and glass bottle
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

  4. Shake the Spray Bottle Prior to Use

    Before every use of the linen spray, give a gentle shake to the spray bottle. Then, lightly spray the fabric.

    finished linen spray
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida