Carpet Fragrancing: How Much To Use And Why

There are many different carpet fragrances available, from cleaning-inspired scents to seasonal fragrances. The amount of fragrance you use depends on the type of oil you choose, as each oil has a different density. For example, 10ml of fragrance oil can weigh between 8g and 15g. If you use a fragrance oil at 2% and find that the mixture is too wet, this could mean that the fragrance oil is too heavy for the base. You can add more sodium bicarbonate until the mixture appears smooth and dry.

How to make a scented carpet freshener at home

There is no right or wrong fragrance to use for a carpet freshener, but it's important to remember that each oil has a different density, so it's best to weigh your oil and base in grams. You can use a shaker bottle or food-grade resealable paper bags to store your freshener, but be aware that too much powder may come out when shaken.

To make a scented carpet freshener at home, you can use fragrance oils or essential oils. If you use a fragrance oil at 2% and the mixture is too wet, this means the oil is too heavy for the base, so you should reduce the percentage to 1%. You can also use essential oils, but be aware that if they have a natural colour, this could seep into your carpet over time. Lighter, clearer essential oils are a better option, and lemon and citrus fresh are good choices.

Once you've chosen your oil, simply add it to sodium bicarbonate until the mixture appears smooth and dry. Transfer your freshener to your chosen packaging and allow it to sit for a few days to dry out fully. Remember to give the powder a good shake before each use to break up any clumps.

How to choose the right fragrance

There is no right or wrong fragrance to use on your carpet, it's entirely down to personal choice. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing a fragrance. Firstly, you might want to opt for a cleaning-inspired fragrance to complement your cleaning regime, such as FloZora Linen Fresh or Fab Spring Blossom. Alternatively, you could choose a seasonal fragrance, such as Jasmine for Spring, Very Berry for Summer, Pumpkin for Autumn or Mulberry for Winter.

If you're making your own carpet freshener, it's important to remember to weigh your oil and base in grams as each oil's individual densities cause them to weigh more or less than their millilitre quantity. For example, 10ml of fragrance oil could weigh as little as 8g or as much as 15g. If you use a fragrance oil that is too heavy for the base, the mixture may be too wet. In this case, you can add more sodium bicarbonate until the mixture appears smooth and dry, and then reduce the percentage of fragrance oil to 1% next time.

When using essential oils, it's best to opt for lighter, clearer options as these are less likely to leave a visible residue on your carpet over time. Lemon and citrus fresh are good choices. It's also important not to use too much essential oil, as this could seep through your carpet and get under the carpet padding.

Finally, consider the packaging you will use for your carpet freshener. Shaker bottles are a good option as they are easy to use and the powder is dispersed as it is shaken lightly over the carpet. Food-grade resealable paper bags are another option, but be aware that too much powder may come out when shaken.

How to use a shaker bottle

Shaker bottles are a great way to disperse carpet freshener. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use one:

• First, you will need to make your carpet freshener. There are many recipes available online, but the general consensus is to use a base of sodium bicarbonate and fragrance oil. The fragrance oil you use is entirely up to you, but be aware that each oil's individual density will cause it to weigh more or less than its millilitre quantity, so it is best to weigh your oil and base in grams.
• Once you have combined your ingredients, transfer the mixture to your shaker bottle. You can use it straight away, but it is recommended that you allow it to sit for a few days to dry out fully.
• Before each use, give the powder a good shake to break up any clumps that may have formed.
• Pop the top on the sprinkle side of the shaker bottle and lightly shake the powder over your carpet.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Be careful not to use too much essential oil, as this could seep through your carpet and get under the carpet padding.
• If you find that your mixture is too wet, this could mean that the fragrance oil is too heavy for the base. Try reducing the percentage of fragrance oil in your mixture.
• There are other packaging options available for carpet freshener, such as food-grade resealable paper bags, but shaker bottles are much easier to use and help to control the amount of powder that is dispersed.

How to weigh fragrance oil

When making a carpet freshener, there is no right or wrong fragrance to use. It is entirely down to personal choice. However, it is important to remember to weigh your oil and base in grams, as each oil's individual densities cause them to weigh more or less than their millilitre quantity. For example, 10ml of fragrance oil could weigh as little as 8g or as much as 15g. If you find that your mixture is too wet after combining, this could mean that the fragrance oil is too heavy for the base.

To weigh fragrance oil, it is recommended to use a percentage because you are guaranteed to always get the same results. Most waxes have a 10% maximum fragrance load or approximately 1.6 oz. per pound. A typical amount is about 6% or 1 ounce per pound. Be sure to check the product page for the wax you will be using to find out the maximum fragrance percentage that it can hold. You will need a set of sensitive high-accuracy digital scales. Use a candle and soap scale for weighing your fragrance oil.

When making a large batch of wax, take the entire amount and multiply it by the percent of fragrance you're adding. For example, if you're making eight 8-ounce candles, multiply 8x8=64 oz of wax. Then 64 x 6% = 3.84. You could round that up to 4 ounces of fragrance oil for 64 ounces of wax.

Only when your wax has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and pour in your fragrance, stirring gently.

How to avoid excess fragrance oil seeping through your carpet

To avoid excess fragrance oil seeping through your carpet, it's important to remember that each oil has a different density, so it's best to weigh your oil and base in grams. For example, 10ml of fragrance oil could weigh as little as 8g or as much as 15g. If you find that your mixture is too wet after combining, this could mean that the fragrance oil is too heavy for the base. In this case, simply add more sodium bicarbonate until the mixture appears smooth and dry. You can then reduce the percentage of fragrance oil to 1% next time.

It's also worth noting that using an essential oil that naturally has a colour could, over time, leave enough colour in a lighter carpet that it becomes visible. Therefore, it's best to use lighter, clearer essential oil options such as lemon or citrus fresh.

There are two types of packaging that are better for carpet fresheners: shaker bottles, which are much easier to use, or food-grade resealable paper bags, although you may find that too much powder comes out when shaken. For this tutorial, we’ve opted to use a 500g shaker bottle. Once the carpet freshener is fully combined and has been transferred to your shaker bottle or resealable bag, it can be used straight away, although we would recommend allowing it to sit for a few days to dry out fully. Just remember to give the powder a good shake before each use to break up any clumps that may have formed.

Frequently asked questions