Cologne As A Car Freshener: Tips And Tricks

There are many ways to make your car smell good, and one of them is to use your favourite cologne as a car freshener. While you could spray the cologne directly into the car, this may not be the best idea as the scent won't last long, and the cologne could damage or stain the upholstery. A more effective solution is to use a luxury car perfume diffuser. To make your own car perfume diffuser, you can follow these steps:

- Cut out the required size and shape from the felt.

- Punch a hole at the top for the yarn with punch pliers.

- Choose your favourite essential oil and sprinkle a few drops on each side.

- Place the yarn in the small hole and hang it on the rearview mirror in your car.

Alternatively, you can use a car cabin air filter. Take it out and spray your desired scent on each side. This should last about a month.

Using a car perfume diffuser

Step 1: Prepare the Diffuser

• Start by unscrewing the lid of the car perfume diffuser.
• Remove the inner stopper from the bottle. This stopper is designed to prevent leaks before use.
• Once the stopper is removed, screw the lid back on securely.

Step 2: Infuse the Lid with Scent

• Tilt the bottle upside down for around 3 to 15 seconds.
• The car perfume diffuser works by allowing the oil to seep into the lid. The wooden material of the lid absorbs the scented oil.
• The fragrance will then be released slowly over time, even after the oil is gone.

Step 3: Hang the Diffuser in Your Car

• Adjust the hanging string to your preferred length.
• Hang the diffuser in your car with the lid pointing upwards. You don't need to keep it tilted for the fragrance to be released.
• Choose a location with good airflow to ensure the scent circulates effectively throughout the car.

Step 4: Refill and Maintenance

• If the fragrance weakens over time, simply repeat the process of tilting the bottle upside down to release more oil into the wooden lid.
• It is recommended to do this no more than once a week and for a few seconds each time. Overdoing it may cause leaks and deplete the oil faster.
• The diffusers work best in warm conditions as the wooden lid expands when infused with oil, and heat helps release the scent.
• Remember to drive with your windows down occasionally to prevent a buildup of strong scents and keep your car well-ventilated.

Spraying perfume on a tree-style air freshener

If you want to use perfume to freshen up your car, you can spray it on a tree-style air freshener. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Source a tree-style air freshener

First, you will need to source a tree-style air freshener. These are designed to hang from your rear-view mirror or under the dashboard. You can buy these cheaply from most car accessory shops or supermarkets.

Step 2: Choose your perfume

Next, you will need to select the perfume you want to use. You can use your favourite perfume or cologne, or you could opt for a more subtle scent. It's best to avoid very strong scents, as these can be overpowering in a small, enclosed space.

Step 3: Spray the perfume

Now it's time to spray the perfume onto the air freshener. Hold the air freshener at arm's length and spray a light mist over the entire surface. You don't want to drench the air freshener, as this can make the scent too strong and cause dripping. Two to three sprays should be enough.

Step 4: Allow the perfume to absorb

Before hanging the air freshener in your car, allow the perfume a few minutes to absorb into the air freshener. This will help the scent last longer and prevent dripping.

Step 5: Hang the air freshener in your car

Once the perfume has been absorbed, you can hang the air freshener in your car. Choose a spot that gets good airflow, such as from the rear-view mirror or under the dashboard. This will help circulate the scent throughout the car.

Step 6: Refresh the scent as needed

As the scent fades, you can remove the air freshener and give it another light spray of perfume. You may find that the air freshener becomes saturated and starts to drip if you apply too much perfume, so be sure to allow the perfume to absorb before hanging, and don't apply too much at once.

Tips:

• If you want to change the scent, you will need to buy a new air freshener.
• Be cautious when using perfume in a confined space, as strong scents can cause headaches or irritate the eyes and throat.
• Avoid spraying perfume directly onto the car's surfaces, as this can be difficult to remove.

Using dryer sheets

Choose the Right Dryer Sheets

Before you start, make sure to pick a fragrance that you like. If you have a family member with a sensitivity to fragrances, opt for a natural solution instead, such as spritzing a cotton ball with a few drops of vanilla extract. Any generic dryer sheets should work, and you can use new or clean used sheets.

Place the Dryer Sheets in Your Car

There are a few different ways to place dryer sheets in your car:

• Put a few sheets under your seats.
• Keep an entire open box of dryer sheets in your car, which makes it easy to grab more sheets as needed.
• Place a new box of dryer sheets under the driver or passenger seat. You can keep the box sealed and poke a couple of holes in the top and sides for a slower release of the scent.

Other Tips

• If you smoke or want to get rid of food odours, you can take a dryer sheet and rub it all over your clothes for a freshly laundered smell.
• Remember to be gentle when using dryer sheets on the exterior of your car to prevent scratching. Make sure the dryer sheet is thoroughly moistened, and rinse well with water after use to prevent any possible damage to your vehicle's finish.
• Dryer sheets can also be used to remove stuck-on bugs and tree sap from your car's surface. Moisten a dryer sheet with water and rub it onto the affected areas. Then, use another dryer sheet to rub off the debris. Remember to rinse the scrubbed areas with water and dry your car with a chamois or terry towel cloth.
• Dryer sheets are also useful for removing pet hair from car seats. Simply rub a dryer sheet over the troublesome areas.

By following these tips, you can use dryer sheets to make your car smell fresh and clean!

Using essential oils

Essential oils are a natural alternative to traditional car fresheners, which often contain harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to health. They are nature's fragrance and deodorizer and also offer a host of health benefits.

Types of DIY Car Fresheners

There are several types of DIY car fresheners that can be used with essential oils. These include:

• Small glass bottles with wooden caps that can be hung from the rearview mirror. The wooden cap acts as a diffuser, slowly evaporating the essential oil and dispersing its scent.
• Felt diffusers, which can be hung from the rearview mirror or placed in a cup holder.
• Spray bottles, which give you full control over the amount of solution dispersed.
• Portable nebulizing diffusers, which can be left in the car or brought in during commutes.

Essential Oil Blends

Different essential oils have different properties and scents, and they can be combined to create a blend that suits your preferences. Here are some popular blends:

• Energy blend: spearmint, peppermint, melissa, tangerine, and rosewood. This blend helps reduce fatigue, stimulates the mind, relieves headaches, and boosts energy.
• Citrus blend: sweet orange, grapefruit, mandarin, and bergamot. These oils put a zingy pep in your step and brighten your demeanor.
• Calming blend: lavender, vetiver, and Roman chamomile. These oils have a soothing and calming effect, helping to relieve anxiety and stress.

DIY Car Freshener Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 ml denatured alcohol or vodka
• 5 ml of your chosen essential oil or blend

Instructions:

• Prepare your chosen diffuser (glass bottle, spray bottle, or felt diffuser). Ensure that your container is clean and dry.
• If using a felt diffuser, cut out three pieces of felt in your desired shape and sew them together. Punch a hole in each piece and tie a string through them.
• Pour the denatured alcohol or vodka into the container.
• Add 5 ml of your chosen essential oil or blend.
• Stir the solution and cover the container.
• Hang your DIY car freshener inside your car, making sure it doesn't obstruct your view.

Your car will now be filled with a pleasant fragrance, and you can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy on the go!

Using baking soda

Mason Jar Air Freshener

You will need:

• A mason jar
• Baking soda
• Essential oils of your choice
• A scrap of cardboard
• Scissors or a hobby knife
• A thumbtack

Steps:

• Remove the lid from the mason jar.
• Cut out a circle in the cardboard by tracing the metal lid.
• Poke a few holes in the cardboard with the thumbtack.
• Fill the jar halfway with baking soda and add 20 drops of your chosen essential oil.
• Close the lid with the cardboard and metal ring, and place it in your car's cup holder or under a seat.

Baking Soda Air Freshener Spray

You will need:

• Baking soda
• Essential oil of your choice
• An empty spray bottle
• Distilled water
• A small bowl or dish
• A spoon

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 5-6 drops of essential oil in a small bowl or dish.
• Mix well with a spoon.
• Carefully spoon the mixture into the empty spray bottle.
• Add distilled water to the bottle and shake well.
• Spray the air freshener in your car as needed.

Baking Soda Carpet Freshener

You will need:

• Baking soda
• Essential oils of your choice
• Dried herbs (optional)
• A glass jar with a lid
• A coffee grinder or blender
• A vacuum cleaner

Steps:

• Grind 2-3 sprigs of dried herbs in a coffee grinder or blender until fine.
• Combine the ground herbs, 1 cup of baking soda, and 30-40 drops of essential oil in a glass jar with a lid.
• Shake the jar well to mix the ingredients.
• Let the mixture sit overnight.
• Sprinkle the freshener lightly over your car's carpet and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
• Vacuum the carpet to remove all traces of the baking soda mixture.

Frequently asked questions