Carpet Fresh – ER

Ok, we all know that product that you sprinkle on your carpets and then vacuum up to make your home smell fantabulous. Since I have a real concern with anything that lists fragrances in its ingredients, I’d rather make a carpet freshener myself. That way, I know exactly what’s in it and I won’t worry about the health of my family or my pet. Carpet freshener is super easy to make normally (baking soda + essential oils), but I decided to take it a step further and incorporate some of the mint from my garden. Here’s how:

Simply layer baking soda and mint leaves in a jar, making sure to rub the leaves before you place them inside the jar in order to release the oils. On the last leaf, I dabbed a bit of sweet orange essential oil on it before putting it into the jar. The combination of citrus and mint is wonderful. If you don’t have essential oils, omit them. But please, don’t use fragrances other than essential oils or fresh vegetation. They could be harmful to the health of you and your family.

I put the jar in a dark cupboard and leave it there for a few days, shaking it a few times a day. I then put the mixture through a sifter in order to eliminate the leaves and any clumps. You can then put this in an empty shaker (parmesan cheese shakers work great!) or simply use a spoon. Sprinkle it very lightly on your carpet (make sure to check in a hidden corner first to assure that it does not stain or remove color….it’s never happened to me, but you never know!). Leave it on the carpet for 20 – 30 minutes and vacuum. The scent will not be overwhelming as it can be with commercial fresheners. It will leave a very light fresh scent, making your home smell fresh. As a bonus, mint oil is supposed to be a natural repellent for fleas. Win/Win!

Don’t stop there. Experiment with orange peels, lemon rind, grapefruit peels or any other scent you think you may like. The possibilities are endless!