1) A decent bottle + sprayer

A good sprayer matters more than most people realise. Weak misters can feel like “the scent is weak” when the spray pattern is just poor.

• Spray cap for DIY bottles
• 100ml amber glass bottle (handy size for testing)

2) Your scent: essential oils or fragrance oils

Both work well in sprays — they just behave differently.

• Essential oils (natural plant extracts; often lighter/airier)
• Fragrance oils (designed for strong, consistent home scent)

3) The base + “helper” ingredients

Your base is what decides whether it separates, how it sprays, and how long it hangs around in the air.

• Water-based: distilled water + solubiliser (and often preservative for storage)
• Alcohol-based: fast-drying, strong “room refresh” style (flammable, so use sensibly)
• Optional helper: Dipropylene Glycol (DPG) can be useful in some blends as a solvent/carrier

For more DIY basics, see: DIY Sprays with Essential and Fragrance Oils.

Option A: Water-based spray (most “natural” feeling)

Water-based sprays feel light and are great for everyday freshening — but they’re the most likely to separate if you skip the solubiliser.

• Best for: linen sprays, light room mists, gentle pillow sprays (adult bedding)
• Needs: a solubiliser to keep oils dispersed
• Storage: if you want it to last, many makers use a preservative designed for water-based products (follow manufacturer guidance)

Tip: if you’re learning, start with small test bottles (100ml). It’s faster to troubleshoot.

Option B: Alcohol-based spray (strong + fast-drying)

Alcohol-based sprays are great when you want that “one spray and the room changes” effect. They also tend to avoid the classic separation issue.

• Best for: room sprays, bathroom sprays, car refresh sprays
• Feels like: lighter mist, faster evaporation
• Important: alcohol is flammable — keep away from flames/heat and avoid spraying near candles

If you’re selling alcohol-based sprays, your safety and labelling requirements become even more important.

Starter scent ranges (good for testing)

• Room sprays: start at 1–3% scent, then adjust
• Linen sprays: start at 0.5–2% scent
• Pillow sprays (adults): start at 0.5–1.5% scent
• Bathroom sprays: start at 2–4% scent

These are sensible starter ranges for DIY testing. If you’re making products for sale, you must use the correct documentation (IFRA/SDS) for your specific fragrance and product type.

Quick conversion (100ml bottle)

Tip: measuring by weight (digital scales) is often more consistent than counting drops.

Solubiliser: what to expect

A solubiliser helps your scent disperse more evenly in water. That’s the big difference between a spray that stays mixed vs one that separates.

• You may still see slight haze with some blends — stability matters more than “perfect clarity”.
• Ratios vary by product and fragrance type, so follow the solubiliser supplier’s guidance and test small.

(If you’re buying DIY ingredients, you can find bottles and supplies in our spray making supplies collection.)

Preservative: the blunt truth (water-based)

If your spray contains water and you want to keep it beyond a short period, you should take preservation seriously. Some maker resources explicitly warn that a water-based room spray without the right preservative system can be unsafe.

• If you’re making for yourself: keep batches small, label them, and don’t store “forever”.
• If you’re making to sell: follow a proper safety/compliance route (see the selling section).

We’re keeping this guide practical, not overwhelming — but we’re also not going to pretend preservation doesn’t matter.

Water-based pillow spray (gentle + light)

Starter formula (100ml bottle):

• Scent: 0.5–1.5%
• Solubiliser: per supplier guidance
• Preservative: follow manufacturer guidance if storing
• Water: top up to 100ml

How to use:

• Mist lightly from a distance.
• Let it dry for a few minutes before lying down.
• Keep windows slightly open if you’re sensitive to scent.

“Calm bedroom” scent directions (simple blends)

• Essential oils: lavender + a touch of frankincense (soft, warm)
• Essential oils: chamomile + lavender (gentle)
• Fragrance oils: soft linen / baby powder style profiles (keep the % low)

Important: if you’re using sprays around babies/children, take a more cautious approach — see: Essential oils around babies & children (UK safety-first).

Alcohol-based bathroom spray (recommended)

• Scent: start 2–4%
• Base: alcohol base (flammable — keep away from flames/heat)

Best scent directions:

• Essential oils: lemon + eucalyptus (clean, sharp)
• Essential oils: tea tree + citrus (fresh, “cleaning vibe”)
• Fragrance oils: fresh laundry / clean cotton style profiles

Don’t claim “kills germs” unless you have evidence and compliant labelling. Keep it framed as “freshens”.

Water-based bathroom spray (only if well-formulated)

Water-based can work, but the bathroom is humid, warm, and small — which is exactly where weak formulas feel disappointing.

• Scent: 2–4% (test and adjust)
• Solubiliser: required for stability
• Preservative: strongly consider if storing

If you’re unsure, start alcohol-based for bathroom sprays. It’s usually the most “predictable”.

Quick car spray (alcohol-based)

• Scent: start 2–3%
• Base: alcohol base

How to use (safer + cleaner):

• Spray into the air away from the driver’s area.
• Avoid spraying pedals, steering wheel, gear stick, or shiny plastics.
• Let it air out for a minute before driving if you used more than a mist.

Car scent directions that usually work

• Essential oils: citrus + peppermint (fresh, bright)
• Essential oils: lemon + rosemary (clean, herbal)
• Fragrance oils: fresh linen / clean cotton (safe “crowd pleaser” direction)

If you’re scent-sensitive, reduce the % and spray less often.

What to do first (most effective fixes)

• Switch base: if water feels weak, try an alcohol-based room spray.
• Improve dispersion: make a proper scent concentrate before adding water.
• Pick “throw-friendly” scents: some fragrance profiles are built to perform in air care.
• Spray technique: aim upwards, let the mist fall, and keep airflow in mind.

What to stop doing (common mistakes)

• Overloading oil: causes separation, staining, clogs, headaches, and “greasy” smell.
• Spraying too close: creates wet patches on fabric and makes scent feel “heavy”.
• No rest time: some blends smell better after 24 hours.
• Not cleaning sprayers: residue builds up and ruins the spray pattern.

Problem: it separates into layers

• Cause: oils aren’t properly solubilised/emulsified.
• Fix: use a solubiliser for water-based sprays, or switch to an alcohol base.
• Also check: oil load is too high for the system.

If you’ve been “shaking every time”, this is usually the exact issue.

Problem: it’s cloudy or milky

• Cause: some solubilisers can create a haze, especially with certain oils.
• Fix: judge stability, not perfection. Rest 24 hours and check for separation.
• If it gets worse: adjust ratios and re-test in a small bottle.

Problem: it smells weak / disappears fast

• Cause: concentration too low, base too “light”, or scent profile too volatile.
• Fix: increase gradually, switch base, or choose a profile designed for throw.
• Reality check: sprays are a quick refresh by nature — they won’t perform like candles or diffusers.

Problem: it stains fabric

• Cause: too much oil, heavy notes, or spraying too close.
• Fix: reduce %; improve solubilising; spray from further away.
• Non-negotiable: patch test on a hidden area first.

Problem: the sprayer clogs or spits

• Cause: oil residue, thick blends, or poor sprayer.
• Fix: reduce oil load; use a better sprayer; rinse/clean the nozzle regularly.
• Tip: strain/filter if you’ve used thick ingredients.

Problem: it irritates your throat or gives headaches

• Cause: overuse, too high concentration, or a sensitive reaction.
• Fix: reduce % dramatically, spray less often, ventilate, or stop.
• If in doubt: avoid use around sensitive people and consult professional advice if symptoms persist.

1) Don’t guess your labelling

If you sell room sprays, the safety and labelling side matters. In the UK, chemicals placed on the market in Great Britain are regulated under GB CLP (classification, labelling and packaging).

Start here: CLP Labels Demystified (Aroma Energy guide).

2) Use IFRA docs properly (especially for fragrance oils)

Fragrance suppliers may provide IFRA documentation to support safe use levels for specific product categories. If you’re formulating products for sale, use the correct documents for the intended use (air care vs skin care are not the same thing).

Keep your claims sensible too — health/medicinal claims have strict rules in the UK.

If you want to DIY

Start with a 100ml test bottle, pick one “clean” scent direction, and use the method above (concentrate first, then water).

If you want it ready-made

If you’d rather skip the experimenting, browse our ready-made sprays. They’re an easy way to enjoy the scents without worrying about separation and storage.