I’m always very flattered when I get emails from my readers with questions about a specific issue they are dealing with at home. Whether it’s a stain that needs removing or an appliance that needs cleaning, I do my best to help out wherever possible! And among those questions I receive, there’s one subject that come up more frequently than almost any other, and it’s not stain removal or appliance cleaning—it’s eliminating odors!
There are a lot of different factors that can cause unpleasant smells around your home. And while I can’t help every single person identify the specific cause of a specific weird smell, I CAN share an idea that can improve the situation for everyone! So today I’ll be showing you how to make your own homemade deodorizer disks. These handy little pucks are so easy to make, and they do a great job of absorbing moisture and eliminating odors.
And the best part about these disks is that you can put them wherever you need them! (For specific ideas on putting these deodorizer disks to work, check out the last section of this post.) These deodorizing disks check all my boxes for a great homemade solution—they’re quick to make, easy to use, and they get the job done!
How To Make Your Own Deodorizer Disks
You’ll need:
2 cups baking soda
1 cup distilled water
3-4 drops lavender and/or lemon essential oil
Silicone mold or muffin pan
Directions:
Add 3 to 4 drops of your chosen essential oil to about 1/2 cup of water. I like the combination of lavender and lemon oils, so I used both.
Pour the scented water into the baking soda and mix well. Continue to add small amounts of water until the mixture forms a very thick paste.
Divide the mixture into the cavities of your silicone mold or muffin tin.
Let the disks dry for 24 to 48 hours until completely hardened. (Mine took about 24 hours, but Utah is extremely dry! So depending on the humidity in your area, it could take longer.)
How To Use Your Deodorizer Disks
Place a deodorizer disk anywhere that could use a little freshening up! (Just make sure to keep them out of reach of pets and children.) Place a deodorizing disk…
- In the bottom of your trash can
- In the bottom of your diaper pail
- Near your cat’s litter box
- In your bathroom
- Under your kitchen sink
- In your fridge
One deodorizing disk should last about one month before it needs to be replaced. And when you’re ready to replace an old disk with a fresh one, you can crumble the old one into your laundry to help eliminate odors there too!
Now go forth and make the world a better-smelling place! :-)
Where would you put a deodorizing disk in your home?
More Ideas You'll Love
P.s. put anywhere you store your footwear, in Gym bag or sport gear
If you are
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When you want to get a smell out of ANYTHING… just use Vinegar!!!
When I first heard about it to use for getting out smells… I tried it in spots where my cat puked (some of them while cleaned still had a little smell, but these were the spots toward the end when she was suffering, old age and really sick)
So Jillee and yourself might want to add some Vinegar to those tabs. I go by the size of the spray bottle I’m using… and depending on what I’m cleaning.. usually I fill the bottle a 1/4 of the way with white vinegar, and for a scent I put a few pieces of Fabreeze Unstoppables in it and fill the rest of the way with water. Though sometimes I do add more than 1/4 of the bottle size (I use this also as a bit of my own version of dry cleaning. (I have a patchwork I made I am ALWAYS using during the summer. Which I use this on and iron it… and therefore my version of dry cleaning (also a leg wedge which is foam and we don’t have our own washer and dryer… so this is great and best done during the summer. I saturate what I can of the leg wedge with it, then let it sit in front of the a/c (or outside) to dry.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If using a muffin tin to make these deodorant discs might I suggest using liners or cooking spray? Because you cannot remove the harden discs without them breaking into a million pieces…lesson learned! I STRONGLY suggest a silicone mold….pops right out! Also did you, on purpose, not include a “search” bar on your site? In any event you have a good thing going…..keep it up!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sorry…..”deodorizer” discs!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wondering where to buy the silicone molds that you use for the sanitizer disks you make.
Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just made a batch of these deodorizer disks. Instead of essential oils, I used some soap fragrance oil – the aroma is Balsam & Cedar Old Version. It’s not at all what I expected, but it’s a lovely earthy scent. This was perfect timing, with spring on the way, but still not able to open all the windows! Thanks, Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Could I use a plastic ice tray?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can! The disks are more likely to crumble that way, which is why I suggest the silicone molds, but and ice cube tray will do the trick :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jilllee,
Love your problem solvers, everyday. I just get lost on your page with your ideas.
I want to make some of these but do they break down in the trash cans or anywhere. Do they crumble after a time?
Tks,
Another faithful reader
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No – these are quite solid and don’t crumble until you forcibly break them or drop them :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This might be a dumb question, but when you put it in the washing machine do you just run it alone on a clean cycle or do you run it with a load of clothes? I know baking soda wouldn’t harm clothes but the oils might stain them? Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can go either way! The oils won’t stain your clothes when added this way – they would if you dropped the oil straight into the washing machine, though. The baking soda is great for the clothes, but you can also just run a “cleaning cycle” with just the baking soda disk :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Could I use vanilla extract instead of essential oils?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Janice: it should work for a while, but extract is not as potent as fragrance or essential oils and using essential oils have medicinal effects for you too (Lavender is calming, lemon is invigorating.)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure! About 1/2 teaspoon should do the trick! It will smell great at first, but will probably loose it’s scent pretty quickly. It will still be absorbing odors, though! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OMGosh! Genius! Can’t wait to try this. I have a question: I’ve heard that peppermint oil deters spiders from taking up residence in one’s home. I’ve been putting peppermint EO soaked cotton balls around the house but that evaporates quickly so I cant tell if it works or not and I still get spiders. Would this baking soda patty work as a spider deterrent if mixed with peppermint EO?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This should work as a deterrent too…mice don’t like the scent of peppermint either!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How do I get my stainless steel sink clean and shiny?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Try using Barkeeper’s Friend! http://bit.ly/2WNvhsr
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Barkeeper’s Friend is incredible on stainless steel and counter tops!!
How do you get cat pee out of concrete in the basement? When its humid, we can still smell it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can’t remember the name of it, but they do make a spray for targeting this. I had to use it near the end because my cat had problems with going just outside her litter box. Looking back- Im sure it was probably due to. old age and arthritis. She lived to be 15 years old.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We kept the litter box in the garage. I know all about humidity. It makes stuff smell worse in hot weather.
Pour some white vinegar over the spot, then sprinkle baking soda over the top. Add a bit more vinegar if you need, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Then scrub the area with the baking soda paste – you should be odor-free! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I worked for a veterinarian for many years. Cat pee is tough, but equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and minty mouthwash works fairly well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sounds like a great idea! Now, tell us how to get the smell out of blue jeans! (even after they’ve been washed, they sometimes smell funny)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks!
During the rinse cycle, add about 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What is that adorable little dish you have your disk on in some of the photos?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s from Michaels!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi, the recipe says one cup of distilled water but the directions say add drops to one half cup of distilled water. Did I miss something?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you!
Sorry, I went back and read it again. I see you start with half a cup then add additional water as needed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ugh, I just did the same thing and used 1 Cup of distilled water! :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used lemongrass and rosemary. It smells wonderful.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sounds wonderful!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used lemongrass too. It smells so good in here!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t have silicon molds large enough for this application, so I used some of those tiny 4 oz mason jars & will use my decorative lids on them. That way I an seal the unused jars with a regular lid to keep them fresh until I’m ready to replace the jars I have out. Thanks Jillee!!
These are the type lids I have. https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Aspen-Mason-Lids-Flower/dp/B00OUSCQJG/ref=sr_1_15_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549386562&sr=8-15&keywords=decorative+mason+jar+lids
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s a great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wish I had thought of that before putting them in a plain, old muffin tin! Lol
Oops! I didn’t read the other comments. But I still think you are terrific.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jill–
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is another of your great ideas. Thanks so much. But why distilled water? We have spring water without additives and I admit to being a bit lazy about rushing out to purchase bottled water.
This sounds very doable and repeatable. Thanks. One question: why distilled water? Can’t I just use filtered water from the tap? Will it make that much difference? I don’t have distilled water on hand usually but I always have baking soda and tap water.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use distilled water in many of my homemade cleaners because it’s free of minerals. I have very hard water, and the mineral content can sometimes even clog up a spray bottle or leave behind a residue. However, with these, tap water should work just fine! Let me know how they turn out :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do not have either of those essential oils, but can I use something like Tea-Tree oil instead? I happen to LOVE the smell of it anyway but keep it on hand for other uses
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would think that Tea Tree oil would work with this, espcially since it is great for cleaning and getting rid of germs! To me, it sounds like the essential oil is just for fragrance and to help cover/remove other odors so I wouldn’t think there would be any issues as long as you don’t have cats that could interact with the disks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope, no cats, just a dog that is too small to get to where I am going to put this.
Sounds good to me! I hope that it goes well for you and you’re quite welcome! :D
Forgot to say thanks.
If you like the smell of it, go right ahead!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just wanted to add that tea tree is also toxic to dogs. Adding it to these disks won’t harm your fur-baby, but if ingested or inhaled it can cause all sorts of problems. As long as your sweet baby can’t get to the disk it will be just fine, but never diffuse tea tree oil because dogs & cats shouldn’t inhale it either. It can cause seizures, among other issues. Oddly, you can use tea tree topically on your dog as long as it isn’t licking where you applied it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is there a way to print your recipes and instructions?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Of course! There is a large, green print button towards the bottom of the post (but before the comments). Click here to learn how to use it: http://jillee.co/printfriendly :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I make these little disks as well, but depending on where they are located, I just refresh them occasionally with a few more drops of essential oil instead of making new ones.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used to make my own deodorizer when I had my Cat. I would just use 1 cup baking soda and mix in 15 drops lavender or other esssential oils and mix it up. I would just put it directly on the box liner after changing the litter box. It worked .When my Cat used her box scratching with her paws would activate the scent. Much cheaper than buying the stuff for 3.00. I used always put an odor deodorizer in the garage near the litter box. It really helps. I love the homemade deodorizer disk idea.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.While that may have helped to reduce odors, there aren’t any essential oils that are safe for use around cats. (Also, while dogs are slightly different and are fine with some oils you would always want to check what the recommendation is around them because there are some oils that are very toxic for dogs still.) They are not safe for cats because their bodies don’t process oils the same way that ours does. I have three cats and I hardly every use my oils around them! I only use them in products that they won’t have much contact with, like skin care or cleaning products, or I diffuse them when the cats are kept in another part of the house. Some people say that their cats are fine with a few oils, but I would never want to test if they are okay with them by putting my cats at a risk of death! If you have cats and would still like the benefits of essential oils around your house then try hydrosols! They are the water based portion that is extracted when making essential oils. They are safe for cats and dogs! While the smell may differ slightly from the essential oil, they do share a lot of the same benefits just in a bit less potency. Some do smell slightly different from the essential oil counter part, but they are also much cheaper!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Christy! I would suggest just plain baking soda for this application. You generally don’t want to use essential oils that close to your pets, especially cats. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A little too late now., When I used to do this it only said not to use certain oils. Crazy how people keep changing their minds about this stuff.
Christym People don’t necessarily change their minds about stuff; they just know more than they did back in the day so attitudes and behaviours adjust accordingly. As advances are made in (for example) the medical field we learn more about how the environment we live in affects not only us but also every other living thing that shares that environment. Simply put, as a society we know more today than we knew 10-20 years ago and that is a fact.
Would advise using lemongrass essential oil instead of lemon or lavender if you have cats. Many essential oils cause kidney failure in cats including lavender and lemon oil. Lemongrass does not. If you have pets, be sure to research which essential oils are safe to use around them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree . Also the lemon type smells can make the cats avoid the litter box. I didn’t really have any problems with my cat until the end. Her issues were more with getting older and arthritis.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have not heard this about lemongrass. In Essential Oil Profiles by Lea Jacobson (a certified clinical aromatherapist) she discusses the risks of using essential oils with cats and states that it is recommended to never use any of them them around cats, instead choosing to use hydrosols which are very safe and beneficial for cats. She also lists a few specific oils to especially avoid around cats and in that list there is Lavender and Lemon, along with Bergamot, Clove, Eucalyptus, Fir, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, Lime, Orange, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Spearmint, Tangerine, and Tea Tree. These are broken down by the species or chemotype in the book so that there is less confusion, but I thought I’d use the basic names for simplicity here.
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