I have children.

I have dogs.

I want my house smelling like I have neither.

I love Do-It-Yourself recipes on Pinterest.

I have decided I am going to actually start doing projects that I pin on Pinterest.  I did think I should ease into this and start with something simple like this homemade carpet freshener I found from Mrs. Happy Homemaker's website.  I threw in my own twist on the recipe.  The great thing is, you can find most of the ingredients in the laundry aisle of your local grocery store.

 

What you need:

1 cup of Borax (found with laundry detergent/supposed to kill insects)

Baking Soda and or Corn Meal (I use both together)

 

 

Optional for scent:

Ground Cloves

Nutmeg

Orange essential oil

 

During Christmastime, my mom used to set out a fresh bowl of oranges with whole cloves sticking out of them.  It gave off an amazing holiday scent and that is why I knew the orange essential oil would go great with the cloves and nutmeg.  You can add just essential oil of your choice.  The great thing is, it is up to you and you can make it as wonderful smelling as you want...or not.

 

 

Mix the Borax, baking soda/corn meal, cloves and nutmeg in a bowl.  I use about this much (see below).  Then add your essential oil.  I use as much as the picture shows.  Like I said, use as much or as little as you want, just be careful that the powder mixture doesn't start to clump from the moisture of the essential oils.  Remember, you still want it to be a powder.

 

 

Mix it all together and Voila!  You have custom made carpet freshener.  Like the original post says, you can put this in an empty grated cheese container.  I cheated and saved an empty container from carpet freshener I bought at the store.

 

 

I did see some comments on the original post about Borax being harmful to pets.  I do know that Borax is used to clean clothing and is gentle enough for baby clothing.  I make sure I sweep the mixture up well.  My goal is to do what I do, like use carpet freshener, but try to do it with less chemicals than products from a store.

 

I also made my own laundry soap and I love it!  Check out the blog later this week for that recipe and how to steps!