Lena Savoie
When making a room spray, you may come across recipes that include either alcohol or witch hazel. Both ingredients are used to emulsify essential oils with water, preventing the growth of bacteria and other microbes. However, witch hazel is not a true emulsifier, so it is better to use alcohol, preferably a high-proof grain alcohol such as Everclear or vodka. The alcohol also acts as a preservative, preventing the growth of mold and other microorganisms, and helps to carry and disperse the scent molecules into the air. If you are set on using witch hazel, it is recommended to also use a broad-spectrum preservative to prevent bacterial growth.
Characteristics and Values of Alcohol and Witch Hazel for Room Spray
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Alcohol is used as a preservative to prevent mold or bacteria. It also helps to dilute and mix essential oils. Witch hazel is used to help mix essential oils with water. |
| Effectiveness | Alcohol is a better emulsifier than witch hazel. Witch hazel may not be sufficient to disperse essential oils in water and may not act as an adequate preservative. |
| Alternatives | Witch hazel can be used instead of alcohol, but not in combination with it. Polysorbate 20 or 80 can also be used as an alternative to both alcohol and witch hazel. |
| Recommendations | Formulation expert Ginger L. Moore recommends a formula of 25% high-proof alcohol to 75% distilled water for room sprays. |
| Health Concerns | It is not advisable to breathe in petroleum distillates; instead, use grain alcohol. Bacterial growth can occur in water-based sprays, so preservatives or refrigeration are necessary. |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol is a preservative that prevents mould and bacteria
When making a room spray, it is important to use a high-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear, which has a grain alcohol content of 95% or 190 proof. This is because cheap vodka or ethanol will not be sufficient to act as a preservative or emulsifier. Formulation expert Ginger L. Moore recommends a formula of 25% high-proof alcohol to 75% distilled water for room sprays.
Witch hazel, often used in homemade beauty treatments, can be used in place of alcohol in room spray recipes. It helps to emulsify the oils in the water, but it is not a true emulsifier. Therefore, it is generally better to use alcohol, especially if you want your room spray to have a longer shelf life.
If you are set on making a preservative-free room spray, it is recommended to make a small batch, refrigerate it, and use it within a couple of days. This is because bacteria can start to grow very quickly in a water-based spray—as soon as two or three days.
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Witch hazel helps mix essential oils with water
When making a room spray with essential oils and water, you may want to include an additional ingredient to help the oil and water mix together. While some recipes call for alcohol, witch hazel can be used instead. Witch hazel acts as an emulsifier, helping to blend the essential oils with the water.
To make a room spray, you can combine two tablespoons of witch hazel with two tablespoons of distilled water in a glass container. Then, add your essential oils according to your chosen recipe. Mix the ingredients until the oils are well incorporated, and then pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
Witch hazel is often used in homemade beauty treatments and remedies for skin ailments like sunburn and rashes. It is also an astringent, which means it can help to tighten pores and reduce inflammation. When used in a room spray, witch hazel not only helps to mix the essential oils with water but also provides these additional skincare benefits.
It is important to note that simply shaking a water-based spray is not sufficient to combine the essential oil and water. While shaking can temporarily disperse the oil, a solubilizing agent like alcohol or witch hazel is needed for the mixture to properly combine. Additionally, water-based sprays are susceptible to microbial growth, so it is recommended to add a preservative or use the spray within a few days.
In summary, witch hazel is a helpful ingredient when creating a room spray with essential oils and water. It acts as an emulsifier, ensuring the oil and water mix together properly, and it can also provide additional skincare benefits. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can create your own customised room spray with your choice of essential oils.
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High-proof alcohol is a better emulsifier than witch hazel
When making a room spray, it is important to consider the role of emulsifiers and preservatives. While witch hazel is often used in homemade beauty treatments and can help mix essential oils with water, it is not a true emulsifier. High-proof alcohol, on the other hand, is a more effective emulsifier and preservative.
Firstly, high-proof alcohol is a superior emulsifier to witch hazel. While witch hazel can help mix essential oils and water, it does not do so entirely, and additional products like Polysorbate 20 or 80 may be needed. High-proof alcohol, such as Everclear, is a stronger emulsifier and can better dilute and mix essential oils with water. The stronger the alcohol content, the better it will work to dilute the oils, resulting in improved air dispersion.
Secondly, high-proof alcohol is also a preservative that prevents the growth of mold and other microorganisms in room sprays. According to formulation expert Ginger L. Moore, the alcohol content must be at least 60% ethanol (120 proof) to effectively preserve a water-based spray. Cheap vodka or ethanol alone will not suffice as preservatives. Bacteria can start to grow in a water-based spray within a few days, so a sufficient preservative is crucial.
Additionally, high-proof alcohol can enhance the scent of the room spray. It acts as a carrier, helping to disperse the scent molecules into the air. Vodka is a suitable option as it does not have a strong odour and can effectively hold and disperse the scent of the essential oils.
In summary, high-proof alcohol is a better emulsifier than witch hazel for room sprays. It provides superior emulsification, preservation, and scent dispersion. While witch hazel can be used, high-proof alcohol ensures a more effective and longer-lasting product.
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Vodka is a good option for alcohol due to its lack of odour
When making a room spray, it is important to consider the role of alcohol in the mixture. Alcohol acts as a preservative, preventing the growth of mould and bacteria. It also helps to emulsify the oils in the water, ensuring that the batch smells good and that the scent molecules are dispersed into the air.
While some recipes call for witch hazel, which can help to mix essential oils with water, it is not a true emulsifier. For this reason, a high-proof alcohol is a better option. Vodka, in particular, is a good choice due to its lack of odour. It effectively holds the scent of the oils and helps to disperse them through the air.
It is worth noting that the stronger the alcohol content, the better it will work to dilute the essential oils and provide air dispersion. A product with a high grain alcohol content, such as Everclear, is ideal. However, if you opt for vodka, choose one with a higher alcohol content, such as 151-proof vodka. While it may only partially dilute the essential oils, it still serves the purpose of preservation and odour dispersion.
When creating a room spray, it is crucial to consider the potential for microbial growth. Bacteria can start to grow in a water-based spray within a few days. Therefore, the use of alcohol or another effective preservative is essential to ensure the safety and longevity of your room spray.
In summary, vodka is a suitable option for alcohol in room sprays due to its lack of odour, ability to hold and disperse scents, and contribution to preservation. However, for optimal results, opt for a higher-proof vodka or alternative grain alcohol.
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Polysorbate 20 or 80 can be used to disperse essential oils
When creating a room spray, you need to consider how to combine water and essential oils effectively. While some sources recommend using just water and essential oils, this is not considered safe, as bacteria can quickly grow in a water-based spray. Shaking a water-based spray is also not sufficient to combine the water and oil. Instead, a solubilizing agent is required, such as alcohol or witch hazel.
Polysorbate 20 and Polysorbate 80 are emulsifiers that can be used to combine water and oils. They are commonly used in perfumery and cosmetics. When using polysorbates, it is recommended to use a 1:1 ratio with your essential oils, mixing them together before adding them to your water or alcohol base. For example, if you are making a linen spray with 5g of essential oil and distilled water, you would use 5g of polysorbate-20 combined with the essential oil.
Polysorbates help to prevent the need for "shake before use" products, but they can cause the liquid to become cloudy, depending on the specific essential oils used. Polysorbate 20 is usually the preferred choice for perfumes and colognes as it does not tend to foam and is considered slightly more gentle. However, Polysorbate 80 is stronger and may be a better choice if a higher level of solubility is required.
When creating a room spray, it is important to consider the role of preservatives. Alcohol, specifically high-proof grain alcohol, can be used as a preservative to prevent mold or bacteria from growing. It also helps to dilute and mix the essential oils with water and aids in dispersing the oil into the air when the spray is used. Witch hazel can be used in place of alcohol to help mix the essential oils with water. However, it is important to note that neither witch hazel nor vinegar will act as adequate preservatives for more than a few days.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol or witch hazel is needed to emulsify the oils in the water. They also act as preservatives to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria.
Yes, either is fine. Witch hazel contains alcohol, so it can be used in place of alcohol. There is no need to use both.
A high-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear, is recommended. Vodka may also be used, but it may only partially dilute the essential oils.
