Gentle Pillow & Bed Spray with Essential Oils for Relaxation

Question

I would like advice on a formula for a spray to be used on pillows and beds for relaxation and comfortable sleep. I'm concerned that using the same formula as regular perfume might be too strong and intense. I plan to use Essential Oils, but what else should I mix with them? I want the resulting mixture to be gentle and have a pleasant scent. Longevity is not the main focus; the priority is gentleness and the ability for the scent to diffuse throughout the room.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Gentle Essential Oil Pillow & Bed Spray

This formula uses a solubilizer to mix essential oils with water, creating a gentle mist suitable for fabrics.

Ingredients:

Essential Oil(s): 1-2% (e.g., 1-2 ml per 100 ml of spray)
Solubilizer: 2-5% (adjust based on the specific solubilizer and essential oil ratio, typically 2-4 parts solubilizer to 1 part essential oil)
Purified Water or Distilled Water: Up to 100%

Suitable Essential Oils for Relaxation:

Based on your interest in essential oils and relaxation, consider scents like:

Chamomile (e.g., Chamomile Valley, Rose Chamomile, Lemon Chamomile)
Lavender
Bergamot
Cedarwood
Frankincense
Blends designed for relaxation (e.g., Healing Spa)

Instructions:

In a clean spray bottle, mix the essential oil(s) with the solubilizer. Stir or swirl gently to ensure they are fully combined. The mixture might turn slightly cloudy.
Gradually add the purified or distilled water to the mixture while stirring or swirling. Continue mixing until the solution is clear or uniformly dispersed.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
Shake well before each use, as some separation can still occur over time, especially with natural ingredients.

Notes:

Start with a lower concentration of essential oil (1%) and test the scent strength. You can gradually increase up to 2% if needed.
The amount of solubilizer needed can vary depending on the specific solubilizer and essential oil used. Follow the supplier's recommended ratio. A common solubilizer is Polysorbate 20.
As an alternative to a solubilizer, you could use a small amount (around 10-20%) of cosmetic-grade alcohol (like perfumer's alcohol) mixed with the essential oil before adding water. However, a solubilizer generally results in a less "alcoholic" scent profile.
For a potentially ready-to-use base that might contain solubilizers, products like Bouquet Freshener could be explored, but always check their specific usage instructions.
Store the spray in a cool, dark place. Since this formula contains water, adding a broad-spectrum preservative at a low concentration (check supplier recommendations) is recommended if you plan to store it for more than a week or two to prevent microbial growth.