Room Spray Formulation Advice

Hello,

It's understandable to struggle with formulations, especially when trying to achieve the desired result. Let's look at your room spray formulation and the alternatives you proposed.

Your current formulation:

• Aroma oil (Warm Spice) - 10%
• DEB100 - 83%
• Polysorbate 20 - 5%
• Fixative - 1%
• Preservative - 1%

This is a common and valid approach for creating an alcohol-based room spray. Here's a breakdown of the ingredients' roles:

• Aroma oil: Provides the fragrance. 10% is a typical concentration for room sprays.
• DEB100: This is a type of denatured alcohol, acting as the main solvent and carrier. The high percentage (83%) is standard for alcohol-based sprays, helping to disperse the fragrance and evaporate quickly.
• Polysorbate 20: This acts as a solubilizer or dispersant. While alcohol often dissolves fragrance oils, Polysorbate 20 can help ensure the aroma oil remains fully dispersed and stable within the alcohol base, especially if the oil isn't perfectly soluble or if there are other factors affecting stability.
• Fixative: Included to help the fragrance last longer in the air.
• Preservative: Adds microbial stability, although high-alcohol formulas are less prone to microbial growth than water-based ones.

Comparing your formula to the alternatives:

1. Aroma oil 10% + Ethyl alcohol 90%: This is a simpler version. It relies solely on the alcohol to dissolve and carry the fragrance. It can work well if the aroma oil is highly soluble in the alcohol. Your current formula adds Polysorbate 20, fixative, and preservative, which potentially offer better stability, longevity, and microbial safety compared to this simple two-ingredient mix.
2. General alcohol room spray base: Using a pre-made base is the easiest option as it's already formulated for stability and performance. If you continue to face difficulties, this is a good alternative.

Does your current formula work?
Your current formula is well-structured and includes components (Polysorbate 20, fixative, preservative) that aim to improve stability, longevity, and safety beyond a simple alcohol/oil mix. The key to its effectiveness lies in whether your specific aroma oil fully dissolves and remains stable in the DEB100 base with the help of Polysorbate 20.

Recommendation:
Try making a small batch of your current formulation.

• Mix the aroma oil with the Polysorbate 20 first (this can sometimes help solubilize).
• Then add the DEB100, fixative, and preservative, mixing thoroughly.
• Observe if the mixture is clear and stays clear over time (no separation or cloudiness).
• Test the spray performance and scent longevity.

If it mixes well and performs as desired, your current formula is effective. If you encounter issues like separation or poor scent throw/longevity, you might need to adjust the Polysorbate 20 level, consider a different type of alcohol, or explore using a pre-made base.

Your current formula is a solid attempt and includes beneficial ingredients compared to the simplest alternative. Don't be discouraged; formulation often involves testing and adjustment.

I hope this helps!