Room Spray Turns Cloudy After Mixing Essential Oils and Polysorbate 20

Asked by: smile.hippy On: June 18, 2021 Product Type: Cosmetics Answered

Question

I am trying to make a 100ml Room Spray. I used the following ingredients:

  • Essential Oil: 30 drops (tangerine, Lavender, Lime, Spearmint blend)
  • Polysorbate 20 (Tween20): 60 drops (used at a 2:1 ratio to the essential oil)
  • DI Water: The rest of the volume

My process was to first mix the Essential Oil with Polysorbate 20 and shake until clear, which it was. Then I added DI Water to the full volume, and it still looked clear. However, when I checked the next morning, the liquid in the spray bottle had turned cloudy.

How can I fix this problem? I also tried using Flora Solve Clear at a 2:1 ratio, but it didn't seem to dissolve the essential oil and formed clumps.

Answer

Room Spray Turning Cloudy: Causes and Solutions

It sounds like you're experiencing a common issue with water-based room sprays: the essential oils are not staying fully dissolved, causing the mixture to turn cloudy over time.

You used essential oils, Polysorbate 20, and DI Water, and also tried Flora Solve Clear.

Here's why this happens and how to fix it:

Why Cloudiness Occurs

Essential oils don't naturally mix with water. A solubilizer like Polysorbate 20 or Flora Solve Clear is needed to disperse them. The 2:1 ratio of Polysorbate 20 to essential oil you used is often not enough to keep the oils stably dissolved, especially with a blend of different essential oils. The oils can separate over time, making the spray look cloudy.

Your attempt with Flora Solve Clear might not have worked because of the mixing method. Solubilizers need to be thoroughly mixed with the oils before adding water.

How to Fix It

The key is proper solubilization. Follow these steps:

  1. Increase the Solubilizer Ratio: The 2:1 ratio is likely too low. You'll probably need much more solubilizer relative to your essential oils.

    • If using Polysorbate 20, try ratios like 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, or even higher (up to 10:1 or more), depending on your specific essential oils and their total amount.
    • If using Flora Solve Clear, it's generally more efficient, but you might still need a higher ratio than 2:1. Start by trying 3:1 or 4:1.

  2. Use Proper Mixing Technique: This is vital for both solubilizers.

    • In a separate container, mix your total essential oils with the chosen solubilizer (Polysorbate 20 or Flora Solve Clear) at your determined ratio.
    • Mix this blend very thoroughly until it is completely clear and uniform. No oil separation should be visible.
    • Once the oil-solubilizer mix is perfectly clear, slowly add the DI Water to it while continuously stirring or shaking. Add water in small amounts, allowing it to fully incorporate before adding more. Adding water too fast can cause the oils to separate.
    • Continue adding water gradually until you reach your final volume (100ml). The final product should be clear.

  3. Consider a Co-Solvent (Optional): Adding a small amount (e.g., 5-10%) of Ethanol (undenatured alcohol) to the water phase can help improve solubility and stability, keeping the spray clear.

In summary, increase the solubilizer amount and ensure you mix the essential oils completely with the solubilizer before slowly adding the water with continuous mixing. Flora Solve Clear is often a more effective option for clear water-based sprays.

Answer Update
Updated Review: May 2026

This section was added after reviewing the original answer against current product availability and formulation knowledge at the stated point in time.

Update as of 2026-05-31

For Flora Solve™ Clear, please follow the current mixing direction: first mix Flora Solve™ Clear with the fragrance/essential oil until uniform, then add that premix into the water/formula while stirring. Do not add water/formula into the Flora Solve™ Clear–oil premix, because it may form a thick gel.

The current Flora Solve™ Clear guidance is typically 2–5 parts Flora Solve™ Clear to 1 part fragrance/essential oil. Citrus-type essential oils may need the higher end; the catalog specifically notes Mandarin Oil can require about 5:1. If the spray is still cloudy after standing, make a small test batch and increase the solubilizer ratio within the product-page guidance, or reduce the essential-oil load.

Polysorbate 20 and HiPure™ PS20 are still Polysorbate 20 options, but for a clear water-based room spray, Flora Solve™ Clear remains the more suitable current recommendation when clarity is the goal. Always check the latest product page usage limits before scaling up.

Tags

Room Spray Turbidity Solubility Solubilizer Essential Oil