How to make scented ironing water – the DIY secret to keeping your clothes smelling fresh

There's nothing better than fresh-smelling laundry, and although there are plenty of great-smelling detergents to choose from, have you ever considered making your own ironing water to uplift your clothes with a unique signature scent?

Of course, you can purchase a wealth of pre-made scented ironing water products, but it's also pretty easy to make your own affordable solution when exploring how to do laundry – and it makes for a lovely, DIY craft.

We spoke to professional cleaners and laundry experts for their tips on how to make scented ironing water, allowing for your crisply ironed clothes to go back into your closet and drawers smelling wonderfully clean and fresh.

How to make scented ironing water

What is scented ironing water?

Ironing is undoubtedly one of the best ways of getting wrinkles out of clothes. While there are things you should never iron, for those you should, steam irons have a refillable water tank with holes in the pressing plate to allow steam to flow out, effectively removing wrinkles and creases in your garments.

'Simply put, scented ironing water is a fragrant twist on regular water that you use in your iron,' explains Jade Piper, operations manager of BetterCleans.

This then gives your clothes a pleasant fragrance, and gives the fabric a smooth, crisp finish.

Why is ironing water used?

'It adds a lovely scent to your clothes, masking any musty odors or lingering smells,' explains Rocky Vuong, founder of Calibre Cleaning and Neatbrite. 'The light mist helps to relax fabric fibers, making ironing easier and more effective,' and you can add it directly into your iron, too.

Making your ironing water is a simple and cost-effective way to personalize your laundry routine using your favorite fragrances, adds Vuong. You can also use it to spritz onto garments for a refresh, if your clothes have been hanging in your closet for a while, or have been stored away, great if you're using a method to unwrinkle clothes without an iron.

How to make scented ironing water

You will need:

• Spray bottle
• Distilled water
• Vodka
• Essential oils

Step 1. Combine

In a clean spray bottle, such as the Equate 8 oz Plastic Spray bottle available at Walmart, pour roughly a cup of distilled water. 'This is better than tap to prevent mineral buildup in your iron,' explains cleaning expert Piper. Add one tablespoon of inexpensive vodka, which will prevent the iron from spitting or leaking and help to disperse the essential oil.

Then, add around 10 to 15 drops of your preferred essential oil, adjusting to your liking. These can also be used in your washing machine routine for a signature scent – our dedicated guide delves into how to use essential oils in laundry.

For an uplifting scent, we recommend a citrus oil, such as the Mainstays 100% Pure Essential Oil available at Walmart, or opt for a calming rose scent, such as the number one bestselling MAJESTIC PURE Rose Essential Oil available at Amazon. For a fresh scent, the MAJESTIC PURE Eucalyptus Essential Oil available at Amazon will leave clothes smelling minty with a warm hint of wood. 'You can even mix a couple of oils to create your own unique blend,' suggests Piper, which is a clever way to customize homemade room spray, too.

Step 2. Shake to mix

Once your water, vodka and essential oils are in the spray bottle, it's as easy as shaking it to mix.

'Shake the bottle vigorously to ensure the ingredients are well combined,' says cleaning expert Vuong. Once mixed, your scented ironing water is ready for spritzing over your clothes while ironing, or just for a quick refresh to make laundry smell better.

Then, label the bottle with the scent and the date you made it. I use and love the DYMO Embossing Label Maker available at Amazon, which I find comfortable and easy to use.

'When not in use, store your scented ironing water in a cool, dark place,' says cleaning expert Piper. 'To determine if it's still good to use, do quick smell test.

'If the fragrance is still pleasant and strong, you're good to go! But, if it smells or loses its scent, it's time to whip up a fresh batch. Of course, shake again before using.'

FAQs

Does ironing water make a difference?

While ironing is chore most of us don't enjoy, using scented ironing water doesn't just make it a pleasant smelling experience. It also makes ironing easier, protects your iron from limescale build-up caused by using tap water, and leaves your clothes fresh.

Therefore, taking the time to iron your clothes with it is a laundry tip the pros (and us!) recommend.

Can you iron clothes without water?

While you can iron clothes without water, it is recommended to do so for the bacteria busting properties that the steam provides. If you do want to, though, empty out the water tank from your iron, and use it on a dry setting, or whatever similar setting your iron has.

This can eliminate the issue of water stains on delicate fabrics, and is useful if you want to dry clean clothes at home.

Ready to tackle your washing and ironing pile? Avoid these laundry room organizing mistakes to make the process less stressful, and more serene.