For our miniseries on essential oils, we asked Dawn De La Fuente, owner of herbal apothecary S/he Studio, for smart, simple ways to use essential oils around the house. Today: a freshening spray for bed and bath linens, for a bit of luxury in bed and the sense that your linens have been hung to dry outside (even if they haven’t).

Above: The summer bedroom, breeze included. Photograph by Justine Hand.

There’s nothing like the smell of linens hung to dry in the sun, or, better yet, a summer bedroom with the windows flung open. A substitute you can bottle (in the off-season too): “Linen sprays are a great way to provide daily freshness to sheets and towels,” De La Fuente says. “They also help to take care of stagnant air in a bedroom, living room, or bathroom.” Here’s how.

To make a linen spray:

2 oz distilled water

7 drops Lavender Essential Oil

5 drops Cedarwood, Virginia Essential Oil

3 drops Vetiver Essential Oil

Add to a small glass spray bottle and shake well. Use as a spray, or dot the mixture on cotton balls and tuck into the linen closet.

For a comforting blend, De La Fuente suggests mixing the distilled water with 10 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 20 drops Orange, Sweet Essential Oil, and four drops Neroli (Orange Flower) Essential Oil.

N.B.: Take care before using essential oils, and always test in a small, discreet area of skin, clothing, or furniture before applying. “Essential oils are the most potent form of plant medicine and must be respected and handled with care. Some essential oils may have contraindications for use when pregnant or for people with health conditions or skin sensitivities, so consult your physician before using,” De La Fuente says.

For the rest of our essential oils how-tos, see Essential Oils: 7 Smart DIYs for the Home. And for more in linen care, see:

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 12, 2017.