Today we’re making our very own poo pourri recipe from scratch…. because everyone poops! Or so says the classic children’s book. And because we’re talking about bodily fluids (solids), I’m really feeling a need for my inner 9-year-old scouting self to let the potty jokes fly. That’s what happens when you’re the local Cub Scout Bear leader, I guess. Join with me, this is a safe place.
Every old wench has her own special stench.
We all stink up the loo with our own distinct…
Poo Spray. The most craptastic stuff you’ve ever had the displeasure of needing.
I’ll spare you the rest because it only goes downhill from here.
So, this year for Christmas I bought my husband his own little bottle of poo pourri fragrance spray for the bathroom. He opened it and laughed and I laughed and then it got all awkward and he was like, “What an awesome gag gift!” and I sort of stopped laughing and was like, “Gag gift, nothin’! This is real. REAL!! My years of suffering have finally come to an end!!”
And then it had a permanent place of honor in our bathroom. Anyway, after experiencing this little magic in a bottle I can safely say he’s a fan too.
Poo Pourri Ingredients
After I, ahem, put it to use, I thought I recognized a certain favorite smell: essential oils!! After researching it further, I discovered the poo pourri ingredients are basically comprised of essential oils, alcohol, and water all gussied up in some pretty brilliant packaging. Translation: perfect for an easy DIY’er project.
These poo pourri ingredients work because the essential oils create a physical barrier, trapping the stinky smells below. Basically, you could have a chili cheese dawg blowout nightmare in the bathroom and no one would ever know. EVER. Is that incredible or what? Where was this during my dorm days?
So, I got to work in the lab, errr.. kitchen and came up with a perfect copycat clone.
I’ve had family members try both products (original and homemade) in a double-blind test and the results clearly indicate the DIY is just as effective as the original. In other words, we use them interchangeably and they both work great.
I am a huge fan of DoTerra pure essential oils in all my DIY projects and for health too. The oils they use for the poo pourri ingredients are bergamot essential oil, lemongrass essential oil and orange essential oils. However, I have used all kinds of oil combinations such as lemongrass and peppermint, or lavender and orange. During the holidays I even use a pine smell. If you are interested in buying some of these pure essential oils you can order some here from me.
So, the cost breakdown.
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DIY Poo Pourri recipe vs Original Price Comparison
The original big brand costs $9.95 for a 2 oz. container. And that’s not including shipping. That’s $4.98 per ounce.
Our homemade poo pourri recipe version costs the following:
- rubbing alcohol: $.02 (At $2.29 per 16 oz bottle)
- 30-40 drops my favorite brand of essential oils: around $.50 depending on oils used
- Water: Free. Sure, I pay my water bill every month, but it’s a set amount so my bill would be the same whether I make this spray or not.
Total Cost: About $.52 for a 3 oz bottle. Or $.17 per ounce.
You guys. That’s more than a 96% savings!!!!!! And we didn’t even include shipping! Surely if that isn’t the definition of a Happy Money Saver moment, I don’t know what is.
I think this would be the perfect something to leave in a guest bathroom. Isn’t it the worst to have the #2’s hit while you’re at someone else’s home? This is right up there on the essential hosting needs list. Your guests will thank you. And maybe you’ll thank your guests when they put it your poo pourri recipe to use. Win-Win!
DIY Poo Fragrance Spray for the Bathroom
Instructions
- Pour rubbing alcohol in a 3 oz spray container and add essential oils. Add water to fill the container. Give it a good shake and you’re ready to go! I’ve found 3-4 sprays is enough to cover the bowl and trap all of the stink particles below.
- Add water to fill the container.
- Give it a good shake and it's ready for use.
TO USE
- Before you go poo in the toilet, spray on top of the water 3-4 sprays which will create a film, trapping the poo smells after you go. Then do your business and flush.
Let me know your favorite oil combinations—I think it would be fun to create different smells for each season. Summery citrus, woodsy fall, and cinnamon spice for winter. The combinations are endless!
Here are some other great recipes to create yourself for the bathroom:
DIY Toilet Cleaning Bombs
Homemade Countertop Cleansing Spray
DIY Swiffer Wet Pads
Comments & Reviews
maocat says
Brilliant idea!
I’m gonna give this a try – but has anyone else actually tried it and actually works? I know some just drop the oil directly into the bowl, and while my sis tried this (and swore it didn’t smell), hubs went in there and he could smell “something”. Has anyone done this and had someone else do the sniff check afterward (I’m sorry, I know thats kinda gross!)?
And yes, what are some other scent combinations that people have tried? I’m looking for something thats not as lemony / potent as the original, something a bit more subtle!
Meghan says
I use this spray ALLLL the time. My husband uses it as well (I had to make him one to take to work). You can use any essential oil combination you prefer (I have a few different ones: grapefruit/lime, lemon/lime and a clary sage)
Jasmine says
I JUST made this after someone took a dump, and it COMPLETELY covered the smell. (I didn’t know it’s supposed to be used before the deed is done, but it worked just as well afterwards!) I used tea tree and lemon. I knew it would be a good combo because I use that combo for my kitchen wipes.
Craig Taylor says
Great idea I will give this a go tonight does anyone know if it would work with Polysorbate 20 rather than Rubbing Alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is harder to find in the UK
Meghan says
You could use vodka instead, or omit it and just shake before each use
Viv says
I bought a 5litre bottle off Ebay. Over here in the UK, it’s known as IPA or Isopropyl Alcohol.
msmith says
Just wondering if anyone has good suggestions for which scents they like best? Which scent of oils to use?
Patty T says
The original poo pourri use lemon grass, grapefruit and bergamot.
ethalfrida says
Excellent product and one that can be carried discreetly in one’s purse. I bought my bottles at amazon and they are just the right size. I found that if you use a tablespoon of alcohol instead then it cuts down on the scent. Found this out by mistake. But the original formula is perfect.
sarah says
Has anyone tried to make it with any other oils? looking to make something with less or no scent.
Wayne says
Just using plain mineral oil would theoretically work without the scent. That’s assuming that the oil spreading over the water really does block 100% of the nastiness. I suspect it probably really only blocks 80%-90% and that the odor of the essential oils masks the rest, but it would be really interesting to try it.
Nina says
If you can’t find a spray bottle that doesn’t gum up, try using a dropper. Just-A-Drop is essentially the same thing, works just as well and is dropped into the bowl instead of sprayed. You could likely find a small dropper bottle that would fit better in a purse…
Denise says
I put some in a travel perfume atomizer and so far it works great. I’m a little wary of a dropper bottle in my purse. Do they ever leak?
Diana says
Wish I knew about this 10 minutes ago! I have everything on hand, however the Mr. is in the throne room!!!! Going with Lavender/Sandlewood! Thanks for the recipe!
Chloe says
My mom and grandma swear by this stuff! I prefer to skip a few steps and add a few drops of essential oil straight to the toilet water, but this makes a fantastic gift idea 🙂
Natasha says
I’ve got to try this out! I got my fiancé some of the brand name spray for Christmas and have been really enjoying that he’s using it, but it’s running low and I was just wondering whether or not to order more. Thanks so much for the idea!
Toni K. says
I stumbled onto this page from a pinterest link today and am so happy I did. I cannot wait to try this!! Very excited to see all of your other DIY stuff too. Thanks for sharing!
Janis says
I made this and it works!!!!! I use lemon/eucalyptus as my essential oil scent. I definitely recommend this to anyone!
Happy.MoneySaver says
That’s a great combo!
Tammy says
I used the same oil but I added tangerine to it, smells great but doesn’t seem to be strong enough. I added more drops of each oil this morning, now it’s a waiting game,
Amanda says
Oh sh*t! I am so excited to try this! I have been buying this stuff for a year now and while I totally love it, I don’t love the price. I actually saved a couple empty bottles just in case I ever figured out how to make my own. Now I’m so glad that I did! Yay! Thank you thank you!
Amanda says
Just finished making mine. Eden’s Garden Grapefruit and Sweet Orange used. I have yet to “test” it lol.
My boyfriend didn’t think I was serious about making this product, so he’s in for a surprise today.
Jenni says
I LOVE this DIY recipe. I found this product in a cute little “unique gifts” store 4 or so yrs ago. I bought 2 bottles. It was a huge hit in my house of boys but we quickly ran out & the store I bought it at was about an hr or so drive from me… not worth the drive to get more. One bottle for our bathroom & one for my purse. Since I suffer from gastrointestinal issues, well you just N.E.V.E.R. know when good ol’ poo pourri will come in handy. Now I can make bottles for everyone LOL boys in college will love them. Hubby can keep one in his work truck haha and momma can have different scents to keep in the purse. I like the suggestion earlier of scents for seasons 🙂 srsly super excited to start mixing up bottles of this magic toilet potion haha 😀
Eve says
Hello just wondering if it is ok in a septic tank ? and I don’t understand the alcohol thing ! is it what we drink or a special thing for mixing with oils . thanks Eve
Happy.MoneySaver says
The alcohol used is rubbing alcohol which is usually found by the medical supplies or hygiene departments. You do not drink it but add it to the oils to help create a more pleasant smell in the toilet. I haven’t had a problem with my septic tank. It only uses a couple squirts out of a 2 ounce bottle. 🙂
Jacqueline says
I saw you on Pinterest! My daughter gave me Poo Pourrii for a gag gift also and I liked the smell but didn’t really think it worked. Then I gave the Santa one to the kids in their stockings this year and they taught me it really did work – I just had to spray it in first. It is super expensive so I am thrilled to find this. Now I just need to find my bottles of lavender essential oils!
Amanda says
How much water did you use?
1tsp Alcohol
30-40 Drops Essential Oil
Happy.MoneySaver says
I added the alcohol and essential oils in my container first and then filled the rest of the bottle up with water so I didn’t measure it! I used a 2 oz container so probably just under 2 oz water with those measurements. 🙂
Stephanie says
I love this stuff! My grandma got me hooked because she has at least two bottles in every one of her bathrooms lol I am definitely making it for my apartment bathrooms instead of paying a ridiculous amount on the actual stuff!
Anyway, I have one question. In your directions it says to use a 3 oz bottle, but here you say you used a 2 oz bottle…what would you recommend to use?
Thanks! :]
Happy.MoneySaver says
My bad! I have made this recipe with different size bottles. Follow the recipe above with a 3 ounce bottle!! Sorry for the confusion! 🙂
Liudmila says
So when&how you use it?
Happy.MoneySaver says
Spray inside the toilet bowl before using it and it works like a charm! 🙂
cdes says
do we ever worry about sending oil down the toilet – after awhile will it cause any problems?
Wayne says
Do you send toilet bowl cleaner down the toilet? I’d say that’s far worse than oils, especially since oils are contained in the foods we eat, and therefore also in the packages we naturally create for the toilet. The sewer system is very much capable of dealing with this stuff at the quantities in question. I might be -slightly- concerned about using it with a septic tank, but even then it’s almost certainly fine.
Robb says
Just curious what happens if one were to drop the kids off at the pool and they happened to have their “floatation devices” attached? How would this product keep certain unpleasantries contained in this case? Hope you know what I’m getting at here? 🙂
Wayne says
Still works. The kids dive in before coming up for a breath. So when they surface, they are coated in the lifejacket.
Emily says
Ok, this was the GREATEST string of euphemism ever in the history of euphemisms. I laughed out loud at my computer! Thanks for that!
Sherri says
Hilarity at its best! Literally laughing out loud!
Ali says
A friend calls pooing “setting my people free”. Using a poo spray dresses her people in their Sunday best.