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
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
cv44 says
Yes, that helps. Thank you so much!
cv44 says
I have never purchased essential oils before, and I see that they come in various sizes. How many ounces does 30-40 drops equal?
Happy.MoneySaver says
I know for my favorite brand of essential oils that a 15ml bottle will contain approximately 250 drops of essential oil and a 5 ml bottle will contain approximately 85 drops of essential oil. Hope that helps!
Jen says
Not sure if this was mentioned already (too many comments) but I’d invest in glass spray bottles. True essential oils (not chemical reproductions) such as Karries brand she uses of essential oils will breakdown plastic over time. In particular, citrus oils. One drop of lime or lemon eats through Styrofoam in seconds. Been using the same brand of oils you use for years; amazing stuff. Happy flushing!!
Donna says
In my earlier post, I spoke of spray bottles that needed to have a resin ID # of 1 just like the original bottles. Well I found them!! Go to Sally’s Beauty Supply and they have 3 ounce spray bottles with that same resin number.
With that it’s less likely to melt or deteriorate. In my neck of the woods they cost $2.09. Yahoooo!! You’re looking for the Salon Care Fingertip Sprayer.
Jackie says
I have used poopourri brand and LOVE it. However, it is way too pricey for me. Can’t wait to try this.
Donna says
A few tips —
1) You still have to double flush when necessary. Don’t make the spray over work.
2) Close the lid before flushing – when there is a lid.
3) on the plastic bottle. I looked on the bottom of my brand name one and it has a resin ID number of 1.
I suggest we look for plastic bottles with that number to avoid the melting some are experiencing. My original pourri bottle is a stronger harder plastic. 🙂
Can’t wait to make mine!! Thanks for this recipe!
Joan K says
Do you think this is safe enough to use in the kitty box?
Happy.MoneySaver says
I haven’t thought of that before! I think it would be safe enough because everything is so diluted.
Carrie says
Please DO NOT USE essential oils around cats! Although natural, I have heard/seen around the internet they are not pet safe. Besides, if I do anything different with the box, new brand of litter, etc……she will go anywhere else, usually somewhere she shouldn’t! Cats do not like change!
Alice says
Thanks so much for your recipe and comments. And you, too, participants. I’ve been using the store bought since seeing the first commercials on TV. The original irritates my lips. So OKAY, why is it on your lips, ya’ll ask? LOL Just the oils coming up from toilet and little bit in air is all that is needed. It may be the Grapefruit Oil. So I purchased the Lavender/Vanilla and it doesn’t cause the irritation. FYI… I planned a trip out today, 20 mi round trip, to pick up a bottle at BBB but now don’t have to. And it is snowing so I’m really looking forward to spending day inside, enjoying rare snow in comfort of home. For starters I’m using essential oils Lavender and Eucalyptus. I’ve ordered Lemon Essential Oil from Amazon and have here Orange. Looking forward to playing with combinations. Thanks so much.
Xandra says
To get rid of bad poo smells you can also light a match….simple but effective.
Heather says
I am wanting to make the freshener spray, but how much water? I do not see how much in the description. Thanks!!!
Happy.MoneySaver says
Add the alcohol and oils in the bottle then fill the water up to make the bottle. This recipe is for a 3-ounce bottle of the poo fragrance spray
Teresa says
Does the poo poo spray work for strong smelling urine? Also, I used your brand of essential oils, can you put them in a plastic bottle, for spraying counters and such.
Happy.MoneySaver says
Yes it works on strong urine and yes, you can store it in a plastic bottle!
Judith C says
My husband thinks this stuff is awesome! He’s the one who reminds me “hey, we’re out of poop spray!” My choice essential oils to use are lemongrass, bergamont and pink grapefruit. Such a clean smell. I even recycled a tiny spray perfume bottle to make a tiny purse size spray.
Jessica Merrill says
Made my own today used Tangerine from Vitamin shoppee only 2.99 a bottle for the oil so cheap!!!! I love it ! It works great!
Carolyn says
I have an ostomy and always worried about odor when emptying my pouch in a public restroom. Last Sunday at church I spritzed the toilet bowl 3 or 4 times with the DIY poo spray (lavender) then sprayed the air a couple of times for good measure before emptying. A little girl about 4 years old entered the adjacent stall after insisting her mom wait outside the door. She peed, then informed her mom, “I’m pooping, too.” After a short pause, she said, “It smells good in here! I can’t even smell my poop!” I appreciated the reassurance that this stuff does indeed work.
I had bought several bottles of Poo-pourri as Christmas gifts, but it was too expensive for me to use as often as I need it.
Jada says
I will be making some of this to take along on visits to my family. I hate stinking up their bathrooms!!
Patty says
I thank you for sharing this recipe. I’ll surely try it. But for those who are just learning about Poo-pourri, and do not want to try a DIY version, you can get the original at Bed Bath and Beyond, which is cheaper than buying it at the specialty boutiques, and even less when you use one of their coupons !
Becki Swindell says
I used orange and lavender and it it amazing. If you use a glass spray bottle, available at Whole Foods you avoid the citrus/plastic issue!
Teresa says
My favorite is the Citrus Mint from Poo Pourri. What combination of essential oils would I use to re-create this scent? I’m not a fan of Lemon Grass at all so I hope that won’t be one of them…
One of my former co-workers bought sample hair spray bottles (black plastic bottles) from the grocery store and poured it out. After washing it out and letting it dry, she used it to make her DIY Poo Poo spray. She said it works great! Now, I can’t wait to try this!
missy says
Does anyone have ideas for scent combos I can try that DEFINITELY WILL NOT melt plastic bottles? Ill most likely get the little travel sized spray bottles, so which oils are safe to use with those? Is it just citrus that seem to cause problems? Any help would be appreciated 🙂
Me says
I just made a batch tonight and it’s working fine. I purchased the 3 oz bottle from Dollarama for $1.25 and it came with two other travel mini bottles. I used clove scented oil from the Bulk Barn. I attempted to purchase rubbing alcohol this evening but soon realized that the grocery store doesn’t sell rubbing alcohol after the pharmacy closes -who knew?… On the way home I recalled that I had some horrible tasting undrinkable Pine flavoured vodka (tastes like turpentine); but the pine did work well with the clove oil. As the vodka was 40% alcohol -I doubled it up (partly to get rid of it…) to get closes to the 90% alcohol content of rubbing alcohol.