Disclaimer: I was provided free product and/or monetary compensation for this post. As part of Online Blog Con, LorAnn Oils was kind enough to send me some of their essential oils, free for my use. All opinions are 100% honest and 100% mine.
Ladies, let’s talk kitchen sinks. Specifically your sink’s, shall we say…bouquet? Probably not a bed of roses huh? I’m not sure about you, but if your house is like mine, after using the disposal and washing dishes it can acquire a “scent”. Unfortunately, one that ends up filling the entire kitchen.
I’ve tried just about everything. Vinegar and baking soda works ok, but doesn’t have a nice smell and the benefits wear off pretty quickly. Commercial products work for sure, but not for long and smell “fake” to me. And they can be really expensive. It’s like throwing money down the drain…literally!
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I’ve begun trying out homemade organic cleaning products and working with essential oils, so when LorAnn Oils offered to send me some of their Pure Essential Oils I jumped at the chance! I had just the project.
These sink freshening tabs are incredibly easy to make, super affordable, and customizable! If I can do this, you can do this. Promise.
Here’s the basic recipe:
2 cups baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
Essential oils of your choice (I used LorAnn Clove Oil and LorAnn Orange Oil – Just shy of 1/4 teaspoon each)
1 tbsp Water (I used distilled, but tap should be fine)
You’ll also need molds of some sort. I chose to use a silicone tray that I already had.
It’s seriously simple. Measure and mix your baking soda and citric acid in a large bowl. I used a metal mixing bowl because I’ve read that oils can be absorbed by plastic. I’ve never had that experience personally, but if you’re worried about it, go for metal or glass – something non-porous.
Add your water slowly, a little at a time and begin mixing with your hands (you can use a spoon if you like, I just find using my hands works better). It’s going to fizz. That’s normal so don’t panic. Once you’ve added all of the water and gotten it incorporated (it should still be on the dry side, but clumpy) you add your essential oils and get your hands in there once again to incorporate the oils into your mixture.
LorAnn oils are super concentrated (and smell divine!) so I didn’t need much, but since you’re making your own you can totally customize the strength of the smell. I would start with a drop or two and then add more if you want a stronger scent.
Fill your molds and let them dry overnight. You’ll probably notice it will feel kind of tacky while you’re putting it into the molds, but it shouldn’t stick to your fingers.
When dry, gently remove them from your mold (it shouldn’t need much force) and pop them into a waterproof container.
When your drain needs freshening, drop one in the drain and run the warm water! It will fizz a bit and break down and you will have a yummy smelling drain and kitchen.
And before I let you go, here are a couple of tips:
- Citric acid can be found with the canning supplies in your local grocery store. Make sure you get the bottle labeled citric acid and not Fruit Fresh. The bottles look very similar, but they aren’t the same thing. (Edit: LorAnn was kind enough to comment on this post that they sell citric acid in a bulk 16 oz size in case you can’t find it at your grocery store or want a larger size Thanks LorAnn!)
- If you have allergies or asthma, I recommend you wear a dust mask or bandana while working with the citric acid. It’s not dangerous at all, but it is very fine and blows around a lot.
Have you worked with essential oils before? Do you make your own homemade cleaning supplies? Let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for new ways to use essential oils in my daily routine.
And if you’d like to see more, check out these other blogger creations with LorAnn!
Strawberry Fudge from The Stylish Nest
Pumpkin Spice Latte French Macarons from Rickabamboo
Amaretto Cookies from The Blonde in the Apron
No Soda Root Beer Cupcakes and Frosting from Juggling Act Mama
Coffee Donuts from the First Year Blog
Pumpkin Spice Brownie Cookies from Flippin’ Delicious
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake from The Frugal Foodie Mama
Sink Freshening Tabs in a Snap from Christina, Plain and Simple
Marshmallow Cookies with Princess Cake Frosting from Mom’s Busy Helper
White Chocolate Key Lime Shortbread from It Bakes Me Happy
Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate from Delightful E Made
Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie from Nel’s Nook
Cinnamon Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting from Hezzi-D’s Book and Cooks
Almond Cake Cookies with Cinnamon Spice Glaze from Mom’s Test Kitchen
Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Love Bakes Good Cakes
Princess Sand Tarts from Diary of a Recipe Collector
Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon Glaze from Deliciously Sprinkled
Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse from Confessions of a Cooking Diva
Purple People Eater Popcorn Balls from Seven Alive
Green Apple High Hat Cupcakes from Pint Sized Baker
Pumpkin Pie Pudding Parfait from Fearlessly Creative Mamas
Mango Butter Cake from Clark’s Condensed
Pistachio Lemon cake from Self Proclaimed Foodie
Apple Crumb Coffee Cake from Healthy Delicious
Chocolate Chip Horchata Zucchini Bread from Plate to Gate
Key Lime Cookies from Cooking with Curls
Key Lime Margarita Cookies from Lori’s Culinary Adventures
Chocolate Irish Cream Bundt Cake from Lynsey Lou’s
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies from Never Skip Dessert
Maple Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Salted Maple Caramel Sauce from the Paisley Barn
Pumpkin Cinnamon Cream Puffs from That’s my Home
Citrus Body Scrub from Melissa’s Cuisine
Pumpkin Spiced Tres Leches Cake from Flavor Mosaic
Salted Caramel Meringue Cookies from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Pumpkin Toffee from Eazy Peazy Meals
Movie Theater Chocolate from KC Bakes
Lactose Free Bacarian Cream Pudding from Travel Parent
Red Velvet Muffins from I Love my Disorganized Life
Maple Bacon Fruit Dip from Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
Maple Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding from Awesome on $20 a Day
Pumpkin Spice Caramel Corn Snacks from Grumpy’s Honey Bunch
Cranberry Cheesecake Bites from Lady Behind the Curtain
19 Comments
I think this was such a unique idea in using the oils! Definitely am giving this a try!
Thanks Nancy! If you do, please let me know how it goes and what scents you used. What did you get from LorAnn?
I live in an old house and my kitchen sink doesn’t smell the greatest. I’m constantly trying to clean it out. I need to give this a try. They sound like they smell delicious!
I’m going to try!
I’ve been wanting to try a DIY sink freshener. Thanks for making it easy for me to try now.
I had no idea how to make something like this. I’m definitely going to try it!
Thanks Krissy! If you do, let me know how it goes 🙂
I love the scent of orange peels going through the garbage disposal, so I bet this smells amazing! Great idea 🙂
Great post! We also get some sketchy smells coming from our sink, so I will have to try this.
Orange oil is brilliant for cleaning I love it and the house always smells amazing too. Sink smells are disgusting, pinned this
What a clever use of the LorAnn oils! I need to bookmark this for the future!
WOW, great idea. I could use these… my sink isn’t always so amazing smelling ;o)
I need to make these. I have been going chemical free so I am always looking for ideas!
Love these, Christina, and can’t wait to try them!
These sink fizzies are so inventive! Thank you Christina for your creative recipe using our essential oils. And I need these myself- I can’t wait to make them. By the way, LorAnn sells citric acid in bulk (16 oz) if anyone is looking for a larger size than can be found at the grocery store.
Thank you so much! Now that I know that you offer citric acid in bulk, I will definitely be picking some up and I will edit the post to make that note as well. I can’t wait to make more with my oils.
I love this idea! I often use lemon peel if I have it, but this seems much nicer.
This is SUCH a clever idea! I’m totally making these 🙂
Ang
This sounds great! I will try making these!