Cleaning

Febreze is the Devil’s Brew

I tend to think that I am fairly easy going on many clothing related things. Live and let live! To each their own!

Friends, Febreze is not one of the things I am easy going about. As an asthmatic with allergy problems, Frebreze and I have had a long, hostile relationship. As a teenager starting out as a costume designer, I used Febreze to keep costumes in good shape between washings. Frebreze also gave me asthma attacks. But one must suffer for their art, or so I thought. So I would mask up and spray away.

Then I went into a BA program for Drama and discovered vodka spray. Vodka spray is cheap, no-odor, and ridiculously easy to make.

How to make vodka spray:

  1. Find an empty spray bottle.
  2. Find the cheapest unflavored vodka you can. Bottom of the bottom shelf. If your check-out person gives you a weird look or sighs when they see the bottle, you know you’ve got the right one.
  3. Mix one-part vodka with one-part water.

The alcohol in vodka spray kills odor causing bacteria. Because vodka is a clear, scentless spirit, it is ideal for this task. No heavy perfumes or other questionable additives. It also doesn’t require you to buy a new plastic bottle every time you need more.

Tips and Tricks to using vodka spray:

  1. Use the cheapest vodka you can find. No flavored vodkas.
  2. Be careful with specialty fabrics, silk, leather and suede. These may watermark. If you’re unsure about a fabric, you can always do a small test. I’ve also used a 100% vodka spray on fabrics that I knew could take it.
  3. Spray, spray, spray and then let air dry.

A 750 ml bottle of terrible vodka costs about $8.99, making vodka spray slightly cheaper than Febreze once it is mixed. But it is a whole lot healthier, especially for people with respiratory issues. I also find it far more effective than Febreze. You can use vodka spray on upholstery, gym clothes, etc, etc. Always remember to spot test if you are unsure about the fabric.

Keep Calm and Vodka Spray On.