Use alcohol to ‘freshen linen’ with expert’s clever hack

If you’re tired of restless nights and desperate for a little luxury at bedtime, a clever new hack could be just what you need, and it’s as easy as raiding your drinks cabinet. Lifestyle experts at The Kitchn have revealed a brilliantly simple method for making homemade linen spray using just three ingredients. Distilled water, vodka, and essential oils, and it could transform the way you sleep.

While linen sprays might sound like an extravagant extra, especially for busy parents juggling endless to-do lists, experts insist they’re a “game-changer.” When exhaustion finally hits at the end of a long day, a fresh, soothing scent can help switch off the mind and ease you into a blissful night’s rest.

The best part is that you probably already have everything you need sitting at home.

To make your own spray, all you need to do is mix 1½ ounces of distilled water with 1½ ounces of vodka in a small, preferably dark, glass spray bottle.

Then simply add about 30 drops of your favourite essential oil, with lavender topping the list for its calming, sleep-promoting properties.

Give the bottle a good shake, and you’re ready to mist your sheets, pillows, or even the air around your bed.

According to experts, the vodka acts as a dispersant, helping the oil blend properly with the water, and it also helps the scent linger much longer.

Rubbing alcohol is not recommended, but if you prefer an alcohol-free version, rosewater or more distilled water can be used instead.

The experts warn that you should stick to light-coloured oils as darker oils could stain your whites. While floral scents like rose absolute are beautiful, they can stain your linens with their amber tones.

For those wanting to experiment, The Kitchn suggests other relaxing blends too, such like Roman chamomile, bergamot, or a cheerful mix of grapefruit, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.