The first step in air freshener production is to define the product type based on target usage scenarios, then match it with corresponding raw materials to ensure functional alignment:
Spray-type: Ideal for rapid odor elimination in large areas (e.g., living rooms, offices). Raw materials should include water-soluble natural essential oils, food-grade ethanol, deionized water, and optional emulsifiers (to prevent delamination).
Solid-type: Designed for long-lasting fragrance release in small spaces (e.g., bathrooms, closets). Core raw materials include agar/beeswax (as the base), activated carbon (for enhanced adsorption), and plant essential oils.
Aromatherapy-type: Focused on creating a pleasant ambiance (e.g., bedrooms, spas). Centered on plant essential oils, paired with diffusion carriers such as rattan sticks or diffuser stones, and base oils (to regulate volatilization).
Formulating detailed raw material lists and precise proportion standards is critical to ensuring product stability, safety, and compliance. Below are standardized formulas for the three main types:
Water-soluble essential oils: 3%–5%
Food-grade ethanol: 10%–15%
Deionized water: 80%–87%
Emulsifier (optional): 0.5% (to prevent phase separation)
Gel-based formula:
Agar (base): 5%
Plant essential oils: 10%–15%
Activated carbon: 20%–30%
Diatomite (filler): Balance (30%–65%)
Wax-based formula:
Beeswax (base): 40%
Plant essential oils: 10%–15%
Activated carbon: 20%–30%
Diatomite (filler): Balance (10%–30%)
Plant essential oils: 10%–20%
Base oils (e.g., jojoba oil, sweet almond oil): 80%–90%
Diffusion carrier: Rattan sticks, diffuser stones, or ceramic beads (soaked in the oil mixture)
The production process of spray-type air fresheners follows the core workflow: Precise Proportioning → Homogeneous Mixing → Sterile Filling → Sealing Inspection. This ensures uniform fragrance, long-lasting efficacy, and user safety:
Precise proportioning: Weigh water-soluble essential oils, food-grade ethanol, deionized water, and emulsifiers (if used) according to the standardized formula.
Homogeneous mixing: First, fully stir and dissolve ethanol and essential oils to form a uniform solution. Slowly add deionized water while stirring continuously for 10–15 minutes until the liquid becomes completely transparent with no delamination.
Sterile filling: Transfer the mixed solution to sterile filling equipment, and accurately inject it into aerosol cans. Simultaneously complete propellant filling and valve crimping to ensure airtightness.
Sealing inspection & spray testing: Conduct leakage tests and spray performance checks on finished products. Confirm no leakage, uniform atomization, and consistent spray intensity before labeling and warehousing.
The molding of solid air fresheners focuses on base material solidification and fragrance locking, with two mainstream technical routes. Strict control of temperature and raw material ratios is required to ensure stable shape, uniform fragrance, and long-lasting effect:
Mix agar, carrageenan, or gelatin with deionized water at a ratio of 3%–5%.
Heat the mixture to 80–90°C while stirring continuously until fully dissolved.
Add 10%–15% plant essential oils and stir evenly to ensure fragrance dispersion.
Pour the mixture into pre-prepared molds and allow natural cooling at room temperature for 2–4 hours until complete solidification.
Demold the products—no additional sealing is required for gel-based solid air fresheners.
Melt beeswax or paraffin wax at a low temperature (60–70°C) in a water bath to avoid overheating.
Add activated carbon powder and plant essential oils to the molten wax, stirring thoroughly to achieve uniform mixing.
Pour the mixture into molds and let it cool naturally to room temperature for shaping.
Demold the finished products—wax-based solid air fresheners have inherent moisture resistance and can be directly packaged.
Component testing and irritation testing serve as core quality control (QC) procedures, integrated throughout the entire production workflow—spanning raw material inspections, semi-finished product assessments, and finished product sampling.
Raw material stage: Screen essential oils, solvents, and bases to ensure no harmful residues (e.g., formaldehyde, benzene series). Verify that concentrations, pH values, and purity meet national/international standards (e.g., REACH, FDA).
Semi-finished product stage: Test the uniformity and stability of mixtures. Check for delamination, precipitation, or color inconsistency, and adjust the formula or mixing process if necessary.
Finished product stage: Conduct skin contact tests (patch tests) and odor irritation tests to ensure no sensitization or respiratory irritation. Test key indicators such as VOCs content, fragrance longevity, and packaging leakage.
Traceability management: Maintain batch-specific inspection reports and establish a traceable QC file system to track raw material sources, production parameters, and test results.
Strict adherence to safety guidelines is essential for air freshener production and usage to avoid health risks and potential hazards:
Operate in a well-ventilated workshop and keep away from open flames, high-temperature heat sources, and electrical sparks (especially when handling ethanol).
Never mix industrial-grade solvents with unlabeled or untested fragrances, as this may produce toxic byproducts.
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and masks to avoid direct contact between raw materials and the skin or respiratory tract.
Store flammable raw materials (e.g., ethanol, essential oils) in explosion-proof containers and designated storage areas.
Do not spray large quantities in enclosed spaces—excessive volatile concentrations may cause dizziness, nausea, or respiratory discomfort.
Keep products away from vulnerable groups (the elderly, children, pregnant women, and pets) and minimize their exposure.
Do not mix air fresheners with disinfectants or other chemicals, as this may trigger chemical reactions producing toxic gases (e.g., chlorine).
Under no circumstances should any type of air freshener be ingested—immediately seek medical care if accidental ingestion takes place.