Keep Your Camper Smelling Fresh - Trash Can Deodorizers

Trashcan deodorizers are simple and inexpensive to make.

Campers are tight quarters, and odors can build up fast.  How do you keep odors at bay in your small space?  Essential oils and baking soda make an effective solution for odor control.  You can use this solution both at home and on the road. 


First, you will need some baking soda, a silicone mold, and your favorite essential oil scent.  You can get silicone molds from Amazon or other retailers.  I purchased small molds.  Getting a larger mold will work better. 

One of my favorite scents for kitchens is orange or lemon citrus scents.  You can use them alone or combine more than one citrus scent for a blend.  Sweet Orange Essential Oil

These silicone molds were purchased from Amazon and cost less than $10.

To make these trash can deodorizers, you will need:

2 cups of baking soda
6 to 8 tablespoons of water
20 to 30 drops of essential oil of your choice

Mix the baking soda, water, and essential oil.  Start by mixing 6 tablespoons of water.  Add more water if needed.  You want enough water to make the baking soda clump.  Mix thoroughly.  Then pack into the silicone molds.  You will want to pack them tightly.

Baking soda and essential oils are all you need besides a little water and a mixing bowl.

Thoroughly mix to incorporate all of the oil into the baking soda and water.

You are looking for a clumping consistency.

Allow the deodorizers to dry for up to 24 hours.  Carefully unmold and place into an airtight container.  If they crumble when you try to unmold them, allow them to dry longer.  The larger the mold, the longer the drying time. 

Pack the soda mixture tightly into the molds.

As you change your garbage, drop a deodorizer into the can.  It will help keep odors away and emit a nice clean scent.  If you are using a large mold, one will suffice.  A smaller molded shape may require 2 to do the job. 

When you unmold them, store in an airtight container.  I like glass containers.  A mason jar would work fine.  I found the ones I used at Dollar General for $3.  I do think that glass containers work best with essential oils.  And if you are into reusing things you have, save a pickle or jam jar when it is empty.  A little spray paint on the lid and you can make it look any way that you want!

How else can you use these?

1. Put them in a bathroom wastebasket for a fresh smell in the restroom.
2. Drop into a garbage disposal and run to clean and deodorize naturally.
3. Set into a dish in the fridge to freshen and control odors there.

Store them in an airtight container near where you will need them.

If you are trying out essential oils, why not try out using an essential oil diffuser?  You could use the same oils that you use to make the trash can deodorizers.  Use the diffuser to freshen the air in your camper.  This is a great technique for a camper that has been closed up.

How do you keep your camper smelling fresh and clean?  Essential oils and baking soda do this naturally without the unwanted chemicals.  Afterall, you like the great outdoors.  Natural products help product the environment that we enjoy spending so much time in.

For more ideas and projects, visit my Projects Page.  There are so many fun camping related projects that you can do to make camping more fun and exciting.  Once you get started, you may find yourself down a bit of a rabbit hole, but that is okay too.  Camping projects are the best and make me long for more time outside in Peggy Sue!

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