DIY: Making Your Own Smelling Salts

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to clear your head? Then making your own smelling salts might just be the perfect solution for you! Used for centuries to revive and rejuvenate, smelling salts are a powerful mixture of ammonium carbonate and aromatic compounds that can help you to quickly and effectively stimulate your senses.

While many people may think that smelling salts are a thing of the past, this old-fashioned remedy is actually still quite popular today. Whether you’re feeling faint, experiencing a headache, or just need to wake up from a drowsy afternoon, smelling salts can provide the perfect boost. And best of all, making your own smelling salts is easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of know-how, you can create a powerful pick-me-up that will have you feeling refreshed and revived in no time.

Materials Needed

Smelling salts are a lifesaver, especially when you need to wake up or revive someone. Making them is surprisingly simple and you need only a few ingredients which are readily available.

Ammonium Carbonate

The first and most important ingredient is ammonium carbonate. This chemical compound has the power to rejuvenate the senses like nothing else. While you may find it at your local pharmacy or hardware store, it’s important to note that it should always be handled with care due to its toxicity.

Essential Oil

The second ingredient you’ll need to make smelling salts is essential oil. It’s up to you how much or which type of essential oil you choose to use. Lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus are some of the most popular choices. They not only provide a refreshing scent but can also have calming or invigorating effects.

Small Container

You’ll also need a small container with a tight-fitting lid to store your smelling salts. Glass or plastic containers with screw-on lids are ideal.

Measuring Spoons

To ensure that you add the correct amount of ingredients, you’ll need measuring spoons. A set with 1/4, 1/2, and 1 teaspoon measurements should suffice.

Bowl and Spoon

You’ll also need a bowl and spoon to mix your ingredients together. These can be made of glass, plastic, or metal.

Protective Gloves

When working with ammonium carbonate, protective gloves are a must. They help to prevent skin irritation or burns that may result from contact with the chemical.

Eye Protection

It’s also a good idea to wear eye protection in case of accidental splashes or spills.

Labeling Material

Once you’ve made your smelling salts, it’s important to label the container with its contents. You can use adhesive labels or a permanent marker to do this.

Storage Area

Lastly, it’s crucial to store your smelling salts in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children and pets.

Clean-up Material

In case of spills or accidents, it’s advisable to have clean-up material like paper towels, a broom and dustpan, or absorbent granules nearby.

Ingredients Needed to Make Smelling Salts

Making your own smelling salts is easy and inexpensive. You will need to gather several ingredients, most of which can be easily obtained from your local drugstore or grocery store. Below are some of the essential ingredients needed to prepare the mixture.

Ammonia Solution or Ammonium Carbonate

The primary ingredient in smelling salts is ammonia, which can be used in either ammonia solution or ammonium carbonate form. Ammonia solution is readily available in drug stores and can be purchased in a 10% concentration. Ammonium carbonate is a white crystalline powder that is more potent and smells more intense than ammonia solution.

Baking Soda or Sodium Carbonate

Baking soda is a common household ingredient and is used in making smelling salts to buffer the ammonia. Alternatively, you could use sodium carbonate, which is a much stronger alkaline than baking soda.

Essential Oils

Essential oils act as odorants and add a pleasant fragrance to the mixture. You can use any essential oil of your choice, but some preferred scents include peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus oil.

Distilled Water

Distilled water is preferred in making smelling salts as it does not contain any contaminants that may affect the purity and efficacy of the mixture.

Glass Mixing Bowl

A glass mixing bowl is preferred when making smelling salts since it does not react with the ingredients, which could result in a reaction.

Airtight Container

You will require an airtight container to store your mixture to prevent it from losing potency over time. A small glass jar with a tightly fitting lid is recommended.

Gloves and Goggles

When working with ammonia, it is necessary to put on gloves and goggles for protection against accidental spills.

Pestle and Mortar

A pestle and mortar are used to crush ammonium carbonate into a fine powder when preparing it for use.

Funnel

A funnel is used to transfer the mixture from the bowl to the airtight container, minimizing any spills or waste.

Labels

Labels are essential when storing the mixture. They help to remind you of the contents of the container and the date it was made.

By gathering all the necessary ingredients and tools before starting, making your own smelling salts will be fast and straightforward.

Ingredients for Making Smelling Salts

Making smelling salts requires only a few basic ingredients, most of which are readily available in a drugstore or supermarket. Here are the ingredients you will need:

Using Ammonia for Your Smelling Salts

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent, irritating odor. It has many industrial and household applications, including as a cleaning agent and a refrigerant. In smelling salts, ammonia is the active ingredient that helps to revive the person who has fainted or passed out. When inhaled, ammonia irritates the nasal passages and triggers a reflex action in the body that causes the person to breathe deeply and wake up.

Distilled Water: Why It’s Important

Distilled water is water that has been purified by removing all impurities and minerals. It is important to use distilled water in making smelling salts because tap water or other types of water may contain impurities or mineral deposits that can react with the ammonia and produce a noxious odor or even poisonous gas. Using distilled water ensures that the solution will be pure and safe to use.

Essential Oils: Adding Fragrance and Aromatherapy Benefits

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that have a distinctive fragrance and many health benefits. In smelling salts, essential oils are used to add a pleasant scent to the mixture and provide additional aromatherapy benefits. Some essential oils, such as lavender and peppermint, have a calming and soothing effect on the mind and body, while others, such as eucalyptus and rosemary, have a stimulating and invigorating effect.

Cotton Balls: The Perfect Medium

Cotton balls are the perfect medium for the smelling salts because they absorb the solution and hold the fragrance for long periods. When making smelling salts, the cotton balls are soaked in the solution and then placed in a small container, such as a pouch or a small jar, that can be carried with the person. When the person needs to be revived, they can simply take a whiff of the cotton ball and inhale deeply to awaken the senses.

Thanks for Sniffing Along with Us!

Congratulations on learning how to make your very own smelling salts! We hope you enjoyed this DIY project and have a newfound appreciation for this age-old remedy. Don’t be shy to experiment with different scents and containers to create your own personalized smelling salts. Thank you for reading and be sure to come back soon for more fun and fascinating reads!