Linen Spray
Peppermint Lavender Linen Spray
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0.7g peppermint essential oil
1.1g lavender essential oil
5g Polysorbate 20
35g distilled water
0.2g broad-spectrum preservative of choice
Weigh the essential oils and Polysorbate 20 into a small beaker or glass measuring cup, and whisk everything together to combine.
Add the water and preservative, and whisk again—the mixture should become slightly cloudy.
Decant into a 50mL mister bottle
To use, mist over any linens or laundry you’d like to freshen up.
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2 Comments
Khadijah Aliyu
Can I use polysorbate 80 instead?
Irene
Many have been asking about the difference between Polysorbate-20 and Polysorbate-80, and when would it be best to use in your formulations. So, here’s a quick informative guide on these two ingredients that can be used in DIY personal care products!
Polysorbate-20 and Polysorbate-80 are used to combine water (like floral water/hydrosol and distilled water) with oils (like coconut oil, peppermint essential oil and shea butter). They are viscous, water-soluble liquid emulsifiers.
Poly 80 can be used instead of poly 20, However, Polysorbate 80 is much darker than Polysorbate 20. In water ingredients; it can make the product aesthetic look slightly ‘uglier’ than Polysorbate 20.
Polysorbate-20
also known as Tween 20 is pale yellow in color and scentless.
It is used in formulations with less than 5% oils (i.e.: face mist, linen spray, air freshener)
soluble in water and glycerin; partially soluble in oils and butters
Polysorbate-80
also known as Tween 80 is yellow in color, and scentless.
used in formulations with more oils than water (i.e.: cleansing oils, bath bombs, serum)
soluble in water, oils and butters; not soluble in glycerin
How much to use? ( this depends on the type of oils/butters used)
as a guide: The amount of polysorbate used is the same as the amounts of oils used in your formulation. Thus, it’s a 1:1 ratio.
adding oil phase. For example:
You’re making a linen spray that uses distilled water with 5g of geranium essential oil. Therefore, you will need 5g of polysorbate-20 to be combined with the essential oil before adding them to the distilled water.
Another example:
You’re making a facial oil cleanser that uses flower hydrosol with 80g carrier oils. You will need 80g of polysorbate-80 to be combined with the carrier oils before adding them to the floral hydrosol.
How to use in your formulations?
Vigorously mix the polysorbate and oils together before adding this mixture to the rest of your formulation.