How to Make Your Own Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

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I am not a medical professional. Talk to your doctor before attempting any treatments that may affect your health.

Warning: Always apply a test patch before using.

I fell in love with pillow sprays when I was staying at a fancy hotel that provided the wonderful Deep Sleep Pillow Spray by This Works in their free toiletries collection. A quick spritz on my pillow before laying my head down really helped send me off to sleep. Deeply breathing in the calming fragrance of lavender really helps me relax. It was only a little bottle, but it was enough to get me hooked and it soon became part of my bedtime routine.

However, it soon ran out and when I went to purchase some more I was shocked to see how much it cost. So I set about making my own deep sleep pillow spray for a fraction of the price. It only requires three ingredients and if you don’t like lavender, then just create your own scents. This deep sleep pillow spray makes a great DIY gift idea.

Key Ingredients for Making Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Essential Oils

In this recipe I used a 2% dilution which is considered the ‘ideal’ amount for most adults in topical applications. I used this handy dilution guide from Using Essential Oils Safely. So basically that works out to be 10 – 12 drops per fluid ounce/about 28ml of carrier oil. If you are trying to work out how many drops this is for your container size, then use this handy dilution conversion guide.

Essential Oil Suggestions

Lavender Essential Oil: I love the smell of lavender essential oil. It’s relaxing and calming scent, so perfect for helping you de-stress and unwind. As it will also come into contact with your skin when sprayed on your pillow, lavender essential oil is a good choice as it is soothing and great for irritated skin.

Vetivert Essential Oil: Vetivert essential oil helps you feel restorative and relaxing and has been referred to as the oil of tranquillity. Aromatherapists consider the oil to be grounding and soothing. Vetivert is used as a fixative for perfume blends, which means it holds onto other fragrances that it has been blended with and releases them slowly. So when you are mixing your essential oils to get the scent you like, leave it to develop for a few minutes before making your final decision to add more or less. Vetivert essential oil is very expensive, which is why I haven’t used it in this recipe.

Chamomile Essential Oil: Roman Chamomile essential oil is one of the most soothing essential oils. It’s scent has a calming effect on the mind which helps your mind and body to relax. If you have trouble sleeping, then try drinking chamomile tea before heading off to bed.

Bergamot Essential Oil: If you drink Earl Grey tea, then you are probably familiar with bergamot. Bergamot essential oil is calming and can help with insomnia by inducing relaxation and reducing agitation. It blends well with lavender. Although bergamot is generally safe, it is photosensitizing, meaning it can increase the risk of sunburn and rash. So make sure you use sunscreen on the skin it has come in contact with during the day.

Frankincense Essential Oil: Frankincense essential oil can quiet the mind and provide a feeling of calm and tranquillity. Frankincense blends well with bergamot and lavender essential oils.

Essential Oil Blend Suggestions

• If you want to recreate the original Deep Sleep Pillow Spray by This Works, then blend together lavender, vetivert, and chamomile essential oils.
• Another wonderfully calming blend is lavender, bergamot, and frankincense essential oils. Mix in equal quantities.

De-ionised Water

Tap water is not suitable to use in this recipe as it can contain minerals and other impurities, so it will cause your spray to have a very short shelf life. For this recipe I used de-ionised water, but you can also use distilled water.

Make sure that you buy pure de-ionised water, as a lot of products sold in the supermarket contains fragrances and/or preservatives such as the potentially dangerous methylisothiazolinone, a synthetic biocide which causes a high rate of allergic reactions.

Witch Hazel or Vodka

You need to use unscented witch hazel, Isopropyl  or rubbing alcohol, or vodka which acts as a preservative and a carrier. The witch hazel will initially have a strong scent but it will evaporate. For this recipe I used vodka as that’s what I already had in my cupboard!

What Equipment for Making Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Container

To extend the life of your deep sleep spray, I recommend using a dark glass bottle, as plastic can deteriorate and react to the alcohol. A dark bottle will protect it from exposure to light. For this recipe, I used a 100ml amber glass bottle with an atomiser like this one. The recipe makes 92ml so that there is enough space in the top of your bottle to shake up the ingredients before spraying it.

Other Equipment

• A glass measuring jug with a spout to mix your ingredients.
• A mini measuring glass is helpful to measure the water and vodka. However, if you don’t have one, you could use a medicine measuring cup or even that little measuring cup that comes with your iron.
• A small funnel like this one will make filling the bottle much easier. Or if you have a steady hand, just use a measuring jug with a pouring spout

Labelling

• Use these free printable labels to stick on your bottles of Deep Sleep Spray.

Sterilise Your Equipment

To ensure good hygiene and a longer shelf life of your deep sleep pillow spray, take the time to sterilise your equipment. There is a variety of ways to do this, here is a guide on the various sterilisation methods.

How to Use Your Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Before spraying, give the bottle a good shake to redistribute the ingredients, otherwise the oils settle on top. Spritz your pillow a few times and allow a minute for the alcohol to evaporate and the essential oil aroma to develop. Lay your head down on your pillow and slowly inhale and exhale deeply through your nose. Continue your deep, slow breathing for 5 minutes, as this will help calm you and aide in getting off to sleep.

Make Your Own Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings 92 ml

Equipment

• 1 glass measuring jug with pouring spout
• 1 small funnel
• 100ml amber glass bottle with atomiser
• 1 mini measuring glass

Ingredients

  

• 70 ml de-ionised water You can also use distilled water
• 20 ml unscented witch hazel or vodka I used vodka for this recipe
• 40 drops essential oil I used lavender essential oil, but you can use a mix - see my suggestions above.

Instructions

 

• Before commencing, sterilise your equipment.
• Measure all ingredients and combine in a glass jug with a pouring spout.
  
• Pour the mix into your glass atomiser bottle. Use a small funnel to avoid spillages.
  
• Give your bottle a good shake each time before spritzing.
  

Notes

Tips

• This recipe only makes about 92ml. I didn't want to completely fill my 100ml bottle because I wanted to leave room at the top so I could easily shake it up to redistribute the ingredients before spritzing.
• Stick one of my free printable labels to the bottle.