At the end of a long, busy day, there’s nothing better than crawling into bed, lying your head on soft pillows, and letting your body melt into rest. But here’s the truth: for many people, falling asleep isn’t as simple as closing their eyes. The mind keeps racing, stress from the day lingers, and the body just won’t fully let go like it should. 

That’s where a relaxing pillow spray can work wonders. These soothing sprays are infused with calming scents that help reduce stress, quiet the mind, and create a gentle signal to the body that it’s time for rest. The best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune on store-bought sleep sprays. You can easily make your pillow spray at home from simple and affordable ingredients 

And the good news is that with a spray base, making your own DIY pillow spray is simpler than ever. You won’t have to fuss over distilled water, witch hazel, or vodka, and still have to shake it for the oils and water to mix every time you want to use it. A spray base is pre-formulated to hold essential oils beautifully, meaning all you have to do is add your favorite scents, shake, and spritz. The oils mix with the water perfectly after that.

In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about making a relaxing pillow spray with a spray base, discover which essential oils work best for sleep, and see how to build a full nighttime routine. Plus, I’ll share how to elevate your relaxation with Sleep & Beyond’s organic bedding because a soothing scent plus dreamy bedding equals pure bedtime bliss.

Why Pillow Sprays Are a Bedtime Essential

Before we jump into the how-tos of this spray, let’s talk about why pillow sprays are so powerful and important to every nighttime routine.

1. Aromatherapy for Relaxation
   Essential oils like lavender and chamomile are proven to calm the nervous system, lower heart rate, and reduce stress. When you inhale these scents as you drift off, they naturally encourage deeper rest.
2. Bedtime Association
   Using the same scent each night creates a psychological link between that aroma and sleep. Over time, your brain learns to recognize it as a signal to relax.
3. Mood Enhancer
   A quick spritz instantly transforms your bed into a cozy, spa-like haven. It’s a tiny touch of luxury at the end of your day.
4. Customizable & Affordable
   When you DIY with a spray base, you can adjust the scents to your liking, and it costs only a fraction of what you’d spend on premade sprays.
   
   

What You’ll Need to Make a Relaxing Pillow Spray

Unlike older DIY methods that require distilled water and witch hazel (and risk spoiling faster), today, let’s keep it simple with a ready-made spray base.

Ingredients:

• Spray base – This is your foundation. It’s already formulated to safely hold essential oils, extend shelf life, and prevent separation.
• Essential oils – Choose your calming scents (we’ll cover the best ones in a moment).
• Optional: glycerin – Helps the scent linger longer on fabrics.
  
  

Tools:

• A glass spray bottle (amber or cobalt blue is ideal to protect the oils).
• A funnel to make pouring easier.
• A dropper or small measuring spoon for oils.
  
  

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Your Own Pillow Spray

Here’s a simple recipe you can start with:

Ingredients:

• 4 oz spray base
• 15–20 drops lavender essential oil
• 5–10 drops of chamomile essential oil
• 5 drops cedarwood essential oil
  
  

Instructions:

1. Use a funnel to pour your spray base into the glass bottle.
2. Add your essential oils directly into the base.
3. Close the bottle and shake gently to blend.
4. Spritz lightly on your pillow, sheets, or even in the air around your bed about 5–10 minutes before sleep.
   
   

That’s it! 

Best Essential Oils for Sleep & Relaxation

Now for the fun part: choosing your oils. Here are some of the best essential oils to add to your pillow spray:

• Lavender Essential Oils– The king (or queen!) of sleep oils. It reduces anxiety and promotes deep, restorative sleep.
• Chamomile Essential Oils– It’s gentle and soothing, and works perfectly for easing stress and tension.
• Cedarwood Essential Oils – Is earthy and grounding, and pairs beautifully with lavender essential oils.
• Bergamot Essential Oils – This is a citrus oil that surprisingly calms instead of energizes.
• Ylang-Ylang Essential Oils – It’s sweet and floral, and it’s wonderful for reducing stress.
• Clary Sage Essential Oil – Balances mood and supports relaxation.
  
  

Blend tip: Use no more than 25–30 drops of essential oils per 4 oz spray base. Too much oil can be overwhelming and lead to a headache.

Custom Blend Ideas

If you’re not sure where to start, try these pre-made blend recipes for your pillow spray:

• Lavender + Chamomile + Cedarwood
• Lavender + Bergamot + Clary Sage
• Lavender + Ylang-Ylang + Chamomile
• Cedarwood + Sandalwood + Lavender
  

Seasonal options can also be fun. For example, vanilla and peppermint in winter, or lavender and lemon in spring.

Safety Tips for Using Pillow Sprays

• Always store your spray in a glass bottle. Essential oils can degrade plastic over a long period.
• Spray lightly; too much can be overpowering.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Store in a cool, dark place to preserve the oils.