How to Make Smelling Salts: Easy Steps (With Pictures)

What Smelling Salts Are (and What They Aren’t)

Traditional smelling salts are ammonia-based compounds that release ammonia gas when exposed to moisture.
That sharp, pungent odor irritates the lining of your nose and airways, which can cause you to inhale more deeply and feel
briefly more alert. It’s a reflex response not a secret cheat code for superhuman strength.

Modern “athletic” smelling salts are often marketed like they’ll turn you into a focused, laser-eyed legend. Reality check:
evidence for direct performance benefits is limited, and medical experts warn they can come with risks (especially if used
too close, too often, or in situations where a person needs real medical evaluation).

Safety First (Seriously)

Before we touch ingredients: ammonia is an irritant. Used improperly, it can irritate or burn sensitive tissue
in your nose, eyes, throat, and lungs. DIY smelling salts can be made more responsibly, but only if you treat them like the
“chemical tool” they are not like a trendy candle.

Quick safety rules

• Ventilation matters: mix and test in a well-ventilated area.
• Distance matters: never stick the jar under your nostrils. Waft from several inches away.
• Not for kids: keep away from children and pets.
• Avoid if you have asthma/COPD or breathing issues: irritation can trigger symptoms.
• Never use on head injuries: smelling salts can mask symptoms and delay proper evaluation.
• Don’t mix cleaners: never combine ammonia products with bleach (dangerous gases can form).
• Stop if it burns: discomfort is a warning sign, not a “toughness test.”

Supplies & Ingredients

The simplest DIY version uses ammonium carbonate (also called baker’s ammonia). This compound can slowly
release ammonia as it breaks down, especially with a little moisture. Your goal is a small, controlled amount in a sealed jar.

What you’ll need

• Ammonium carbonate crystals or powder (baker’s ammonia / hartshorn)
• Small airtight glass jar (1–2 oz is plenty) with a tight lid
• Distilled water (a few drops; you don’t want a swamp in your jar)
• Cotton ball or small cotton pad (to hold fragrance separately)
• Optional scents: peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender essential oil (use sparingly)
• Gloves and eye protection (recommended)
• Label + marker (because “mystery jar” is how horror movies start)

Choosing your jar size

Smaller is safer and easier to control. A tiny jar also limits the total amount of ammonia you can release at once. If you’re
thinking, “What if I make a mason jar version?” no. Respectfully: absolutely not.

Easy Steps: How to Make Smelling Salts

This method keeps fragrance mostly separate from the ammonium carbonate, which helps prevent clumping and lets you control
scent without accidentally “over-wetting” the salts.

1. Step 1: Prep your area and label the jar

   Work near an open window or fan. Put on gloves. Label your jar with:
   “Smelling Salts (Ammonium Carbonate) Do Not Inhale Closely” plus the date.

   

2. Step 2: Add ammonium carbonate to the jar

   Add 1 tablespoon of ammonium carbonate to a small jar. If you’re new to smelling salts, start smaller
   (like 2 teaspoons). You can always strengthen later your nose is not a “measure once, cry forever” situation.

   

3. Step 3: Add a cotton ball for scent (optional)

   Place a cotton ball on top of the crystals (or tuck it into the lid area). Add 2–6 drops of essential oil
   onto the cotton not directly onto the crystals. This keeps scent from turning your salts into a damp clump.

   Good starter scents: peppermint or eucalyptus. Avoid “hot” oils that can sting more
   (like cinnamon or oregano). Your sinuses are not asking for artisanal suffering.

   

4. Step 4: Activate gently with a few drops of distilled water

   Add 3–8 drops of distilled water to the crystals (aim for “barely damp,” not wet). Moisture helps release
   ammonia vapor. If you add too much water, you can create a messy slurry that’s harder to control.

   

5. Step 5: Seal, wait, and test safely

   Close the lid tightly and wait 5–10 minutes. To test, open the jar at arm’s length and waft
   air toward your nose from 6–12 inches away. One short sniff is enough. If it feels harsh, back off.

   

6. Step 6: Adjust strength if needed

   Too weak? Add a tiny amount more water (1–2 drops) or a bit more ammonium carbonate, reseal, and wait.
   Too strong? Leave the lid cracked for a few seconds in a ventilated area, then reseal. (Do not “air it out”
   for minutes you’ll just gas your kitchen and earn a dramatic household nickname.)

   

Scent & Strength Variations

Variation A: “Classic Peppermint” (starter-friendly)

• 2 teaspoons ammonium carbonate
• 3–5 drops peppermint oil on cotton
• 3–6 drops distilled water on crystals

Peppermint can make the smell feel “cleaner,” but don’t confuse that with “milder.” It can still be sharp. Start conservative.

Variation B: “Eucalyptus Wake-Up” (pungent + menthol vibe)

• 1 tablespoon ammonium carbonate
• 2–4 drops eucalyptus oil on cotton
• 4–8 drops distilled water on crystals

Variation C: “Low-Drama” (less scent, gentler approach)

• 2 teaspoons ammonium carbonate
• No essential oils (or 1–2 drops lavender on cotton)
• 3–5 drops distilled water

If you’re sensitive to fragrances, skip the oils entirely. Smelling salts are already loud you don’t need them to also be
“loud in a new language.”

Storage, Shelf Life, and Refreshing

Store your jar upright, tightly sealed, and away from heat and sunlight. Think “cool, dry, and boring.”
Boring storage is good storage.

How long do homemade smelling salts last?

It varies with jar quality, how often you open it, and how much moisture is inside. In general, a well-sealed jar can stay potent
for weeks to months. Frequent opening makes it fade faster.

How to refresh a weak jar

• Add 1–2 drops of distilled water, reseal, wait 5 minutes, and retest (wafting only).
• If it’s still weak, add a small pinch of ammonium carbonate and reseal.
• If it’s wet or clumpy, you likely used too much water start a fresh batch with less moisture.

How to Use Smelling Salts Safely

The safest “dose” is the smallest one that does the job. Here’s the simplest approach:

1. Open the jar in a ventilated area.
2. Hold it 6–12 inches away.
3. Waft air toward your nose.
4. Take one short sniff, then close the lid.
5. Wait and see how you feel before doing anything else.

When you should NOT use smelling salts

• If someone is unconscious (call emergency services instead).
• If you suspect a concussion or neck injury (get proper medical evaluation).
• If you have asthma or breathing conditions (avoid the trigger).
• If you’re feeling dizzy due to unknown cause (address the cause, not the symptom).

If exposure goes wrong

If someone inhales too much and has coughing, breathing trouble, severe burning, or eye irritation: get to fresh air immediately.
If symptoms are serious or persist, seek medical help. If the jar contacts skin or eyes, rinse with plenty of water.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Putting the jar right under your nose

This is the #1 way people turn “quick sniff” into “why does my face feel like it’s on fire?” Keep distance and waft.

Mistake 2: Over-wetting the crystals

More water doesn’t mean “better.” It often means messy, unpredictable strength and a jar that’s harder to manage. Use drops, not pours.

Mistake 3: Using household cleaning ammonia

Don’t. Cleaning ammonia solutions can be much harsher than what you want for controlled smelling salts, and the exposure risk skyrockets.
Stick to ammonium carbonate and tiny moisture.

Mistake 4: Mixing chemicals (especially ammonia + bleach)

Never mix ammonia products with bleach or other cleaners. If you’re making smelling salts and you also feel like deep-cleaning your bathroom,
do those activities on separate days preferably in separate zip codes.

Mistake 5: Using smelling salts to “power through” injury symptoms

Smelling salts can make you feel alert enough to ignore what your body is telling you. That’s not toughness; it’s bad decision-making with a soundtrack.

FAQ

Do smelling salts actually boost performance?

They can make you feel more awake and “switched on,” but that’s different from reliably improving strength, speed, or endurance. Any benefit is typically
short-lived and may be more about perceived readiness than measurable output.

Are smelling salts legal?

In most places, they’re legal to buy and use, but rules can vary by sport, league, school, or workplace. If you’re an athlete, check your organization’s policies.

Can I make them “extra strong”?

You can make them stronger, but you probably shouldn’t. The goal is controlled exposure, not a nasal exorcism. If you need more and more just to “feel it,” that’s a sign
to step back and reduce use.

What’s the difference between ammonium carbonate and ammonia?

Ammonium carbonate is a solid compound that can release ammonia gas as it decomposes (especially with moisture). Ammonia is the pungent gas itself (or a solution of the gas in water).
For DIY smelling salts, using ammonium carbonate in small amounts is a more controlled approach than working with concentrated ammonia solutions.

Can I add other ingredients like baking soda or salts?

Keep it simple. Adding random powders usually doesn’t improve safety or function, and it can make reactions less predictable. The classic “jar + ammonium carbonate + tiny moisture” approach
is easiest to control.

Real-World Experiences: Lessons From the Gym & Beyond (Extra )

The first time I watched someone use smelling salts in a gym, it looked like a ritual. The lifter had their belt cinched,
chalk on their hands, and the focused stare of someone about to negotiate a mortgage with gravity. Then a tiny jar came out.
The lid cracked open. A quick waft. One short sniff. And suddenly they went from “quietly determined” to “I have a personal
vendetta against this barbell.” It was dramatic and also a perfect example of why smelling salts get misunderstood.

What changed in that moment wasn’t muscle fiber density or secret testosterone unlocks. It was behavior: posture snapped into
place, breathing got sharper, and the lifter looked more alert. That’s the core appeal smelling salts can create a fast “wake-up”
sensation that feels like flipping a switch. The problem is that “flipping a switch” can tempt people into flipping off common sense.
I’ve seen the same lifter get sloppy by taking the jar too close, coughing mid-setup, and then wasting the attempt because their eyes
watered like they’d just watched the ending of a sad movie. (Tragic. But also… predictable.)

Another lesson shows up in team sports. In a sideline setting, smelling salts can look like a quick fix: someone seems dazed, someone
offers the jar, and suddenly the athlete looks more awake. That’s exactly why medical professionals warn against using ammonia inhalants
as a “reviver” when there’s any chance of head or neck injury. The goal after a possible concussion isn’t to make someone look normal
for a minute it’s to evaluate them properly. If smelling salts temporarily sharpen alertness, they can create false confidence and delay
appropriate care. In other words, they can make a serious situation look less serious, which is the opposite of helpful.

On the DIY side, the biggest “aha” moment people have is realizing how little water is needed. Beginners often assume “more moisture = more vapor,”
and technically, yes, moisture helps release ammonia but too much turns your jar into a clumpy mess that’s harder to control and unpleasant to handle.
The sweet spot is “barely damp.” A few drops. That’s it. You want consistent potency, not a jar that behaves differently every time you open it.

Scent is the second big learning curve. Peppermint and eucalyptus can make the experience feel cleaner, but strong essential oils can also add their own
sting, especially if you overdo them. The best approach is scenting the cotton ball, not the crystals. It’s like putting a diffuser in the room instead
of dumping perfume into your cereal. (Sure, both are “scent,” but only one lets you keep friends.)

The final lesson is the simplest: smelling salts are a tool, not a lifestyle. If you reserve them for occasional use a heavy single, a rare “need-to-focus”
moment they stay effective and less risky. If you’re cracking the jar before every set like it’s your emotional support ammonia, it’s time to step back.
Better training habits (sleep, hydration, warm-ups, caffeine timing, breathing practice) beat “nose yelling” every single day.