Particularly, in the wintertime, our homes are closed up like huge closets. We are keeping warm, staying in more, and rarely allowing any fresh air to flow. Of course, in the summer, those with central air can experience the same deal. A house can gather all sorts of smells that aren’t so pleasant. In the markets there are a myriad of choices of fragrant sprays from which to choose, but many can irritate sinuses and allergies. Also, if you have children and pets, you don’t want them breathing in the chemicals.
So, here are 6 naturals ways to make your home smell amazing:
1. Create your own scent jars
You can use a Mason style jar and fill it with your favorite natural scents like, sliced oranges, apples, lemons, basil, and mint. Use two or three jars of various fragrant fruit and herbs, or make one for each room. Fill each jar with water to preserve your scents for a few days, then clean the jars and refill. By the way, fresh strawberries, if you can get them, is a beautiful smelling room freshener.
For this you can use a crock pot or a large soup pot. If using a crock pot, fill it with aromatic herbs, fruit juices, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. For spring and summer, you may want to choose fresh lemons and herbs, like rosemary and thyme. Once you choose your flavors and scents, turn the crock on low to get it going, then you can turn it to simmer or warm, whichever setting your crock has available. When using a soup pot, fill it just as you filled the crock, but turn it on and keep it on the lowest heat setting for safety purposes. You also want to avoid cooking your aromatics.
3. Make your own olive oil candle
Yes, olive oil has yet another use to add to its ever-growing list. It works beautifully as a room freshener. You need a good candle jar, such as a Mason jar or one of the same quality, some olive oil and a wick. If you end up loving the olive oil candle or simply making your own candles, buying wicks in bulk is pretty cheap. The only other item you’ll need is a paper clip or small piece of wire and you’re on your way to creating a savory olive oil scented home. You can get the instructions here!
4. Essential Oils
Essential oils are a wonderful way to scent your home. There are different grades and quality types, but the aromatic grades are just fine for this purpose. They are very simple to use; you can place a few drops in a small crock or pot on simmer. If you have a diffuser or wouldn’t mind purchasing one, essential oils are great when they are diffused. Put a drop in your carpet, mop the floors with a few drops into a bucket of water, or pour some in a small dish and sit it on a countertop or bookshelf.
5. Freshen up your home with an herbal wreath
It’s very simple and economical to make your own wreath. Any craft store or neighborhood superstore will have wreath making materials. To make an herbal wreath, just choose your favorite herbs and plants to put together, combined with a few splashes of color, whether flowers or ribbons, and sit down with a cup of tea and design your herbal wreath. For a complete list of materials and instructions, visit this home crafts site.
6. Air purifying Himalayan Salt Lamp
Himalayan salt lamps are all the rage right now, and sometimes a home doesn’t need a strong fragrance but more of a pure, clean smell. The air purifying Himalayan salt lamp is perfect for keeping a home smelling fresh the natural way without chemicals and tons of work. If you have pets, you know that odors naturally come with them. Having something in the home that is beautiful and keeps the house smelling odor-free is the ideal.