Chemical loaded plug-ins, noxious air freshener splashes and candles filled with paraffin are just some of the ways people try to give their home a beautiful aroma – but in reality, these store-bought products are simply adding to the toxic load already in our homes and surroundings in general. However, there are ways to make your home smell marvelous by making your own all-natural, cheap, remarkably scented products, such as reed diffusers, air-freshening sprays, candles, potpourri and so much more.
This article unveils incredible ideas you can make for yourself at home. Plus, many of these DIYs would make fabulous gifts for your loved ones!
Reed diffusers lightly perfume the air but they can also be incredibly expensive and, at times, you cannot find the scent of your like. Yet, they are so simple to make using just a few elements and some dollars. Here’s how…
A reed diffuser bottle! The options in containers can be of different types, by your home décor and your fondness. Here’s how…
Materials:
- a reed diffuser bottle
- necessary oils (e.g. lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus)
- reeds or bamboo skewers
- vodka
- water
Directions:
- Fill the reed diffuser jar with water, add a few tablespoons of vodka and essential oil of your choice. Use the ratio of 12 drops of essential oil per 1/4 cup of water. Mix the components.
- Place one end of the reeds into the solution, allow to soak, and then shift the reeds so the opposite end is immersed. You’ll need to rotate the reeds weekly.
Make Your Deodorizing Spray
Store-Bought Deodorizing Sprays are deemed to freshen up your home and fabrics – but it’s stuffed full of toxic chemicals that are hazardous to our health. Plus, it can be pricey.
It is so easy to make that you’ll never have to purchase it again.
Materials:
- a spray bottle
- distilled water
- one teaspoon of baking soda
- 12 drops of essential oil – such as lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, orange or anything you prefer
Directions:
- Add the baking soda to a bowl, add the essential oil and mix.
- Using a funnel, pour the baking soda into the spray bottle and top up with distilled water.
- Shake and spray! Easy and fun to make!
Making your home, apartment, or office a definite place to be is sometimes as easy as making it smell good. Scents can affect a person’s attitude or professional performance, as stupid as that might sounds.
Studies made on this subject show that by adding lemon scent to air conditioners or heaters in offices, makes the mind more alert, consequently improving potency. It makes sense why particular consumers spend thousands of dollars on candles, oil diffusers, scent sprays, and more.
However, you don’t have to run to the market if you want to make sure your place is smelling great. These simple DIY (Do It Yourself) plans are not only affordable, but they’ll make your house smelling great in no time.
Here are 5 simple ways to freshen up and surround yourself with the aromatic scent and smells
1.) Lemon-Rosemary Simmer Pot
To make this easy concoction, all you need is: -A small stockpot -Water -Rosemary -1 lemon -Vanilla extract Fill the pot about 2/3 full with water. Add 1 lemon (sliced) and a few sprigs of rosemary. Then, add the 1/2 tsp of vanilla. Let this mixture stew all day, it’ll fill your rooms with a pleasant scent. You can use the same mixture for about 2 days, but you’ll want to change it after that, or else it’ll smell a little weird.
2.) Scented Wood Blocks
Making scented wood blocks is easy. Just make sure you have: -Woodblocks -Scented oil or perfume -Small paintbrushes. By either painting or spraying it on, cover the woodblocks in the oil/perfume. After covering them, you can even put them in a closed container with extra oil. Shake it up to make sure they are coated. Let it sit in the oil overnight so that everything is absorbed. Then you’re done! You can even refresh your wood blocks over time by simply adding more oil to them.
3.) Orange Peel Candles
You thought oranges were just for eating? Think again. You can make simple candles out of them (without wasting the fruit). -An orange -Knife -Oil (canola, vegetable, or olive) – The steps are simple, too.
- Start by cutting your orange in half.
- Take your knife and run it around the sides of the orange. This will loosen the fruit from the peel.
- Take a fork and scrape out the inside of the orange. BE Alert to NOT remove the inside stem. This is the white piece that rests in the center of the orange. It is rather tough, so just continue to scrape away the fruit around it.
- Once the inside of your orange is nice and clean, you can fill it ¾ of the way full with oil. Remember you can use any oil of your choosing.
- Let the oil sit in the orange for about 45 minutes. It is important to let the oil sit and the stem of the orange (the white piece) absorbs it. This is what will help keep it burning well.
- In 45 minutes, you can try lighting your orange. You will need a candle lighter to do this as a match or cigarette lighter does not stay lit long just to get the job done. Hold the lighter to the stem and let it heat the stem. You will need to do this for 2-3 minutes.
- Let the stem rest for a moment. It should be nice and brown/black at this point. To the touch, it should feel dry now.
- Try igniting the stem. This may take a few seconds. You should hear a little crackling and then the flame should take off on its own.
4.) Gel Air Freshener
If you love air fresheners but don’t want an open flame in your home, this DIY gel air freshener may be just for you. You’ll need: -Heatproof jars (like wine bottle mason jars) -4 packages of unflavored gelatin -Food coloring -Salt -Essential oils/fragrance
- Clean and prepare your jars. (This entire recipe filled up a one-pint jar, but you can use several smaller jars.)
- Add a few drops of coloring and approximately 30 drops of essential oil or fragrance (the more you add, the stronger it will be).
- Boil 1 cup of water on the stove. Pour in your gelatin packets into the pot.
- Make sure to keep whisking or the essence will clump up.
- Once softened, add 1 cup of cold water and 1 tablespoon of salt. Stir it all in.
- Pour into your prepared jars and stir.
- 7Let it sit overnight until the gel is set.
- Time to finish your scented gel jar anyway you choose!
5.) DIY Reed Diffusers
Oil diffusers are also a simple solution to fill your home with an amazing fragrance without using heat or an open flame. You don’t need much, either: -Vase -Baby Oil -Essential Oil -Bamboo Skewers (or rattan diffusing sticks for better scent) -Ribbon & Washi Tape (optional)
- Fill your jar with essential oil (as much as you want)
- Fill the rest of the vase with baby oil
- Place washi tape at the edge of the skewer and fold over (for decoration)
- Place skewers in the vase and tie a ribbon round to finish. The oil will spread into the room up through the skewers. You’re done!
