There are many products out there to help you keep your home smelling fresh – plug-in devices filled with chemicals, toxic air fresheners and paraffin candles among them. However, there are many natural alternatives that will leave you with a great-smelling home without having to introduce unwanted commercial products into your immediate environment. Below are five suggestions on how to do this.
Jelly Air Fresheners
You will need:
- 1 ounce gelatin
- 2 cups cold water
- 20-30 drops essential oil of choice
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- Option food coloring if desired
Bring one cup of water to a boil, then whisk in the gelatin. Add salt and other cup of water and whisk again. Add essential oil and food coloring to a heat-proof glass jar, then pour the hot gelatin mixture into the jar and stir to combine. Allow to cool, then place around the home for a lovely scent.
Reed Diffuser Bottles
You will need:
- A reed diffuser bottle
- Essential oils
- Reeds or bamboo skewers
- Vodka
- Water
Fill the reed diffuser bottle with water, a few tablespoons vodka and your preferred essential oil (about 12 drops per ¼ cup water). Mix well. Place one end of the reeds into this mixture, let it soak in, then reverse so that the opposite end in submerged. You should rotate the reeds once a week.
Natural Room Scents
Another great way to make your house smell wonderful naturally is to simmer a combination of fruits, herbs, extracts and spices on your stovetop in a pan to release the aroma slowly and let the scents fill your home. Popular combinations for these rooms scents include 1) oranges, cinnamon and cloves, 2)Lemon, rosemary and vanilla, 3) lime, thyme, mint and vanilla, 4) orange, ginger and almond extract and 5) pine twigs, bay leaves and nutmeg.
Homemade Air Freshenerr
To save yourself a ton of money and avoid exposure to unwanted chemicals, make your own air fresheners at home. To make, add a teaspoon full of baking soda and 12 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle full of water and mist all over the house.
Homemade Aromatherapy Candles
You will need:
- 8 ounces beeswax
- Essential oil or oils of choice
Put small amount of wicking in a glass jar (you can tape the end of the wick to the top of the jar to make sure it stays in place), then set aside. Using a double boiler, slowly melt the beeswax, then add the essential oil and stir to mix well. Slowly add the wax mix to a glass jar, being careful not to disturb the wick. Allow to cool and remove tape from wick, then enjoy!
These are five ways in which you can enjoy a scented home using natural oils rather than harmful chemicals that are not only expensive but can jeopardize your health. Once you get used to these alternatives, it is unlikely you will want to go back!
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