Katrina Rosales
There are many ways to make your house smell good. While candles are an obvious option, there are other ways to fill your home with a pleasant aroma. For example, you can simmer water with citrus slices and herbs, like lavender or mint, and let the steam carry the scent throughout your house. You can also use commercial air fresheners, such as aerosol sprays, pump sprays, gels, or plug-ins. Alternatively, you can try natural options, such as placing a bowl of vinegar or baking soda in a room to absorb odors.
Ways to pump fragrance throughout the house
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial air fresheners | Aerosol sprays, pump sprays, gels, candles, and plug-ins |
| Natural options | Simmering water with citrus slices and herbs, using indoor plants, vinegar, charcoal, baking soda |
| Candles | Strategically place them in areas where fabrics can absorb the scent, like the linen closet |
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What You'll Learn
Commercial air fresheners
Aerosol Sprays
Aerosol air fresheners use a propellant and fragrance, packed under pressure in a sealed container. When the valve is opened, the fragrance is forced through the spray nozzle, creating a mist that will stay in the air for about 12 minutes. They are ideal for larger, open areas with good airflow.
Pump Sprays
Pump sprays are another option for commercial air fresheners. These typically come in a bottle with a trigger or pump mechanism that dispenses the fragrance. They can be used to quickly freshen up a room and are easy to apply directly to problem areas.
Gels
Gel air fresheners are usually packaged in small containers that can be left open in a room to release the fragrance over time. They are often designed to be placed in specific areas, such as under the sink or in the corner of a room, and can provide a subtle scent to the surrounding area.
Candles
Scented candles can also be considered commercial air fresheners. They release fragrance into the air as they burn and can create a cosy atmosphere while neutralising odours.
Plug-Ins
Plug-in air fresheners, such as the Air Wick Vibrant, use essential oils to fill your home with fragrance. They are designed to be left in one place, plugged into an electrical outlet, and can provide continuous scent dispersion.
It is important to note that while commercial air fresheners can enhance the scent of your home, they should be used in conjunction with proper cleaning and odour prevention practices for the best results.
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Natural air fresheners
There are many natural alternatives to commercial air fresheners, which can be made at home with just a few ingredients.
A simple and effective natural air freshener can be made with essential oils and baking soda. Add about 25 drops of your chosen essential oil to two tablespoons of baking soda and stir. Lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus are popular choices for their refreshing scents. Once combined, pour the mixture into water and funnel it into a spray bottle. Give the bottle a good shake, and your natural air freshener is ready to use. Stand in the middle of the room and spray upwards towards the ceiling a few times, changing the angle slightly to help the scent disperse.
Another option is to use vinegar, which can help trap cooking and cigarette smoke odors. Place a bowl of apple cider or distilled white vinegar in a corner of the room. Deactivated charcoal and baking soda can also be used in the same way to absorb odors without adding a scent to the air.
For those who prefer to use essential oils, there are many ways to diffuse them throughout the house. One option is to add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser, which will release a fine mist of fragrance into the air. Alternatively, you can make your own natural perfume by blending essential oils with alcohol. This can be done by mixing 7ml of high-proof grain alcohol with 3 different essential oils of your choice. After a month, the fragrance should be ready to spritz.
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Candles
If you're making your own candles, you'll need to choose a wax. Soy wax is a good option as its neutral scent allows other fragrances to shine through. Beeswax is another popular choice as it has a naturally sweet aroma, although it doesn't hold additional fragrances as well as soy. You can also use a natural soy/coconut wax blend or paraffin wax, although paraffin is made from petroleum and can release chemicals and soot. Once you've chosen your wax, melt it using a double boiler and monitor the temperature with a thermometer. The ideal temperature for adding fragrance is around 185°F (85°C).
When it comes to fragrance, you can use essential oils, fragrance oils, or even perfume. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts derived from flowers, leaves, stems, and roots. They come in a wide range of scents, from calming lavender to energizing peppermint. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are synthetically created and offer a wide range of scent options. You can also use dried fruits, such as orange peel or jhinga fruit, to add a natural, fruity scent to your candles.
Once your wax is melted, it's time to add your fragrance. The amount you use will depend on the strength of the scent and the volume of wax. Typically, a ratio of 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax works well. If you're using essential oils, add about 2 teaspoons for every 4 ounces of wax. For commercial fragrance oils, use only 1 fluid ounce for every 1 pound of wax as they have stronger scents. Stir the fragrance into the melted wax and then pour the mixture into heat-safe containers so it can set. Attach a wick to the bottom of each container and let the wax cool and harden.
If you don't want to make your own candles, you can add fragrance to pre-made candles. Light the candle and let it burn until there's a large puddle of melted wax around the wick. Then, add a few drops of your chosen fragrance to the melted wax using a dropper or pipette. Be careful not to get the scent too close to the flame. The scent should start to diffuse as the candle keeps burning.
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Plants
There are many fragrant indoor plants to choose from, including the hoya, a climbing plant with waxy, sweetly scented pink or white flowers and thick, glossy, dark green leaves. The hoya is a low-fuss plant that can bloom on and off throughout the year if it gets enough light. The flowers produce a lot of nectar, so it's important to protect your floor and furniture from potential stickiness.
Orchids are another popular choice for indoor plants. The oncidium orchid, in particular, is easy to grow and offers a range of bloom colours, sizes, and fragrances. The Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance' variety has a distinct chocolate scent, while the Twinkle 'Fragrance Fantasy' smells more herbal. Orchids require medium to bright light, high humidity, protection from drafts, and temperatures of 70-85˚F.
Citrus plants are another option for adding a sweet scent to your home. Certain varieties of orange, lemon, and other citrus fruits can make good houseplants, provided they get enough light. They will also reward you with the sweet scent of their flowers, and if you're patient, you may even get to enjoy homegrown fruits. The Citrofortunella mitis, for example, produces tiny white, star-shaped flowers with an orange blossom fragrance. Place them in a sunny location and consider putting them outdoors in the summer.
Other fragrant plant options include English or French lavender, which can be grown in pots outdoors and brought inside for weeks at a time while in bloom; gardenias, which have a strong scent and creamy white blooms that will last for several weeks; and Arabian jasmine, which produces white flowers with a sweet jasmine scent.
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Cleaning
Keeping your house clean is the first step to ensuring it smells pleasant. Routine basic cleaning is essential to reducing unpleasant smells. Proper cleaning, making repairs to prevent leaks, pest control, and frequent removal of clutter and garbage will help keep your home smelling lovely.
Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal in your kitchen sink can be a common source of bad odours. To get rid of the odour, squeeze a dollop of lemon-scented dish soap down into the disposal, run some water, and turn it on. You can also grind lemon or lime rind slivers through the disposal, followed by lots of water.
Natural Products
Natural products from your pantry can work wonders in absorbing bad odours. Place an open bowl of apple cider or distilled white vinegar in a corner to help trap cooking and cigarette smoke odours. Deactivated charcoal and baking soda are also great at absorbing malodors.
Commercial Air Fresheners
Commercial air fresheners are a great way to pump fragrance throughout your house. They are formulated with different odor-eliminating technologies to alter the pH of odour molecules and/or odor-trapping technologies to alter the way we perceive odours. They come in various forms, including aerosol sprays, pump sprays, gels, candles, and plug-ins.
Simmering Potpourri
Simmering water in a small saucepan with citrus slices and herbs, like lavender or mint, is a great way to fill your house with a sweet scent. The steam carries the fragrance throughout your house, and the combination can be easily customized depending on the ingredients you have on hand.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to fragrance your home, including commercial air fresheners, candles, and natural options. Commercial air fresheners are sold as aerosol sprays, pump sprays, gels, candles, and plug-ins. Candles are an obvious option, but for increased efficiency, try placing a few unlit candles in unexpected places like your linen closet, so the scent can absorb into your fabrics.
Simmering water with citrus slices and herbs like lavender or mint on the stove will carry a sweet scent throughout your house. You can also place an open bowl of apple cider or distilled white vinegar in a corner to help trap cooking and cigarette smoke odors.
Basic cleaning is essential to reducing unpleasant smells. Proper cleaning, making repairs to prevent leaks, pest control, and frequent removal of clutter and garbage will help keep your home smelling lovely. You can also use indoor plants to clean the air and add a pleasant fragrance, like jasmine, eucalyptus, and gardenias.
To get rid of odors in your garbage disposal, squeeze a dollop of lemon-scented dish soap into the disposal, run some water, and turn it on. You can also grind lemon or lime rind slivers through the disposal, followed by lots of water.
