DIY Natural Home Scents – The Munir Group – Brantford Realtors
scents for houses in brantford

DIY Natural Home Scents

I love that fresh, lemony scent that lingers after you clean the house. And, the smell of a vanilla candle filling the room makes me feel safe and relaxed. Its’ no wonder certain aromas are scientifically linked to our mood and sense of calm. Have you ever tried aromatherapy? This is the theory that specific scents influence the brain’s emotional centres, having a sedative and relaxing effect.

Unfortunately, conventional candles, air fresheners, and room sprays contain chemicals that can be damaging to your respiratory tract. When burned or released these chemicals become air borne and easily inhaled, making them more problematic. Of course you still want your home to smell fresh and to reap the mood enhancing benefits of your favourite scents, so keep reading! Here are recipes and tips for alternative air fresheners. Enjoy!

Deodorize Carpets

Talk about getting to the root of the problem! If you notice yourself lighting a candle to cover up the smell of something unpleasant, try to find where it’s coming from. Rugs and carpets absorb scents so be sure to give them a scrub every so often. Small mats can usually be tossed in the washer and steamers work great for some carpets and rugs, but if you find the smell is still hanging around, try this remedy from  OneGoodThingbyJillee.com: Mix borax, baking soda, and essential oils or spices in a bowl, and then shake over your carpets. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes and simply vacuum up for a fresher room.

Simmer Simmer!

If you love the Christmastime aroma this will be your ideal scent! Add orange slices and cinnamon (sticks or powder) to a boiling pot on the stove, turn down the heat and let simmer. Your senses will love you for it!

To remove any strong food odors, simmer about 6 slices of lemon with a handful of cloves in a pot of water on the stove. Invigorating!

Rose Water

Have you ever smelled rose water? It’s so light and floral-y which is perfect for spring! Simply add a few drops of rose oil in a dish of water. To make the oil and water mix add, drop by drop, a solubilizer (available in the cosmetic isle at health food stores). Finish it off by floating rose petals on the top and you’re good to go! This would also look pretty in a clear glass bowl on the bathroom counter.

Easy Peasy Air Freshener Jars

These are ideal for small spaces and even your car! All you have to do is poke small holes in the lid of a mason jar, add half cup of baking soda, and 4-6 drops of essential oil. Cap it and away you go! To keep things smelling fresh add about 4-6 extra drops of essential oil to the jar every month.

Flowers

What an original ideal (lol)! But honestly, make it a Saturday morning ritual! Go to a farmer’s market, select a pretty bouquet (or mix and match to make it your own), cut the ends and place in your favourite vase. Your house will be smelling amazing in no time!

room-scent-spray for brantford houses

Pick Your Scent Room Spray

Sometimes your bathroom or the shoe closet can use a little freshening up. Here is a fantastic recipe for a room spray and want to know the best part? You can choose whichever scent tickles your fancy! It’s just like Febreze!

  1. Simply mix about 1 tablespoon of witch hazel with about 30 drops of the essential oil of your choosing in a spray bottle.
  2. Give the bottle a swirl- 10 times.
  3. Top off the bottle with about ½ cup of distilled water.

There you have it, a healthy alternative for fixing a stinky space!

potpurri to scent your brantford houses

Potpourri

Potpourri is not just for your nana! I also love the look of colourful potpourri in a pretty bowl in a bathroom. And, it’s easy to make! BONUS!

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut the stems off the flowers you would like to use (roses naturally are very fragrant), slice up citrus fruits, and fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or lavender) and lay on the cookie sheet.
  3. Mix 10-15 drops of your favourite essential oil with one tablespoon of water and place in a spray bottle. Spritz the potpourri and place in the oven.
  4. Allow the potpourri to dry for about 2 hours or until the contents are brittle but not burnt.
  5. Remove from oven, add another spritz of essential oil and viola!
essential oils room scents

Note on Essential Oils: Not all essential oils are safe. In fact, in this essential oil craze, I think more often than not essential oils are misused. There are a few points to note about essential oils:

  1. Danger to Pets: there are some essential oils which are dangerous to pets including tea tree and eucalyptus. And it’s not just topically dangerous. Even just diffusing these can put your pet at risk.
  2. Improperly Diluted: I made the error of believing that all essential oils can be used on your skin and in foods. But essential oils have to be sufficiently diluted! To learn how to dilute your essential oils, visit https://blog.planttherapy.com/blog/2018/09/11/how-to-dilute-essential-oils-a-comprehensive-guide/ Some essential oils are already diluted when you purchase them and are food and skin safe. Be sure to check before use!

Enjoy the recipes and reap the benefits of a happy, fresh home! What are your favourite home scents?