In this article, Fixer Upper star, Joanna Gaines, writes on her Magnolia blog tips about making the house smell wonderful by using simmer pot on the stove. She suggests combining dried herbs, essential oils, with a touch of fresh citrus in a heavy pot with water, land leaving the pot to simmer on low heat for a few hours. Making sure to check on it every half-hour, as well as a caution to not leave the fragrant concoction unattended and certainly, do not drink though the temptation may be strong!
While the suggestions are quite lovely for someone who has the time and inclination to babysit a pot of herbs on the stove, for the sole purpose of making the house smell good, we have a few suggestions that require less time and a watchful eye.
Of course, our favorite way to scent the home is using essential oils delivered by diffusers, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and methods.
Reed diffusers are a one and done method, you simply put a few drops of your favorite essential oils like Lavender and Thyme in a bottle with reeds which will absorb the aroma and gently disperse into the air. It is a low-key way to scent a space but also does not require much in the way of maintenance other than occasionally adding a few refresher drops to the bottle.
Another way to scent spaces in your home with essential oils is to place a few drops of individual oils or a blend onto cotton balls then place them discreetly in the linen closet, inside shoes, or your dresser drawers. The oils will gently scent and keep your things smelling fresh. For a great sneaker or shoe odor buster, try a blend of Eucalyptus and Lemon essential oil. For dresser drawers try Geranium, Rose, or of course Lavender essential oils.
For more impact and punch, you can use an essential oil air diffuser that pumps the oils into the air in a micro fine mist, much like a nebulizer. This type of diffuser is also set and forget and is great for covering large spaces with a built-in regulator so you can meter and conserve your oils.
For those who want additional ways to scent the home, you may also make a blend of aromatic dried herbs and place the dry mixture in a muslin herbal sachet, drawstring pouch. Tuck away in different areas of the home to offer a light fragrant addition.
Do you have a favorite way to fragrance your home using essential oils or herbs? Let us know, we love to hear your ideas!
For kits and more ideas, go to the Apothecary Shoppe website.
