Do you hear the scary warnings about all those traditional air fresheners? Ever get headaches from the strong scents? Perhaps it’s time you took a more natural approach to making your home smell fresh and wonderful. And it all comes down to these trendy things called essential oils!
The most common way to use essential oils is in a diffuser but you can also use them in cleaning solutions or even make your own linen sprays. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so you only need a several drops to make your home smell fresh and inviting. They are also all-natural and you never have to worry about an overwhelming smell. Even the recipes for mixing up sprays and solutions are simple.
Of course the easiest method is to fill up your diffuser with water and a few drops of essential oil and turn it on. Ultrasonic diffusers create a fine mist that carries the scent of the oil through the room. If you want to use a diffuser in a large room, make sure to buy the appropriate diffuser that has a higher output. Diffusers even come in all kinds of wonderful designs that you can incorporate into your home decor seamlessly. Many have different LED light functions and some can even play music! Be sure to regularly clean your diffuser to ensure its longevity and to help it diffuse the oils better. A soft, small brush will help you to gently sweep debris off the atomizer. If your water is hard, try using distilled water in your diffuser to cut back on the calcified gunk that builds up.
Linen sprays are another way to add a fresh scent to your home fabrics. Spray it on your sofa, throw pillows and your bed linens. Just fill a small spray bottle with 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) of water, 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of witch hazel or vodka and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil or oils. Try citrus scents such as lemon, orange or grapefruit for a lively, uplifting scent. Or try soothing lavender for your bed linens to help you relax and lull you into sleep. When using citrus essential oils, be sure to store your linen spray in a glass bottle.
For an easy way to make your home smell great while getting it clean, add several drops of peppermint and lemon to your favorite cleaning solution. Citrus oils have a natural antibacterial property to them plus they smell bright and clean, especially when paired with peppermint.
Make your own oil diffuser with a glass jar that has a narrow opening and some sticks. You can buy reeds specifically made for oil diffusers, or you can just go outside and gather some sticks from your yard! Add your essential oil, warm tap water and the sticks to your bottle. You will want to use about 20 to 30 drops of essential oil for every 8 ounces of water. Try combining lavender and eucalyptus.
If you want to scent the whole house at once, use a dropper to add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to your air filters in your home. Every time the fan comes on, your entire home will be filled with a wonderful scent. During the holiday season, try a combination of ginger, cinnamon and clove for a fresh cookies out of the oven smell. During summer, try combining orange and jasmine for a gentle floral scent.
Here are a few other great essential oils to make your home smell good
- Chamomile: When combined with lavender, the scent is subtle and soothing.
- Rosemary and Sage: These aromatic herbs can be paired with lemon and peppermint to give your home a fresh scent.
- Tangerine: Another fun citrus scent. Try mixing it with peppermint and eucalyptus. *We LOVE citrus smells in our home!
- Ylang Ylang: Try mixing this essential oil with lavender and jasmine for a dreamy floral scent.