Tips and Recipes for a Fresh-Smelling Home

When throwing a party, the bulk of my planning revolves around three main things: the tasty foods and craft cocktails/mocktails I will be serving; the parts of my home that need deep cleaning before the big day; and how to make the space smell and feel fresh and inviting. Of this list, my favorite part is choosing my home fragrance! People often underestimate the power of scent or just don’t know where to start. With that in mind, I'm sharing some of my favorite tricks and recipes for freshening up a space.

Recipes for a Fresh-Smelling Home

Small Space Odor Eliminators:

A simple mixture of baking soda and citrus essential oils helps to combat odors under sinks and in small spaces. I love to put this mix in small, wide mouth glass jars topped with a sprouting screen—it works brilliantly! You can also make scented sachets filled with your favorite aromatic herbs and essential oils and tie them wherever a boost may be needed. One of my favorite places for these is where my spare hand towels are kept.

Candles

Candles are one of my favorite ways to freshen up my space, but it’s important to keep in mind their limitations and safety concerns. Candles should only be used in places where they cannot get knocked over by children, pets, or the clumsy person in your family. Also avoid areas where there are curtains or other flammables.

How do you choose the best candle? Buying candles is great because it’s easy, but finding truly natural ones can be difficult. Making your own custom candles is so much more fun! Plus it will give you the flexibility to create the exact scents you’d like to “invite to the party.” They also make wonderful homemade gifts! Here are two great recipes to try:

Wax Melts

These delightful little fragrance melts are a flame-free alternative to candles, making them a little bit safer. They can also be made at home for customized and natural home fragrances. Here are a few recipes to get you started:

Essential Oil Diffusers:

Diffusing oils into your home is another great way to bring pure essential oils to your space.* This method tends to create a strong aroma since vaporized essential oils are dispersed into the air. There are lots of single essential oils you can choose from, or you can make easy homemade blends for added balance and depth. Try these winter blends for your next holiday party:

Tips for a fresh home_Simmer Pot

Stovetop Potpourri (also called a Simmer Pot)

These lovely aromatic boils are quite fun and create a nice conversation piece at gatherings. By simply adding your favorite aromatic herbs and spices to a large pot and leaving it on low heat, you can diffuse a delightful aroma in your home. Some of my favorites include cinnamon, clove, star anise, and rosemary. One of the downsides to this method, however, is that you will need an available stove burner or a wood-burning stove. If you only have access to a stove burner, that can be a hindrance when you have a lot of cooking to do. If you do have a wood-burning stove, you’ll have to watch the heat more closely and add water regularly.

Herbal Potpourri

One of the more subtle ways to invite fragrance into your home is with natural potpourri. These delightful little jars of botanicals help to give a boost to small areas that need a little pick-me-up without an overpowering scent. This is a good solution if you have guests with aroma allergies or sensitivities. Another perk of DIY potpourri is the beautiful aesthetic that you can incorporate into your seasonal décor.

Toilet Deodorizers and Restroom Sprays:

Last but not least, you will want your guests to be as comfortable as possible if nature calls. These two quick and easy restroom recipes are great to have on hand in your bathroom. When your guests use them, they will really appreciate your thoughtfulness!

DIY “Poo-Pourri®” Toilet Spray:

Homemade "Thieves®" Room Spray (Add 24 drops of Shield Essential Oil Blend to one ounce of 190-proof vodka, and one ounce of distilled water.)

More Tips for a Fresh-Smelling Home

- Deep Cleaning: Even if your home is very clean, I always recommend a top-to-bottom clean of high-bacteria areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms. In addition to this, sterilizing garbage and recycling bins can really help eliminate deep-rooted odors and allow your fragrance of choice to shine.
- Don’t underestimate the power of fresh air, even in the cold weather months. Open your windows as often as possible, even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Venting the space will help move stagnation and bring in fresh and invigorating air.
- Other Aromas in the Space: You want the fragrances you choose to meld with other things you have going on. For example, don’t light a tropical candle during a traditional holiday meal. Some aromas just don’t play nicely together.
- Allergies and Sensitivities: While many people assume they only have to worry about food allergies when hosting a gathering, adverse reactions can occur with scent in the same way. For instance, someone who is allergic to cinnamon may also have a reaction to a cinnamon candle. It’s important to consider your guests when choosing an appropriate blend.

I hope this list helps you to find new ways to create a warm and cozy, or bright and invigorating ambiance in your home.

*Caution: Essential oils are generally not indicated for use with infants or young children, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with serious medical conditions, or certain pets—especially cats. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy has an excellent webpage on safety information for essential oils and is a wonderful resource.

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Tips and Recipes for a Fresh-Smelling Home