Natural and Homemade Scents

Commercial Air Fresheners are something that doesn't belong in my household press. I don't see the appeal of spraying a concoction of chemicals into the air to mask the smell of something else, and over-exposure to these types of sprays is harmful to our respiratory health. If I want a nice scent to the air, I like to keep it natural. Below are some of the natural ways you can keep your home smelling fresh.

SPRAY AIR FRESHENER

You'll need:

A spray bottle

200 ml water 2-3 tablespoons vodka, 15 drops of essential oil - any you like, mix if you have some that work well together. I LOVE lemon with orange.

*Vodka helps the oil to mix with the water.

TIP: Shake before you spray. Make sure your bottle gives a misty spray, not a water-gun effect (it happened with me, shot it right at the wall. Whoops!)

You should label your bottles when you're done. It's so easy, no mess, no chemicals, no hassle. It isn't even expensive. You also get the benefit of being able to reuse your spray bottles, minimising waste.

Here's a link to Holland and Barrett's pure essential oil collection. If you get them at full price, they're definitely pricey. If you're clever, you'll wait until there's a sale. I got my last 10ml bottle of vanilla (it was blended, mixed with jojoba oil, so not as strong) for ~ €3.40.

Remember, essential oils are 100% natural, if you use synthetic oils, it kind of defeats the purpose. The aim is: minimise the number of chemicals we use in our lives. Especially when it's completely unnecessary.

Also, remember that essential oils are insanely strong in fragrance, so you won't need much.

DIFFUSION

I you like scented candles,or burning oils, here's a natural alternative. Spread a fragrant combination of essential oils throughout your home by using a diffuser. Mix a few drops of your favourite essential oils into a portable or plug-in diffuser and let the natural fragrance spread. Simple.

Here's some instructions to make a DIY diffuser:

You'll need:

A glass bottle with a narrow opening Essential oil Sticks or reeds Garden clippers

How to assemble your diffuser:

You can use diffuser reeds, which are made for diffusing scented oil, or you can use sticks from trees, brush, or bushes. Dried twigs and branches are perfect for diffusing too.

Cut your dried sticks to the height you desire with garden clippers.

Simply fill a glass bottle (or jam jar, mason jar, etc.) with drops of essential oil (use whichever essential oil you like) and fill the container to the top with warm tap water. Place the sticks in the bottle and you’re done!

Tip: Use 20-30 drops of oil for every 200 ml of water. Use one essential oil, or mix and match oils to make a custom mix.

THE POWER OF BAKING SODA

You can use baking soda by itself as a fridge deodorant, but baking soda can also be one of your best weapons against other nasty indoor smells. Sprinkle a small amount in your bins, or under the bathroom sink to trap odours.

You can also make little jars with baking soda and essential oil. Essential oils can be strong, so you can alter this to your liking.

You'll need:

4-5 drops of essential oil

2 tblsp of baking soda

A glass jar

Cloth for the top, and an elastic band.

Put it wherever you like, and use your favourite scents. Lemongrass is nice. You can even get pure citronella oil, and use it as a fly repellent.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and I hope your home will be smelling great soon without the use of unnecessary chemicals!

- Kayla

#natural #DIY #scents #home