Who doesn’t love coming home to a nice-smelling space? A good home fragrance acts like an accessory and adds character, making your space feel extra homey. However, constantly buying candles and air fresheners can start getting expensive, and lots of them are actually polluting your home with chemicals. So how do you get a great-smelling home without resorting to unnatural and toxic scents? These 19 all-natural fragrances are super simple to make, much cheaper than buying fragrances and will actually improve the air quality in your home. From candles to diffusers, the best part about making your own air fresheners is that you can control the exact scent you want.
1. Five-Minute Reed Diffuser: If you already have a empty jar at home, you can DIY this reed diffuser for under $10. Plus, you get to make washi tape flags. Not only will you get a good smell, but you’ll have a room freshener that you won’t mind putting in a visible place. (via Sugar and Cloth)
2. All-Natural Room Scents: If you rocked the DIY herb garden this summer, now you have a great way to use all those happy herb plants. Bring fresh ingredients like freshly squeezed lemons, rosemary and a touch of vanilla to a simmer on the stove and your house will be filled with the smells of summer. (via Thistlewood Farms)
3. DIY Beeswax Candles: Beeswax candles give off a light honey-ish scent, and they also have a purifying effect on the air in your house. They give off negative ions when burned, which neutralizes bad ions like allergens, dust and airborne toxins. So not only are you adding good smells, you’re actually cleaning the air whenever you burn these lovely candles. (via Hello Natural)
4. Homemade Lilac Room Spray: Why is it that the best-smelling blooms only seem to be around for a couple weeks? Keep the heavenly scent of lilacs within arm’s reach all year long with this amazing DIY room spray. And yes, you get to go buy vodka for this project. (via At the Picket Fence)
5. Coffee-Scented Candles: There’s no better smell than coffee in the morning. Why not chase those good vibes with a coffee candle that you can burn all day long? Use this morning’s coffee grinds to make these all-natural soy wax candles. (via The Lovely Drawer)
6. DIY Incense Holders: If you love the smokey smell of incense, make some pretty little holders that you can use to set up around pesky areas like a litter box or mud room. These simple stands are both easy and effective. And although they may not be great at catching ash, you could always sculpt a little lip around the stand if it bothers you. (via Almost Makes Perfect)
7. DIY Tea Scented Candles: If you’ve never made candles before, don’t worry! It’s actually really simple and the scents are so much better than the fake smells of those cheap candles from the store. Plus you get to personalize the smell. To make DIY tea-infused scented candles, all you have to do is pick your favorite flavor of tea. (via Fall for DIY)
8. DIY Scented Wax Bars: Aromatic wax bars can be put in dresser drawers to keep linens or socks smelling fresh. You can also hang them in the closet, or in the bathroom to release scent with the steam of the shower. Pick your favorite scents, like relaxing lavender or spicy cinnamon, depending on the mood you want. (via eHow)
9. Homemade Air Freshener: What bathroom doesn’t need a little extra freshness? Perk up your WC with a spritz of lemon-rosemary air freshener that works double duty as an antibacterial without worrying about any harsh chemicals. (via Blah Blah Magazine)
10. Fruit Rind Air Freshener: Instead of just masking bad smells, use sea salt to actually get rid of them. Fill half of a citrus fruit with sea salt and set it somewhere where it can soak up all the bad odors; just make sure it’s out of reach of little fingers or furry friends. Replace the rind and salt every few days to keep the space fresh and odor free. (via Free People)
11. Lavender Lemon Candles: When life gives you lemons, it’s time to find some lavender and make these bad boys. ASAP. (via Brit + Co)
12. Garbage Disposal Cleaner: If your garbage disposal is emitting some cringe-worthy smells, then send a burst of citrus down the drain to clean up that situation. Homemade and natural, these pellets are made with vinegar and orange peel to neutralize everything icky lurking down there. (via Hello Natural)
13. Handmade Room Spray: Once you start experimenting with all the possible scents, you can give these away as lovely little hostess or housewarming gifts. This orange cinnamon combo gives a sweet and spicy room fragrance that is welcome all year long. (via Little Green Dot)
14. DIY Potpourri: Collect flowers all summer long, and then at the end of the season combine them to make a pretty bowl of potpourri that will have your home smelling lovely. There is really no wrong way to make potpourri, and you can have a lot of fun experimenting with different kinds of flowers, herbs, spices and oils. (via Free People)
15. Gel Air Freshener: Instead of setting out a gel that’s full of chemicals, let the kids help you make these awesome gel fresheners. They’ll have a blast choosing the color and scent, and you’ll love knowing that you’re making your home a tiny bit healthier. (via Homespun Love)
16. Deodorizing Disks: If you’re struggling to keep a diaper bucket or garbage can fresh, you need to make a batch of these little odor destroyers. They’re easy to make and work great for deodorizing closets, bathrooms or anywhere else you have an unwanted smell. And while they’re not the prettiest, they are hardworking, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need to fight bad odors. (via Reading My Tea Leaves)
17. Refrigerator Deodorizer: Take the little box of baking soda you’ve been using in the fridge and give it an upgrade with a dab of essential oil. Obviously you don’t want a super strong scent that affects the food in your fridge, so stick with citrus smells instead of florals and start with less and add more as needed. (via Hello Natural)
18. DIY Reed Diffuser: Candles are great for setting a mood, but you can’t leave them burning when you’re not around. A reed diffuser is brilliant for giving your home a fresh scent 24/7, and you’ll be amazed to know how inexpensive and easy it is to DIY your own. Instead of paying a lot, mix up your own concoction of essential oils to create the perfect smell for your home. (via eHow)
What are your favorite home scents? Share your tricks for making your home smell lovely and fresh in the comments below!
