Natural home fragrances. Non-toxic air fresheners
Smell is a powerful, primal sense. One of the first things you notice on entering a home is how it smells. A pleasant scent makes a house feel comfortable and welcoming. Nobody wants to spend time in a house with disagreeable smells. However, the most common ways of scenting our homes can be harmful.
Artificial air fresheners, whether sprays or diffusers contain all kinds of chemicals that are hazardous to human health — not to mention the health of the environment!
Luckily there are plenty of natural options to help you create a fragrant home. Here are some of our favourite ideas.
Essential oil sprays
Ditch the chemicals and make your own scent spray if you like being able to do a quick spritz to freshen a room. All you need is water, essential oil, and some rubbing alcohol (vodka will do in a pinch!) Take a spray bottle, and add a few drops of essential oil of your choice and a couple of tablespoons of alcohol. Combine in the bottle and shake well. The essential oil will create a lovely scent while the addition of alcohol ensures the spray evaporates quickly.
Oil burners
These are another great, chemical-free way to enjoy your favourite scents. Simply buy a small aromatherapy oil burner and, whenever you need to lift the mood of a room, add a few drops of essential oil to the diffuser, light and allow it to gently fill your space. To make things even simpler, just boil a pot of water and add a few drops of oil.
Houseplants
Plants are nature’s great chemical engineering plants. They freshen the air and many actively absorb toxic chemicals. Here are a few plant tips via Wellness Mama:
Orchids
All varieties of orchids are quite pretty, but the level to which they filter the air varies. For instance, the dendrobium orchid features plain white blooms and removes alcohols, acetone, formaldehyde, and chloroform from the air.
Rosemary
Rosemary is both a culinary powerhouse as well as an air-purifying plant. Its antimicrobial properties make it a good choice for cleaning the air.
Bamboo Palm
Bamboo palms are effective at removing chemical contaminants from the air like formaldehyde and benzene. They also help to keep the air moist, which is especially helpful during winter months when heaters can produce overly dry indoor air.
Dried Herbs
If looking after live plants seems like a bit too much on your plate you can always use dried herbs to lend a lovely scent to your home. Simply wrap a bundle of dried herbs, such as sage, lavender, or Ibiza wild rosemary, with a pretty ribbon and hang or place in the room. A pot-pourri of dried herbs is also pretty in a simple ceramic dish or vase.
What is your favourite natural scent? Share your thoughts in the comments!
