These easy stovetop room scents can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
These DIY Room Scents Make Your Home Smell Amazing
Updated on Feb. 11, 2019
Walking into a room that smells incredible can instantly lift your spirits—depending on the scent, it can make you feel energized, relaxed, cozy or refreshed. But instead of spending loads of money on pricey candles or chemical-laden sprays, it’s so easy to make your own intoxicating room scents using ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.
Here are three different room scent recipes you can whip up on your stovetop in just minutes:
Spring Lemon
What you’ll need:
- 1 lemon, sliced and seeded
- 2 to 3 stems of dried lavender
- 2 to 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Directions:
Place lemon slices in a small saucepan. Add lavender and rosemary to pan and pour in enough water to cover the contents by 1 inch. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low and simmer, adding more water as needed, for 1-2 hours.
Dreamsicle
What you’ll need:
- 1 blood orange, halved, seeded and sliced
- 1 vanilla bean, split, or 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 5 to 6 leaves of fresh mint
Directions:
Place orange slices in a small saucepan. Add vanilla and mint to pan and pour in enough water to cover the contents by 1 inch. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low and simmer, adding more water as needed, for 1-2 hours.
Fresh Cucumber
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 medium cucumber, sliced
- 1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 5 leaves of fresh basil
Directions
Place cucumber slices in a small saucepan. Add ginger and basil to pan and pour in enough water to cover the contents by 1 inch. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low and simmer, adding more water as needed, for 1-2 hours.
Turn them into a homemade gift
The scents make great gifts, too. Just add your ingredients to a mason jar, fill with water, screw on the lid tightly, and gift wrap for a friend. Include a tag with written or printed instructions for how to simmer on the stovetop to make your pal’s home smell instantly invigorating.
More Recipes Made for Gifting
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Hot Pepper JellyWe enjoy this fiery hot pepper jelly spread on crackers with cream cheese. It also makes a terrific holiday gift. For a milder flavor and different color, substitute a green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers for the habaneros and green food coloring. —Richard Harris, Kingston, Tennessee
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Ranch Dressing MixWant to make the best ranch dressing? Make it at home whenever the craving strikes by keeping this homemade ranch dressing mix in your pantry.
Berry CurdI've always loved strawberries. Each time they're in season, I think of new and interesting ways to use them. I spoon this strawberry curd over just about everything, from waffles and pancakes to cake and ice cream. —Margo Zoerner, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Oat Chocolate Chip CookiesI love these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I made this recipe just before we showed our house. Not only did the people buy the house, but they requested the recipe. — Nancy Fridirici, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Bonus: Learn how to reuse bottles and jars.
Homemade Spicy Hot SauceI created this spicy recipe one day using what I had available from my garden: hot peppers, carrots, onions and garlic. The carrots make this recipe stand out. —Carolyn Wheel, Fairfax, Vermont
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