Cooking smells, pets, active teens and little ones in diapers all make up a healthy, lively home. But the aromas that they contribute aren’t always completely pleasant. Air fresheners can mask and even remove odors, but not everyone is fond of the chemicals and accelerants they often contain. Folks have been using dried and fresh herbs to smell their homes for centuries; herbs give you the advantages of air fresheners with none of the drawbacks.
Kitchen
Rosemary, a fragrant herb, which will not only add flavor to your meals, but when grown in a pot on a warm window sill it will scent your entire kitchen. Geraniums are technically herbs and are available in a variety of scented varieties, such as orange, chocolate and nutmeg. Anise hyssop includes a sweet, smell reminiscent of licorice. Neutralize kitchen odors by simmering lavender and fresh lemon slices, cinnamon sticks and lime slices, or honey and orange pieces in a small pot of water on the bottom heat setting. Fill clean pint jars with your choice of citrus and herbs. Then cover them and keep them in the fridge for up to a week so you always have something fragrant to simmer on the stove.
Living Area
New herbs in quite pots scent your living room when adding warmth and a touch of colour to your decor. Place potted new herbs in bright spots or close lamps where the warmth will help to bring out their aroma. Put dried herbs in shallow bowls with rose petals and lavender sprigs, and sprinkle the bowls around the room. Fill a tiny slow cooker, potpourri pot or candle warmer halfway with water and sprinkle in dried or fresh herbs, citrus slices and stick cinnamon. Examine the water often, adding more to make certain it does not all disappear.
Bedroom
For centuries, people have used dried herbs and flower petals to scent linens and clothes. Dry new herbs by hanging them in bunches in the bedroom to smell the bedroom since they dry. Put bunches of lavender, rosemary and honey in the middle of cheesecloth cut into 4-inch squares. Gather the corners and then tie the small bundles closed with ribbon. Put the sachets in drawers, between stacks of folded sheets and beneath guestroom pillows to scent the cloth with natural sweetness. Poke whole cloves into an orange and hang it in your cupboard until you can no longer grab the scent when you open the cupboard door.
Bath
Lavender is a naturally sweet-smelling herb that thrives well in various environments. Plant new lavender in a long, narrow planter and set it on the rear of the bathroom, the vanity on a shelf. This works particularly well in tiny bathrooms. It is also possible to mix with dried rosemary, lemon peel and mint in a wide, shallow bowl. Stir the mixture occasionally to tighten it, or use a drop or two of essential oils to keep the smells alive.
