Fill your home with the smell of Christmas!
No need to reach for a toxic, artificial "plug-in" air freshener or spray to make your home smell amazing. How about a natural, cost effective and safe option using ingredients that you probably have around the house? A simmering pot of natural potpourri will freshen the air using festive holiday scents!
I've picked two of my favourite natural scent combos for this recipe that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit - cinnamon orange and cedar vanilla. Nothing says Christmas like spicy cinnamon and zesty orange! If you like the smell of cloves, try adding some whole cloves to the mix. Another yuletide favourite is a clean, balsamic cedar scent paired with the comforting scent of vanilla. Don't have access to a cedar? Go for another evergreen - pine or fir.
SCENT BLEND 1 - CINNAMON ORANGE
Ingredients: 2 cinnamon sticks
1 whole orange, sliced, or orange peels from 1-2 oranges
6 whole cloves (optional)
or,
SCENT BLEND 2 - CEDAR VANILLA
Ingredients: 6 - 12 small sprigs of cedar (can use pine or fir in place of cedar)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Enough water to fill pan to 3/4 full
METHOD
Combine all the ingredients in the saucepan. Top with water until pan is 3/4 full.
Place on small stove burner and heat until mixture comes to a gentle boil. Lower heat to a simmer.
Do not let the pot run dry.
Add more water if needed. Simmer for at least a couple of hours. The mixture can be re-used the next day if desired. When done, compost the ingredients.
Feel free to improvise, experiment and have fun!
Simmering potpourri - easy, natural and smells oh so delightfully festive!
