How to fragrance a house without using candles?

[NewEraNewMindset]

I really want to make the house smell more fragrant but don't want to use candles as I have a toddler and a lack of high shelving/fear of forgetting to put them out and fires.

I bought my Mother a diffuser with oils and a wick because id seen then in a shop and thought they smelt lovely. But if it's on when I go round it actually smells foul lol, really synthetic.

I want the house to smell of freshly laundered sheets and just mowed meadows. Anyone achieved this? (just to add I'm not trying to mask any smells, the house just smells of house, nothing terrible)

Add a drop of essential oil to cotton wool and place inside vacuum cleaning (providing it's a bagless one)

Tumble dryer sheets on the back of radiators, obviously only works when hearing is on.

Open windows as much as possible....

Or...mil bought my dd some soap from lush last week, the whole house is stinking smelling of it

Heating not hearing obviously!

I have a reed diffuser thing and found it smelt a bit strong. I have since refilled it with a homemade solution and it is much more pleasant as it uses essential oils.

I have one plug in in the kitchen. Marks and spencer one on really low after cooking.

Just steer well clear of the synthetic sprays and plug-ins. They contain chemicals which can act as hormone-disruptors and are properly nasty stuff!

ftmsoon - can I ask what you used as a carrier for your homemade refill? I've been looking at refills and they're all so expensive. I've got plenty of good quality essential oils, empty bottles and spare reeds!

The fragranced sand that can be heated by a tea light. I find just putting it in small bowls leaves a gentle scent. I never use it with candle, the occasional stir refreshes it. Lasts for ages.

If I'm going to be at home for the day I put a saucepan of water on a very low heat, I add cinnamon, orange peel, rosemary and whatever else takes my fancy on the day. It gently scents the air and I just refresh the water through the day.

Three Recipes

Reed diffuser. There are so many out there, it's very easy to get one you like. They last a really long time too.

surfsup, lovely ideas there!

A Yankee candle tart warmer as it will be deep.

Instead of tarts (which are synthetic but are mostly nice) fill with water and a couple of drops of essential oil - I use lavender and vanilla or rose and sandalwood.

The Yankee tart warmer I got last week was the QVC today's special value. It's an owl with a light inside it too - a gentle light a bit like a night light.

It's amazing. I already have another Yankee tart warmer which I'm going to get rid of as the owl one has a very deep bowl which is perfect for water /oil - the other tart warmer I have is shallower and will only hold half an inch of water

Ooh yes I'd love to know how to make your own diffuser liquids too. I'm amazed you can't buy refills and they are expensive to buy.

Some people say a dab of fabric softener on the lightbulb. I haven't tried it myself.

I prefer oil burners, a bit old school, but no synthetics. Even a splash of vanilla extract on an old cloth stuck behind the radiator works when the heat is off but when it's on it's gorgeous. Way batter than vanilla scented candles or fresheners.

Windows open as often as possible and wipe the radiators over with a cloth that has a bit of fabric softener on it.

Scarlet - there's a recipe in the link I posted below.

I hate all smellies - candles, incense, sprays, diffusers. They almost always smell sickly, synthetic and artificial. And are usually far too strong.

If I want to add fragrance to a room I use the real thing. My favourite is loosely scrunching up a vanilla pod and a couple of cloves in tin foil and popping the package in the top of the radiator.

Can do the same with a cloth sachet of lavender or a piece of cinnamon bark.

Or have fresh flowers. Lilies give an amazing scent. Freesias are also lovely, and far more delicate. Best of all are hyacinths, but they are only available winter and spring.

What surfsup said about heating a saucepan. Cloves are good to add to this too.

Have you seen the water vapor things you put essential oils in? Muji make some quite fancy ones but you can get cheaper versions:

www.muji.eu/pages/page.asp?qpge=aroma

I have an aroma stone which plugs in and is lovely for oils too (I brought it to take to the birth center with me when I had DD1 as I couldn't burn candles in the place and I had made a birthing blend of oils - I know I know , still I've had good use from it over the years):

www.amazon.co.uk/Unknown-Rio-Aroma-Stone-Blue/dp/B003Y3VLGW/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_1

You can make your own room spray in a small spray bottle, add water, couple of drops of dish washing liquid (to emulsify the oils) and essential oils of choice.

7days I'm going to try that vanilla essence tip.

I burn oils and incense.

But thats a fire/reach hazard too for you, op.

I make a spray of lavender oil and water and spritz it around on more rugged furnishings, curtains and carpets.

Look in a charity shop for one of the small slow cookers that sometimes come with large ones. They are sometimes called soup warmers or dip warmers. Use it to simmer whatever strikes your fancy cloves, citrus peels, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, vanilla in water for a few hours.

Use a mix of boiled and cooled water, vodka and essential oil in a spray bottle. Some spritzer recipes

There are lots of ideas on Pinterest too.

I think it's about finding the right reed diffuser. My m&s one is lime, just nice and fresh. I find a lot of them really artificial smelling.

If you have cats be careful with reed diffusers as the liquid is very harmful to their skin if spilled. Lilies are also toxic.

If you don't have cats, as you were, sorry to disturb.

I've just made my own today! Sweet almond oil, rubbing alcohol and some essential oil from the Body Shop. Cheap and smells lovely!