Many times our apartments, lofts or studios need a little dose of freshness in the air. Maybe a smoker lives above or below, the trash got a little stinky, company is coming over — or you just like your home to smell fresh. Regardless, it makes “scents” that you want your home to smell fresh. I know from experience that I often lean towards pulling out candles; however, there are a number of options to consider. Here are five ways to clear the air.
Stovetop Potpourri: Stovetop potpourri is so easy, uses natural ingredients and can often be put together with many ingredients you already have on hand. Simmer pot recipes can be super simple using something as basic as cinnamon and water! The most important thing is that you keep an eye on the water to be sure it doesn’t completely evaporate.
Years ago, this was much more common than it is today. I remember many times coming home from school and noticing my mom had home potpourri on the stove. The house smelled delightful!
Plug-Ins: Plug-ins are a great option for an easy day-to-day scent that will freshen up your space with little to no maintenance. They also come in seasonal scents, so you can swap them out easily with no mess. Another perk is that they can be placed inconspicuously. No shelf space or tabletop space is necessary. They’re a win-win. The only disadvantage can be the costs that add up by having to change them every four to six weeks.
Candles: There are so many options for candles today, from little votives to pillar candles to candles in jars. Fragrances are innumerable, ranging from sweet scents to spicy scents and more. Candles can add a wonderful freshness to the air, and they add a little ambiance to the space as well: warm and cozy and even a little romance {wink}.
Of course, with candles there are some safety and burning tips you need to keep in mind.
- Place candles on a protected, heat-resistant, dry surface away from anything that can catch fire.
- Keep all candles out of reach of children and pets.
- Keep wicks trimmed to 1/8″ at all times. If and when smoking occurs, blow the candle out, trim the wick, remove trimmings and relight.
- Avoid burning candles in drafty areas.
Reed Diffusers: Reed diffusers are a very stylish way to have long-lasting fragrance, and they can be used with an essential oil in your fragrance of choice. Oils are very popular right now, making it easier to meet your everyday fresh air needs. You could also consider making your own reed diffusers.
Potpourri Cookers (tarts, oil and potpourri): How many of you have a potpourri cooker? These beauties provide so many uses, including but not limited to wax candle tarts, oil and dried potpourri. I think the disadvantage to these cookers is that they require cleanup.
Until recently, I used these a lot. However, I recently discovered the Scenterpiece™. I love how stylish these are, and there is no cleanup required. You can swap out scents easily too. It’s my absolute favorite new find!
These five ways to clear the air seem to be the most popular and useful ways to freshen up the air in your space. While aerosol sprays are great, they generally only mask smells for a short time. So tell me, what is your preferred way to clear the air in your home? Be sure to share with us here at ForRent.com.