These DIY Room Scents Make Your Home Smell Amazing
Updated: Feb. 11, 2019These easy stovetop room scents can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
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
The Best Marinara SauceI developed this recipe with a friend to make the most of a bumper crop of tomatoes. Now we like to make huge batches—we’re talking 220-pounds-of- tomatoes huge—and then give jars along with a pound of pasta as gifts around the holidays. Knowing this sauce is made from the heart with the best possible ingredients makes me feel good about giving it to my family and friends. —Shannon Norris, Cudahy, Wisconsin
Consider these gourmet food gift ideas, too.
Momma Watts’ Crazy Herby Salt BlendThis recipe for a delicious salt blend came from my best friend Annabelle's mom, Mary Watts—"Momma Watts" to me and my friends! Last year I made it for my friends; it's the best gift to make at home. —Ava Romero, South San Francisco, California
Shop Now: Fill your own spice jars (and label them, too).
Plum ConserveMy mouthwatering conserve is a versatile gift. It makes a lovely garnish for rolls during holiday feasts, is delicious paired with cheese as an appetizer, and makes a great dessert topping for ice cream or pound cake. —Ginny Beadle, Spokane, Washington
A Cup of Coffee CakeThis mix is easy, delicious—and full of the flavors teachers need to get through their day! Instant coffee works fine as a substitute for the brewed, if you like. —Deborah Dubord, Fayette, Maine
Double Hot Horseradish MustardMy family enjoys spicy food so this recipe is wonderful for us. We add it to sandwiches.—Madeline Cole, Willow, Alaska
Shop Now: These mini jars are the perfect size for mustard.
Bourbon Peach JamBourbon has been popular at our house since we visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail a few years ago. Every bite of this jam reminds me of that fun trip. —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas
Salted Cashew Oatmeal CookiesMy son absolutely loves cashews, so I loaded my oatmeal cookies with them at Christmas—he loved them! The mix makes a great gift for friends, co-workers and teachers; all they have to do is add butter, vanilla and eggs. —Richard Hatch, Glen Burnie, Maryland
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
Cashew BrittleI like this quick and easy recipe because it doesn't require a candy thermometer. It also makes a wonderful gift for nut lovers on your list. —Rhonda Glenn, Prince Frederick, Maryland
Spiced Cran-Apple and Grape ConserveFaced with an abundance of grapes from my garden, I wound up using them in various ways. This conserve was an afterthought, but I received so many great compliments from family and friends that I made sure to write down the recipe. I served it with crackers and Brie cheese, but it would be great with pork, chicken, ham and cheesecake, too. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Shop Now: Elegant jam jars help take your gift to the next level.
Homemade Pear HoneyPear honey is an old recipe that's been passed down through families. We especially like it with hot biscuits and butter. It's also good on pound cake or even ice cream. Make sure the pears you use are very firm. —Charlotte McDaniel, Jacksonville, Alabama
Good-Night Santa Cappuccino MixWhat's not to like about having a great cappuccino mix on-hand? I like to bag some up for gift-giving during the holidays. —Carol Witczak, Tinley Park, Illinois
Shop Now: Pack this mix in a simple Mason jar mug.
Ranch Dressing and Dip MixThis versatile ranch dressing mix converts easily into a creamy dip or smooth salad dressing. It's delicious served with fresh veggies or drizzled over greens. —Carolyn Zimmerman, Fairbury, Illinois
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
Shop Now: We love the sleek look of these wood-topped jars.
Gingerbread Snow GlobeI make a big batch of these gingerbread cookies every Christmas to give to co-workers and family. For a festive decoration, arrange cutouts in a large clear jar to look like a snow globe. —Kelly Kirby, Mill Bay, British Columbia
Shop Now: This large candy jar is a great option for a cookie snow globe.
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
Sand Art BrowniesA jar of this attractive layered mix produces a yummy batch of fudgy brownies that are dressed up with chocolate chips and M&M’s. If you need a quick gift for a neighbor or teacher, this is a delicious solution. —Joan Hohwald, Lodi, New York
Confetti Bean Soup MixWith its colorful variety of beans and delicious flavor, this soup is tempting. I like to give it to friends each Christmas. —Rebecca Lambert, Staunton, Virginia
Christmas PicklesA dear family friend made these pickles for decades. I've adapted the recipe a bit over the years, but in my heart they are still “Dr. Rhodes’ pickles.” These morsels are delicious any time of year, but the green, red and white hues of the pickles, cherries and onions make them ideal for Christmas gift-giving—and it's a tasty twist on the classic Christmas pickle tradition. —Patricia Martin, Shelby
Still shopping? Find genius gift ideas for people who have everything.
Originally Published: February 11, 2019
