These easy stovetop room scents can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
These DIY Room Scents Make Your Home Smell Amazing
Updated on Feb. 11, 2019
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
Winning Cranberry Chip CookiesChock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies...but don't wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round.
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Consider these gourmet food gift ideas, too.
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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
Spicy Oatmeal Cookie MixBrown sugar and spice and everything nice—like cinnamon, coconut, oats and chips—are layered together in pretty jars of yummy, ready-to-bake cookie mix. It's a quick and easy gift idea that's appreciated any time of year. Remember to include preparation instructions and a list of any additional ingredients needed with your gift tag. - Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin ButterBiting into this spiced butter on a hot biscuit or toast is absolutely heavenly. With a dash of whipped cream, you might think you were eating pumpkin pie! —June Barrus, Springville, Utah
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
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Shop Now: These mini jars are the perfect size for mustard.
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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
Cranberry Dark Chocolate Trail MixA close friend once gave me a jar of trail mix that was absolutely delicious. My re-creation comes pretty close to the original and is truly one of my favorite snacks! —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
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
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Double-Dutch Chocolate Holiday CookiesRich dark chocolate and crunchy, colorful M&M's combine to make these cookies extra special. Who wouldn't want to receive this mix as a gift? —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mom’s Pickled CarrotsMy mother is the only other person I've known to make this recipe. In fact, when I take it to a potluck or picnic, no one has ever heard of pickled carrots. But once they try them, they are hooked. —Robin Koble, Fairview, Pennsylvania
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Hearty Pasta Soup MixWarm up loved ones on frosty winter nights with a gift of this hearty, stick-to-the-ribs soup mix. Packed in pretty glass jars, it looks just as good as it tastes! Be sure to include preparation instructions and a list of additional ingredients needed with your gift card. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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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
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Christmas CranberriesBourbon adds bite to this holiday standby, packed in a small heavy-duty glass storage container with a tight-fitting lid. Wrap in a vintage tea towel or cloth napkin, cinch with ribbon and adorn with small ornaments. —Becky Jo Smith, Kettle Falls, Washington
Ranch Dressing MixWant to make the best ranch dressing? Make it at home whenever the craving strikes by keeping this homemade ranch dressing mix in your pantry.
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
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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
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Oat Chocolate Chip CookiesI love these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I made this recipe just before we showed our house. Not only did the people buy the house, but they requested the recipe. — Nancy Fridirici, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Bonus: Learn how to reuse bottles and jars.
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
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Learn more with our ultimate guide to canning.
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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
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Peppermint White Hot ChocolateMy soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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