Natural Air Fresheners for Your Home

Are you looking for ways to freshen the air in your house? Here are some ideas.

It is a fact that our homes have both good and not so pleasant smells. And no matter how we try to prevent the foul odor from joining the fresh air, it will always try to. Aerosol sprays and commercial air fresheners only mask the smells and even increase the level of toxicity in our home. Natural air fresheners are a better alternative because they do not contain harmful chemicals that may cause cancer and other illnesses. Here are five ways to naturally freshen the air at home:

Potpourri

Potpourris are sold everywhere and are more commonly used only during the holidays. The scent goes away too quickly though. Reuse the potpourri by mixing it with natural scents from fresh cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also use a few sprigs of fresh or dried mint. The mint adds fragrance and repels ants at the same time.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are natural non-toxic oils that come from plants. Because the scents are based in oil, they stay longer than water-based perfumes. To use as spritz, combine the oils with at least four parts of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on potpourri, garlands, wreaths, pinecones, artificial flowers, etc. Avoid spraying essential oils on furniture because the oil can leave a film.

Buy only essential oils that are made from the purest ingredients. Most health stores health stores carry good brands of essential oils.

Fruits

How about a fruit wreath? Make thin slices of orange, apple, and lemon. Dry the fruits on a cookie sheet. Arrange them into a wreath and hold them on a wooden framework or through thin wire. Cover the fruit slices with shellac to preserve them. This fruit wreath may last for several weeks and can be hung on any door.

Herbs and Flowers

Combine your favorite herbs and flowers to create a dried bowl of fresh scents. Place these arrangements in a shallow wooden bowl or a glass bowl to make them more visible. Add in some natural wooden filler which you can get at most craft stores. Fresh dried herbs like mint, rosemary, or thyme are commonly used for these arrangements.

Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles give off a honey flavored scent that burns clean with no mess. Beeswax candles can be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose beeswax candles that contain natural color.

Adding Accent to Your Home Furniture

Do you find your home furniture dull because of their plain colors or design?  You can make the interior of your home more alive by adding accents to your furniture.  Popular furniture accents include art objects or paintings.  However, you do not need to limit yourself when it comes to creativity.  Use some of these unique accents to bring more style and zing to your home:

Decorative Bowls and Plates

Bowls and plates make good decorative elements for the living room.  Place round plates on top of long rectangular tables to create balance.  You can choose to have decorative or souvenir plates, whichever complements the tone of your furniture.  If you have small children, it may be best to display souvenir plates made of tin or aluminum. 

Folded Fabric and Scarves

Do you have odd cuts of fabric stored in your home?  You can stitch them together and turn them into mosaic or quilt-like table runners.  You can also fold them into triangles and drape over couches and chairs. 

Scarves may not seem like a common accent, but they also add beauty and tone to your home.  Use them to wrap a chair’s backrest or to cover a wooden table.  Silk scarves in royal colors go well with dark furniture.  Use light colored cotton scarves for light brown wooden furniture.  If you wish to be more creative, buy plain colored scarves and jazz them up with beads and sequins. 

Mini Pillows

Little pillows are decorative elements that can be added to couches, lazy chairs, sofas and the like.  These pillows can also serve as back support for those who have back problems.  If you suffer from allergies, be sure to use hypoallergenic pillows and pillow cases that are not likely to gather too much dust.

Photo Albums

Photo albums, with their varied covers and design, may be used to decorate any part of the house where visitors usually stay.  Aside from being an accent to furniture, they also serve as “entertainers” to visitors who may need to wait a while. A great type of photo album to use these days is the digital photo album.  It stands like a framed photo on top of a table and can be programmed to do a slideshow of several photos.    

Favorite Collectibles

Do you collect something that can probably serve as décor?  Some people show off their collection by placing them atop shelves and long tables.  You can display whatever you wish be it a collection of pepper mills, matroshka dolls, or M&M dispensers.  The important thing is, you have something that adds life to seemingly plain home furniture.