Make a place smell good: what's effective, safe, cost efficient?
June 28, 2018 1:39 PM Subscribe
What's the best method for adding pleasant scents to an apartment? "Best" in terms of effectiveness (spreading scent) and cost efficiency, and "pleasant" meaning noticeable but understated and not chemically. I'm also concerned about safety for cats and young children. Has anyone compared candles, wax melts, incense, and diffusers, for instance?
Something like a ton of Glade-type plugins/sprays might be effective and cost-efficient, but not pleasant. I'm aiming more for random, gentle wafts of lovely scent throughout the apartment.
The candles I generally use (Yankee or similar knockoffs) are pleasant, but not very effective. They tend to be strong-smelling near the candle but don't carry too far. Several candles spaced though the place might be effective, but not very cost-efficient and VERY not safe. I can keep an eye on only one fire hazard at a time!
Something like a diffuser might work, but it's really hard to tell what info is good... Are they safe? Effective? I probably would use fragrance oils, not essential oils, in case that matters.
Alternative suggestions also totally welcome... Dryer sheets tucked around here and there? Stick a car vent air freshener on the fan?
I'm not looking for specific scent recommendations, just to be clear. But if a particular brand is more cost-efficient or effective than a competitor, please do recommended away!
Something like a ton of Glade-type plugins/sprays might be effective and cost-efficient, but not pleasant. I'm aiming more for random, gentle wafts of lovely scent throughout the apartment.
The candles I generally use (Yankee or similar knockoffs) are pleasant, but not very effective. They tend to be strong-smelling near the candle but don't carry too far. Several candles spaced though the place might be effective, but not very cost-efficient and VERY not safe. I can keep an eye on only one fire hazard at a time!
Something like a diffuser might work, but it's really hard to tell what info is good... Are they safe? Effective? I probably would use fragrance oils, not essential oils, in case that matters.
Alternative suggestions also totally welcome... Dryer sheets tucked around here and there? Stick a car vent air freshener on the fan?
I'm not looking for specific scent recommendations, just to be clear. But if a particular brand is more cost-efficient or effective than a competitor, please do recommended away!
I use candles, incense, and diffusers. Of those, diffusers are the best overall for the combo of good, controllable scent dispersion and being the most hands-off. I use essential oils, mostly therapeutic grade organic because I also make body products with them.
Once you own the diffusers, the cost is minimal, just a few drops of oil for hours of scent. I keep one in the kitchen, one in the family room, and one in our bedroom. I'd happily use them around kids and puppies, and if you leave the house with them on, the only consequence is that your house smells good when you get home.
posted by donnagirl at 1:56 PM on June 28, 2018
Once you own the diffusers, the cost is minimal, just a few drops of oil for hours of scent. I keep one in the kitchen, one in the family room, and one in our bedroom. I'd happily use them around kids and puppies, and if you leave the house with them on, the only consequence is that your house smells good when you get home.
posted by donnagirl at 1:56 PM on June 28, 2018
Cut up some apples, add a few cloves, a cinnamon stick, and cover with water. Let it simmer on the stove top. Add enough water so it does not evaporate to quickly.
You can fill up the water everday, for a few days, i use the same for about a week.
Re safety it is not worse than candle. If you use old, damaged apples, cooking apples they are cheap. The cinnamon and cloves i get from dollar store or similar as i wont eat this anyway. You also add a cut in half lemon.
posted by 15L06 at 2:01 PM on June 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
You can fill up the water everday, for a few days, i use the same for about a week.
Re safety it is not worse than candle. If you use old, damaged apples, cooking apples they are cheap. The cinnamon and cloves i get from dollar store or similar as i wont eat this anyway. You also add a cut in half lemon.
posted by 15L06 at 2:01 PM on June 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
Boiling water on the stove with stuff in it is how pretty much everyone suggests getting "The Pottery Barn" smell - I think it's usually lemon, vanilla, and rosemary. some people get small crockpots and position them (in safe places) in a couple spaces around the house - keep water in them, and you should be able to keep the ingredients for 2-3 days.
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 2:19 PM on June 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 2:19 PM on June 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
For wonderful freshness: add some vinegar (~ 1/4 cup) and a couple bay leaves to a pot of water simmering on the stove. Mmmmmmm.
posted by Corvid at 2:47 PM on June 28, 2018
posted by Corvid at 2:47 PM on June 28, 2018
Ok so I'm a person with chemicals sensitivities' nightmare but at my house I take a multi pronged approach. Febreze's brand of plug-in air freshener is by far the best one, I get tons of compliments on how the house smells and I owe it mostly to that. However if I'm in the room then I usually have a candle going. After cooking we do a Lampe Berger. I also have the cheaper brand plug-ins in the bathrooms and my office. I know I live here so my opinion is skewed but the house doesn't smell strongly of any one thing unless you're right next to the Febreze plug, and it definitely doesn't smell like dogs or weed (my sister is brutally honest and I invite her for smell checks).
posted by masquesoporfavor at 3:02 PM on June 28, 2018
posted by masquesoporfavor at 3:02 PM on June 28, 2018
"Best" is also subjective. I think burning a sage smudge is the best thing to make a space smell nice, but I realize that may be an acquired taste. I find that the sage doesn't linger, but is good at cleaning out other smells, like incense.
posted by jb at 3:03 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by jb at 3:03 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
A nice, cheap way to wonderfully smell up the house: buy a loaf of cinnamon bread and toast two slices.
posted by BostonTerrier at 3:07 PM on June 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by BostonTerrier at 3:07 PM on June 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
Maybe doesn't need to be said, but I would really recommend researching any plant recommendations. Cats seemingly eat everything, and everything is seemingly toxic to cats.
posted by cnc at 3:21 PM on June 28, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by cnc at 3:21 PM on June 28, 2018 [4 favorites]
For any pot on the stove suggestion: keep an eye on it and don’t let the water evaporate. This will burn your pots and create a fire hazard. My mom learned this the hard way.
posted by Valancy Rachel at 3:55 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Valancy Rachel at 3:55 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
Cats, if you have them, are also sensitive to essential oils in the air.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 6:03 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Lesser Shrew at 6:03 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
I burn incense, usually in the brick or cone format. I recently discovered this sampler pack in Toronto — I’m never going back to another brand. It’s SO NICE.
I find that incense sticks are too smoky; I think because of the burning wood at their cores. The bricks are just pure scent and I find them less irritating to my eyes. I burn one brick and it fills maybe 1/3 of my 850 square foot apartment and the smell lasts for a couple hours. The brick burns in about half an hour, maybe less.
Another advantage to incense (of any format) is that you can get a closed burner to put it inside. There are a couple examples on that website I linked above. The lack of an open flame makes it safe for your critters.
posted by cranberrymonger at 9:51 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
I find that incense sticks are too smoky; I think because of the burning wood at their cores. The bricks are just pure scent and I find them less irritating to my eyes. I burn one brick and it fills maybe 1/3 of my 850 square foot apartment and the smell lasts for a couple hours. The brick burns in about half an hour, maybe less.
Another advantage to incense (of any format) is that you can get a closed burner to put it inside. There are a couple examples on that website I linked above. The lack of an open flame makes it safe for your critters.
posted by cranberrymonger at 9:51 PM on June 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
So I have done solution one, which is to simmer some cinnamon, cloves or whatever set of warm spices and herbs that strike your fancy. This works really well to humidify your place during the winter. I also do this if I have cooked fish indoors, like a fool.
My second solution is to make chai and other drinks. For chai you end up simmering spices for a while in water then you add tea and more water and if you like dairy then simmer your spice juice with some milk to caramelize it a bit. The benefit is beautiful aroma and a delicious drink.
Third solution is cook or bake spiced foods. It can be as simple as cinnamon toast or as involved as making sweet rolls. I believe one time it was strawberries and amaretto jam making . Anyway, beautiful aromas from cooking.
posted by jadepearl at 1:37 AM on June 29, 2018
My second solution is to make chai and other drinks. For chai you end up simmering spices for a while in water then you add tea and more water and if you like dairy then simmer your spice juice with some milk to caramelize it a bit. The benefit is beautiful aroma and a delicious drink.
Third solution is cook or bake spiced foods. It can be as simple as cinnamon toast or as involved as making sweet rolls. I believe one time it was strawberries and amaretto jam making . Anyway, beautiful aromas from cooking.
posted by jadepearl at 1:37 AM on June 29, 2018
Plug in air fresheners are pretty toxic. I have mild asthma, can't be in a room with one of these.
Simmering - save any lemon or orange peels, dry them in a sunny window, add to simmering pot with any combination of cinnamon, all spice, clove, ginger. powdered works fine, but does not look lovely.
Every gift shop in Maine sells balsam pillows. They smell fresh and clean.
People used to take dried herbs like sage and rosemary, and strew them about, as you step on them, they release scent. You can do this before vacuuming.
I use cedar oil to discourage moths in wool rugs and sweaters, smells great.
I put cologne on cotton balls in my closet and top drawer for a nice hit of scent.
posted by theora55 at 6:06 AM on June 29, 2018
Simmering - save any lemon or orange peels, dry them in a sunny window, add to simmering pot with any combination of cinnamon, all spice, clove, ginger. powdered works fine, but does not look lovely.
Every gift shop in Maine sells balsam pillows. They smell fresh and clean.
People used to take dried herbs like sage and rosemary, and strew them about, as you step on them, they release scent. You can do this before vacuuming.
I use cedar oil to discourage moths in wool rugs and sweaters, smells great.
I put cologne on cotton balls in my closet and top drawer for a nice hit of scent.
posted by theora55 at 6:06 AM on June 29, 2018
What about putting a drop or two of essentials oils, like lavendar or cedar, on your lightbulbs? Acts as a diffuser when the light is turned on. Though that was always with incandescent bulbs that got hot. It might not work as well on cooler bulbs.
posted by primate moon at 11:27 AM on June 29, 2018
posted by primate moon at 11:27 AM on June 29, 2018
Cut fresh flowers: Lilacs, wild roses, daphne, old fashioned phlox, gardenias or jasmine...
Sandlewood and cedar wood furniture or items, such as small boxes.
Ornaments made out of cinnamon clay.
Sweetgrass baskets
Bar soap, dish detergent and shampoo chosen for their scents. Open the box the soap comes in so it is not airtight and then store in your clothing drawers to lightly scent your clothing until you are ready to use.
Potpourri: Vanilla, lavender, rose petals, cedar, pine. Can also be sewn into bags and used as sachet, and hung with a ribbon from a coat hanger in your closet. Avoid buying cheap potpourri as they are usually made of dyed wood shavings, an artificial scent which will only smell right to some people and not to others, and a toxic volatile carrier.
Fresh fruit: Slice a lemon, buy fruit that has scent if you live in an area where it is grown.
Furniture wax and furniture polish: If you like the smell of wax this will add a clean well kept smell to your house. If you don't like it, it will only smell like cleaner. Almond oil or lemon scented oil used as furniture polish can add scent but don't use essential oils to polish your furniture as they are not made for that and can wreck the finish.
House plants with scent: Jasmine, freesia, hyacinths, orchids
Cooking: Make dulce de leche in your slow cooker, or plum pudding (steamed cake with dried fruit) or slow cook fruit and sugar to make pie filling or fruit toppings. Make a lemon sponge pudding. A rice cooker is a good choice for this, as it will turn off once the temperature reaches a certain point which happens when enough water is boiled off, and thus you don't have to stay awake to make sure it doesn't cause a fire or scorch.
Frankincense and myrrh, bought from an ecclesiastical supply store. Incense sticks, but instead of burning them crush them or stand them in various containers such as your pencil jar and vases. Can be combined with flowers or greenery.
A can of nice pipe tobacco such as Troost, left open and not smoked.
posted by Jane the Brown at 8:19 PM on June 29, 2018
Sandlewood and cedar wood furniture or items, such as small boxes.
Ornaments made out of cinnamon clay.
Sweetgrass baskets
Bar soap, dish detergent and shampoo chosen for their scents. Open the box the soap comes in so it is not airtight and then store in your clothing drawers to lightly scent your clothing until you are ready to use.
Potpourri: Vanilla, lavender, rose petals, cedar, pine. Can also be sewn into bags and used as sachet, and hung with a ribbon from a coat hanger in your closet. Avoid buying cheap potpourri as they are usually made of dyed wood shavings, an artificial scent which will only smell right to some people and not to others, and a toxic volatile carrier.
Fresh fruit: Slice a lemon, buy fruit that has scent if you live in an area where it is grown.
Furniture wax and furniture polish: If you like the smell of wax this will add a clean well kept smell to your house. If you don't like it, it will only smell like cleaner. Almond oil or lemon scented oil used as furniture polish can add scent but don't use essential oils to polish your furniture as they are not made for that and can wreck the finish.
House plants with scent: Jasmine, freesia, hyacinths, orchids
Cooking: Make dulce de leche in your slow cooker, or plum pudding (steamed cake with dried fruit) or slow cook fruit and sugar to make pie filling or fruit toppings. Make a lemon sponge pudding. A rice cooker is a good choice for this, as it will turn off once the temperature reaches a certain point which happens when enough water is boiled off, and thus you don't have to stay awake to make sure it doesn't cause a fire or scorch.
Frankincense and myrrh, bought from an ecclesiastical supply store. Incense sticks, but instead of burning them crush them or stand them in various containers such as your pencil jar and vases. Can be combined with flowers or greenery.
A can of nice pipe tobacco such as Troost, left open and not smoked.
posted by Jane the Brown at 8:19 PM on June 29, 2018
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posted by mumimor at 1:50 PM on June 28, 2018 [5 favorites]