4 easy ideas for natural products to scent the home

To scent your home inexpensively, make preparations yourself that do not contain chemicals and that neutralize, as opposed to mask, odours. Here are three natural products that are easy to make.

If you like the scent of citrus, you'll enjoy the fresh scent of this colourful potpourri. You can add leaves with a lemon scent such as those of geranium, tea tree or lemon eucalyptus. This mixture is perfect for filling cushions.

• 15 g (1 tbsp) dried marigold flowers
• 15 g (1 tbsp) dried chamomile flowers
• 10 g (2 tsp) dried lemon balm
• 10 g (2 tsp) dried lemon verbena
• 15 g (1 tbsp) dried lemon thyme
• 10 g (2 tsp) dried basil
• 80 g (1/3 cup) dried lemon peel and cut into cubes
• 30 g (2 tbsp) iris powder
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) essential oil of lemon verbena
• 6 drops essential oil of chamomile

The combination of peppermint and rosemary is ideal for the bathroom or the room of a person who is ill.

• 100 g (1/2 cup) dried rosemary leaves
• 5 g (1 tsp) dried peppermint leaves
• 30 g (2 tbsp) lightly crushed cloves
• 20 g (4 tsp) crumbled cinnamon sticks
• 60 g (4 tbsp) iris powder
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) rosemary essential oil

To scent a room, spray a bit of this air freshener with its delightful scent.

• 50 ml (1/4 cup) vodka
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) essential oil of bergamot
• 8 drops essential oil of clove
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 200 ml (3/4 cup) distilled water

1. Pour the vodka and essential oils into a spray bottle and shake to disperse the oils. Add distilled water and stir again.
2. Marinate for a few days.
3. Spray briefly into the room.

There you have it: these four natural products eliminate odours, look attractive, and are easy to make. Have fun!