Make your home smell like fall without the harsh chemicals.
This is part 3 in Chemistry Cachet’s fall series.
Let’s talk scents.
You don’t need a chemical plug-in running in every room to make your home smell like a beautiful autumn day.
As a chemist and mom, I start with a simple rule: remove the source of odor before adding a fragrance. A cinnamon scent won’t fix a rug, a dirty trash can or buildup in the garbage disposal.
Once those are clean, a few small healthier touches can make the house feel cozy without an overwhelming smell.
ADD A DIY AUTUMN CLEANER INTO YOUR CLEANING ROUTINE
Begin by cleaning your kitchen, bathroom and other highly used areas of your home.
I like adding a seasonal scent to my DIY all-purpose cleaning spray.
To make this, combine 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon autumn dish soap, 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol and about 15 drops of an autumn essential oil in a spray bottle.
Spray your surface then wipe off with a microfiber cloth or sponge. This is an all-purpose cleaner that works for most surfaces.
The scent is light, and the cleaning does the real work.
For the full recipe and more on non-toxic autumn scent ideas from this article, see my 12 healthier ways to make your home smell like fall.
KEEP A SIMMER POT GOING…
A simmer pot is perfect for a Texas afternoon when the weather hasn’t caught up with the calendar.
Add apple peels, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, apple cider and cloves to a pot of water, then let it simmer while you’re home.
You can let it simmer on low for hours to keep the autumn scents permeating in the kitchen.
USE A PLANT-BASED PUMPKIN ROOM AND FABRIC SPRAY
When I want something quick, I use a room and fabric spray with transparent, plant-based ingredients.
This ginger pumpkin air and fabric spray has warm notes of pumpkin, ginger, spice and vanilla.
I love that it can be used to refresh both the air and compatible fabrics. I honestly love all of their fall scents!
ADD ESSENTIAL OIL TO TRASH CANS
Another easy tip to make your home smell like autumn is to clean your trash can thoroughly withthe DIY autumn cleaner for this article.
Once it is clean and dry, add about 10 drops of yourfavorite autumn essential oil to the trash can before adding the liner.
My favorite is the pumpkin pie essential oil from Woolzie.
Let it dry, then you can play your trash can liner back in. It will make your trash can smell so clean!
Making your home smell like fall is easy!
Start by removing trapped odors, cleaning overlooked areas, and washing fabrics.
Then introduce seasonal scents with one of these wonderfully scented ideas.
A few intentional touches can give your home that cozy pumpkin-and-apple feeling without overwhelming the air with chemical scents or adding another complicated task to your fall routine.
And it will boost your mood too!
Alexis Rochester is an investigative chemist, blogger, and founder of Chemistry Cachet, which is now celebrating 11 years of trusted, science-based tips on skincare, cleaning, gardening, and health. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 10, Alexis is passionate about pain management research, exercise and sharing realistic wellness solutions for women and families. She grew up in Stephenville and moved back several years ago to raise her kids! When she’s not working on skincare or cleaning experiments, you can find her spending time with her husband, a former Marine and first responder, their two children Amelia and Tucker. Or taking a pilates class around town. You can also find her posting pictures and fun stories daily on Instagram. Also look for Chemistry Cachet on Facebook and LinkedIn. Also, now on TikTok!
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