Wednesday, January 2, 2008

How To Safely Make Your Home Smell Nice

SCENTED CANDLES

Here is a great article discussing the many ways to use candles and scented oils to freshen up your living space. I have followed with a great video that I came across from Ask The Decorator showcasing some great tips on choosing the right scented candle for your home.

Ah, there is nothing more welcoming and memorable than walking into a nice smelling home. Do you want your home to smell nice and clean, but do you also want a better, and safer alternative to expensive synthetic air fresheners which can be unhealthy? Synthetic aerosol air fresheners and room sprays can be the cause of severe breathing problems in children and people with asthma. A scary fact is, that the manufacturers of these synthetic air fresheners keep the chemical composition a closely-guarded secret. They are designed to mask or cover up odors rather than remove the odor. However, it's far better to eliminate odor from the source by cleaning than trying to cover it up.

First, identify the source of any odors. Garbage can be taken outdoors and the other most common odor sources; the kitchen and bathroom can be cleaned with an non-toxic cleaner. Cooking odors from strong smelling foods will disappear after a short period of time.

Here are some safe and easy ideas to make your home smell great every day and when company comes calling too.

For all the rooms in you your home you can use a non-aerosol room spray made with all natural essential oils. These are safer and the natural scents will make your home smell nice, clean and fresh. There are a wide variety of scents available, try an energizing citrus, a warming spice, an exhilarating mint or pine scent to enhance the ambiance of your home.

Try this tip: Just before you expect your visitors to arrive, spray one or two pumps in your entry way or the first room they will enter. You just need to make a good first impression for your guest's. After one has been exposed to a scent for a while it become less noticeable, and our noses can't smell it any more that's why you can't smell your own perfume later in the day when everyone else still can.

You can give your home a wonderful appealing smell by simmering spices like cloves and cinnamon in water. It will smell like you've been busy baking all day. You can vary the scent by adding vanilla extract, orange or lemon peel to the mix. So, go ahead and raid your pantry or spice cupboard for these safe, economical and natural scents. You can use a special potpourri simmering pot, a mini crock pot or just a small saucepan on your stove top.

Scented candles are another alternative, look for the more environmentally friendly soy based candles with a lead-free wick as they burn cleaner. It's important to remember, never leave a burning candle unattended or near anything that could catch fire.

Try this tip: Light a scented candle half an hour before you expect your company to arrive so your home will smell nice when your guests enter. Then you can extinguish it and the lovely scent will linger. It's also more frugal to burn a candle for a short period of time.

With these tips and ideas you can safely and easily give your home a warm inviting ambiance for your family and visitors and enjoy a lovely smelling home everyday.

About the Author:

Melody Thacker enjoys helping people and marketing Watkins products part time. You can find more quick and easy cooking, cleaning and healthy lifestyle ideas at Watkins Home Products


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