5 Low-Waste Air Fresheners for the Home

by 01/05/12 9 Comments

orange, orange peel, orange skin, orange rind, peeled orange, peel, rind, citrus, clementine, nectarine, tangerine

Use fruit scraps like orange peels for a close-to-free stovetop air freshener that will leave your home smelling sweet for hours. Photo: Flickr/fdecomite

5. Stovetop scent-sations

Price: Less than $1

We all love those fruity, spicy winter scents. But who can afford to spend their hard-earned dollars on seasonal candles and sprays? Save the cash and whip up an almost-free, all-natural alternative using food scraps and spices you already have in the house.

Save any extra fruit scraps (like apple skins and cores and orange and lemon rinds) and combine them with spices from your pantry for a yummy seasonal scent. Just fill up a pot with about 8 cups of water, and add your fruit scraps. Then stir in spices like cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, let simmer for at least 30 minutes and enjoy a sweet scent that lasts for hours.

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Mary Mazzoni

Mary Mazzoni

Staff Writer


  1. Charles Leidlich

    posted on January 6th, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    This is a nice way to improve the aroma around you. Thanks

  2. Cheyla Daedulus

    posted on January 6th, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    How does this "freshen" the air? I think of fresh air as uncontaminated air.

  3. Jackie Williams

    posted on January 6th, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    It is sachet! You carry stuff in a satchel.

  4. Shannon McGuire

    posted on January 6th, 2012 at 11:03 pm

    Perhaps the sock is a 'scent-satchel' since the scent is being carted around everywhere? No?

  5. Jessica Silva

    posted on January 13th, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    love the pine cone/ needle idea, going to collect them today. thanks!

  6. Terrie Amerson

    posted on January 13th, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    I put a 1/4 cup of baking soad in a baby food jar and add 10 drops of essential oil and leave it out, when it needs a refresh shake it about.

  7. Barbara Bixler

    posted on January 13th, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Not a satchel, but a sachet. sa·chet noun \sa-ˈshā\. 1: a small bag or packet. 2: a small bag containing a perfumed powder or potpourri used to scent clothes and linens.

  8. Becky Bond Sterne

    posted on January 26th, 2012 at 11:59 pm

    I have been doing these homemade stove top simmering potpourris for years....its really good with pumpkin pie spice....and I love not wasting anything! my fruit peels don't go to waste, even if I zest them, they still get boiled in potpourri then dumped for compost....

  9. Kiai Kim

    posted on April 7th, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I like to cook bacon for a scent. ;)

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