My Grandmother Always Did It, and the House Became Very Fragrant
Certainly! If you’re looking for new ideas to impart a delightful fragrance to your home, why not delve into the wisdom of the past and explore Grandma’s time-tested remedies for perfuming the house? What’s incredibly wonderful about these methods is their sustainability, ingeniously repurposing food waste. So, let’s uncover the secrets of how our grandmothers used to infuse the home with pleasant scents (in addition to keeping the windows wide open for hours to let out the smell of cooked food, of course).
How to make your house smell great with Grandma’s remedies
Grandma’s age-old remedies for a fragrant home are not just practical and sustainable; they’re also economical. These methods cleverly use food scraps that might have otherwise gone into the compost for DIY fertilizer or, unfortunately, straight into the waste bin.
Surprisingly, common food scraps found in our homes can be incredibly useful for infusing delightful scents into the house. Here’s some advice that goes beyond the traditional method of sticking cloves into an orange (which is also helpful in keeping insects away):
Fruit Peels on Radiators
You can reuse fruit peels, particularly those from citrus fruits, by laying them on radiators. When the heating is turned on, the warmth will release the essential oils contained in the peels, filling your home with a delightful fragrance. Place them on a saucer, ensuring they are out of reach for pets. The only drawback is that you’ll need to replace these peels frequently as they dry out quickly, losing their aroma.
Fruit Peels in a Saucepan
Especially when you are cooking dishes with strong odors, such as cabbage or fish, you can use a grandmother’s trick to prevent lingering smells. Place citrus fruit peels in a saucepan with water and boil them. This will release a pleasant scent from the saucepan, helping to mask the strong odor of the food.
Scented Sachets in the Wardrobe
Again, take some peels or flowers and put them to dry in jute or cotton bags in the wardrobes. As they dry, they’ll release a pleasant scent that will also transfer to your clothes. For an extra boost, you can add a few drops of essential oil. Just remember to replace the peels periodically to ensure a lasting effect. It’s a charming and natural way to keep your clothes and wardrobe smelling delightful.
