Best Stovetop Air Freshener | 2 Minute Simmer Pot Recipes
Creating atmosphere in your home is as simple as a 2 minute simmer pot! So often we focus on the visuals in a home. Is it decorated nicely, is it clean enough, is it comfortable? But we can overlook the one sense that is closely tied to memory: scent. Create a memorable atmosphere in your home with this recipe for the best stovetop air freshener for any season.
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Creating Atmosphere with Stovetop Air Freshener | A DIY Stovetop Potpourri
Did you know that scent is closely tied to memory?
Grandpa’s pipe tobacco. Grandma’s moth balls. Mom’s apple pie. Your best friend’s vanilla candle.
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For good or bad, scent can bring back memories in an instant. So, why not be intentional in creating an atmosphere in our homes that will forever be associated with the feeling of coming home.
Stovetop potpourri is a very versatile option to create a signature scent that your family will always remember. There are so many different stove top potpourri recipes available for every season.
Lemon and lavender will always smell fresh and like a summer breeze.
Apples and cinnamon are cemented in my mind as a time for fall harvest.
Oranges and cloves bring back Christmas traditions and joyful gatherings.
All of these can easily be replicated with a simple simmer pot recipe that you tweak to your own liking.
Tools You’ll Need
This set of pots and pans has been an incredible investment! They are the perfect non-toxic, non-stick cooking surface for all my recipes.
- Caraway Non Stick Non Toxic Cookware (Use this link for 10% off)
- Alternative: Crock Pot
- Amazing kitchen knife set
- Quality wood cutting board
How to Make Potpourri on the Stove
If you’ve followed along with Grace In My Space for any length of time, then you know I am a DIYer at heart. Thankfully, that easily translates into a stove top air freshener.
DIY potpourri is so easy to make. You only need less than 5 minutes to enjoy cozy scents all day long.
First, put 6 cups of water into a large pot. Begin to heat the water while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Next, add in whatever scents you love and associate with the season or tradition you’re in. The best potpourri is the one that you craft to become a signature scent.
Thankfully, there is no right or wrong to making a stovetop air freshener.
Cinnamon potpourri is very popular in the fall and winter months. Lighter smells like lemon and fresh herbs feel more like summer and spring. However, it is completely preference based!
Once you’ve combined all the ingredients you enjoy, bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer.
You can simmer all day long, adding water as it evaporates.
SPECIAL NOTE: You can also use scraps rather than whole fruits! Next time you peel apples for apple pie, use the peeled skins to create a simmer pot. Or, once you’ve squeezed the juice from oranges, toss the peels into a pot for a fresh citrus scent the rest of the day.
What can I boil on the stove to freshen the air?
Here are some great scent combinations for each season.
Stovetop Potpourri SCENTS FOR THE SEASON
How long does stovetop potpourri last?
Typically, stovetop potpourri is most intensely satisfying the first 8 hours.
Once it starts to simmer the aroma will spread throughout your house. So I highly recommend putting it on in the morning, or an hour before company arrives.
However, you can get a few days out of the same pot of ingredients. Simply add water as needed and simmer until you no longer notice the scent in the air.
If you are looking to get a few days out of your all natural air freshener, then I would recommend simmering in a crock pot instead of on the stove.
Potpourri Crock Pot Option
Replicating a stovetop air freshener in the crock pot is so simple!
Simply combine the water and all desired ingredients in a crock pot and turn on low.
You can let your crock pot potpourri simmer as long as you’d like. Just ensure that you leave the lid off so the scent can circulate.
fall stovetop potpourri
Today I’m sharing my favorite combination for a fall stove top potpourri.
I don’t know about you, but fall time and Christmas are the two seasons where scent is most closely tied to traditions and memories. This autumn potpourri has all the traditional fall smells that will have you ready to go apple picking and carve pumpkins.
The combination of apples, cinnamon and nutmeg reminds me of fall baking. Fall baking is my favorite.
Then, a little infusion of anise gives a slight hint of licorice that is unexpected. Finally, I top it off with orange for a fresh note.
You can find my full recipe below. Feel free to add or omit to your liking.
Best Stovetop Air Freshener Recipe
All Natural Air Freshener | Simple Simmer Pot Recipe for Stovetop or Crock Pot
Creating atmosphere in your home is as simple as a 2 minute simmer pot! So often we focus on the visuals in a home. But we can overlook the one sense that is closely tied to memory: scent.
Create a memorable atmosphere in your home with this recipe for the best stovetop air freshener for any season.
Ingredients
- 6 cups water, add more as needed
- 1 sliced apple or apple peels
- 1 sliced orange or orange peels
- 1 Tbs. whole cloves
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 start of anise
- 3 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Boil 6 cups of water
- Add all ingredients and reduce heat to simmer
- Simmer on low all day, adding water as needed
Notes
If you'd like to get more time out of this recipe, create it in a crockpot instead! Combine all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low without the lid on. You can turn the crockpot on each day for 2-3 days, or until scent has dissipated.
RECIPE INTENDED FOR SCENT ONLY- not for consumption
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 potAmount Per Serving: Calories: 0
You’ll Also Enjoy…
Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoy making your own potpourri as you create memories with your family.
You might also enjoy these posts on fall decorating!
- 1 Minute Coffee Table Styling Ideas
- How to Decorate for Fall Without Pumpkins
- 15 Unexpected Tips to Create a Cozy Outdoor Space
You can also visit my recipe archives here.
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~Sarah
So excited to try this! Thank you so much for sharing…this sounds like it will smell amazing and going to give it a try in my little crockpot😊
good
Do you recommend only doing this if I have all the ingredients? I’m missing apple and anise. I’d like to have a nice smell in my home but won’t be able to get to the store in time. Wondering if it’ll still be nice or better to wait. Thanks!
You can omit or add anything you’d like!
Do I keep the lid on the pot over the stove all day or remove the lid after it has started to boil and I lower the heat?
Nope, the lid stays off! Bring to a boil and then turn to simmer. That way you can smell it simmering.
We totally enjoyed this today. Thank you! 😍
I’m so glad!
Besides, it is also a special way
Thanks for sharing. I will save it in my dashboard for the next chance.
Since I have grown children as well as grown grandchildren, my situation is a little different. Sometimes I fix my husband a favorite meal and I try to keep our kitchen and breakfast area nicely decorated. But every Friday evening our family is invited to dinner. We are blessed right now that we all live in the same area. All of them can’t come every week but we go all out on birthdays. There are 11 of us right now with two great grands in the way.👏 There is nothing I love more than planning a birthday celebration created just for them with decorations that show exactly things they love.
That is so special!