Essential oils have always been a popular alternative, but what other non-toxic options can people use to keep their homes smelling fresh and inviting?

In a bid to incorporate more sustainable and chemical-free household products, many people are ditching store bought air fresheners that contain harmful carcinogens. Contributing to harmful toxins entering our systems, certain air fresheners are a very common sources of endocrine disrupters like phthalates that can cause hormonal abnormalities.

Of course, essential oils have always been a popular alternative, but what other non-toxic options can people use to keep their homes smelling fresh and inviting?

Here are three chemical-free alternatives that will have your home smelling heavenly:

SOY CANDLES

Derived from the soybean, soy wax is a hydrogenated vegetable oil that turns to a solid at room temperature. After they are harvested, the beans are cleaned, cracked, dehulled, and rolled into flakes. Soy wax contains nothing artificial, which makes it a better alternative to old-fashioned paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum oil and produces harmful by-products when burned or melted. Although on the pricier side, soy wax being non-toxic makes it better both for the environment and your health! 

SIMMER POTS

If you’re in the mood to DIY your own special scent, you can’t go wrong with one of these warm mixtures. It’s also incredibly easy to whip up: All you need to do is add your fruit and spices of choice to a large pot of water, bring to a boil, then uncover and let it simmer for two to three hours. This never fails to make your entire home smell delicious and festive!

TikTok has an abundance of simmer pot recipes, but the most popular ones include ingredients like oranges, apples, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, and peppermint. Once you’re done with simmering, cool down the boiled mixture, and use it as a room spray! This concoction can last up to a few weeks or longer in your fridge.

ROOM SPRAYS

Or if you’d like a quick hit of scent, opt for a natural scented room spray. These mists are super useful for reviving stale air, refreshing clothes between launderings, and even masking odors on cloth furniture. Be informed that many premade blends can include those harmful chemicals discussed above such as benzene2 and phthalates, so, always look for transparent formulas that explain what ingredients are being used and why. 

Most non-toxic room sprays use all-natural ingredients like plant-derived essential oils and distilled water which is better in general. The scents are not overpowering, providing a more sophisticated yet subtle fragrance that blends into the atmosphere effortlessly. Interestingly, making non-toxic room sprays at home takes almost the same amount of effort as buying a generic store-bought one.

Source: Mindbodygreen