Prepare the perfect air freshener for the winter in just a few minutes

The idea of a warm and welcoming home in winter, especially during the holiday season when we often have guests, is particularly pleasant. And what could be better than enjoying a pleasant fragrance in the various rooms? There will be a lot to do, with the influx of people and delicious meals to prepare, so the wish to have a home that smells pleasant will be even more pronounced.

Changing the air in the home is essential, of course. Perhaps, after we've cooked some delicious cakes or biscuits, we'll let the aroma spread throughout the house. But what about later? How can we enjoy a light and pleasant scent at other times? Let's explore a couple of easy ideas to create an air freshener in just a few minutes.

DIY perfumes based on water and alcohol

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Here's what you need to make a DIY home perfumer/air freshener:

• Distilled water: this water will not have limescale residue or other impurities which might affect the perfume;
• Pure alcohol: vodka without aromas is usually recommended; or isopropyl alcohol will do too.

Essential oils are then added to this base: it is the fastest way to prepare scented sprays to use whenever needed.

For the base: pour 200 ml of distilled water and two tablespoons of alcohol into a 250 ml spray bottle.

For the scent: you can choose between various combinations. Here are some examples:

• 5 drops of each of these essential oils: lemon + lavender + rosemary
• 5 drops of each of these essential oils: rosemary + peppermint + lemon
• 6 drops of vanilla + 5 drops of peppermint

Store in a cool, dark place, and always remember to shake well before use. Again: when using alcohol, it is better to use glass or ceramic storage containers, rather than plastic bottles.

DIY perfumes based on water and oil

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The other major category of DIY air fresheners uses a carrier oil instead of alcohol to fix the scents of the essential oils. In this case, distilled water is combined with oils such as witch hazel, sweet almond, or even grape seed oil.

For the base: Mix together in a 300 ml spray bottle, 230 ml of distilled water and 60 ml of oil.

For the fragrance: In addition to the suggestions mentioned above, you can also try:

• 5 drops of Scotch Pine essential oil + 3 drops of Siberian Fir;
• 5 drops of Cinnamon essential oil + 4 drops of Vanilla + 2 drops of Cardamom.

However, there is nothing stopping you from combining scents however you like! If you want to experiment, you can try with smaller containers, proportionally reducing the quantities until you find your preferred fragrance.