Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh Naturally With Homemade Potpourri

While it's true that you can buy whatever storebought home fragrances that you'd like, did you know that most of them include toxic chemicals that you really shouldn't be breathing in? It's so easy to make clean, all-natural potpourri and have your home smelling fresh and clean, not chemicalized. This is all you need for a great fall scent:

Photo byThe Honour System

Ingredients:

• 5 cups water
• 2 navel oranges, peeled
• 1 apple, halved
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 3 star anise
• 1 teaspoon-sized knob of fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon dried orange peel

In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients and place the pan over low heat. Stir occasionally as the mixture heats up, allowing the flavors to blend as it gently simmers. Keep the heat low to avoid rapid boiling, and let the mixture simmer slowly. You can keep it simmering for several hours, checking periodically and adding water as needed to maintain the consistency.

Alternatively, you can transfer the ingredients to a crockpot for a more hands-off approach. Set the crockpot on low or high, depending on your preference, and leave the lid off to let moisture evaporate while allowing the flavors to concentrate. Make sure to stir occasionally and add water if necessary to prevent it from drying out.

This method gives you a great result whether you opt for the stovetop or crockpot!

Feel free to adjust the spices as you prefer or for what you have on hand. It really doesn't need to be complicated for an inviting scent. Enjoy!

** Let me know in the comments what your favorite scent combinations are!