Most of the world is stuck inside their homes this month in hopes of quelling the threat of COVID-19 through strict home quarantine. One way you can spend your free time is through home DIY crafts that can improve your condo. A fun example of this is making thrilling DIY organic scents to bring the summer spirit and freshen up your rooms.
If you’re going to be holed up in your home, you deserve to be surrounded by a vibrant and fresh ambiance. Here are 10 DIY organic scents you can easily make at home with accessible resources even during the enhanced community quarantine.
1. Upcycle your oranges by turning them into scented candles
It is advised that you help your immune system fight off the virus by eating healthy. This includes consuming fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals to give your body that boosts your immunity.
If you love munching on oranges, you can try making this super easy scented candle.
Materials needed:
- Oranges
- Candle lighter or igniter
- Essential oil of your choosing
- Knife
How to make your own orange candle:
- Cut the orange in half.
- Carefully run the edge of your knife between the orange slices and the peel. This will make it easier for you to take out the slices.
- Remove the orange slices from the peel, leaving out the stem in the middle. The stem is the white stuff in the middle of the slices.
- Once you’ve taken out the fruit off the skin, you can now pour your essential oil into the skin. Make sure it’s 3/4 full with the stem sticking out.
- Let the essential oil sit in the orange skin for about 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, you can now try to light your home scents candles by igniting the stem. You may need to do this a couple of times for the stem to catch fire.
2. Make your own scented air spray
When disinfecting your home, your nose may hate you for the strong bleach scent of your disinfectants. Try to make your own scented spray that you can use right after you do your regular house cleaning.
Materials needed:
- Baking soda
- Fabric softener of your choice
- Water
How to make your scented spray:
- Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with 1/8 cup of fabric softener and a half cup of water.
- Stir it all together thoroughly and place inside a spray bottle.
- Spray on surfaces or in rooms to get that wonderful scent around your home.
Not only will this keep your home smelling good, but clean and germ-free as well!
3. Try out different organic mixes to make your own air freshener
You can make quick and easy air fresheners using organic ingredients such as spices and fruits. These wonderfully scented air fresheners can be customized according to your taste; mix different ingredients to create the scent of your choosing.
Materials needed:
- Water
- Spices (e.g. thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, anise, etc.)
- Citrus fruits (e.g. oranges, lemons, limes, etc.)
- Essential oils
- Mason jars
How to make your own air freshener:
- Choose your own combination of the ingredients mentioned and combine them with water. The water you’ll need should be enough to cover the ingredients and fill the mason jar.
- You can try out several different combinations of these scents. Store them in the refrigerator when you’re not using them.
- To use your air freshener, you will need to heat the mixture to help distribute these home scents. You can heat it on the stove in a regular pot or in a slow cooker. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer.
- For a stronger scent, you can double or triple the amount of the mixture and use a bigger pot.
4. Make a baking soda air purifier
Baking soda is a potent material that is used in many different ways at home. You can use it on your skin, in cleaning surfaces, and even in purifying the air. Are you stuck at home and you’re getting tired of that stuffy smell? Create your own baking soda air purifier to clear the smell.
Materials needed:
- Baking soda
- Herbs or spices
- Essential oils
- Breathable fabric (muslin or burlap)
- Hair tie or rubber band
- Mason jar
How to make your own baking soda air purifier:
- Fill your mason jar halfway with baking soda.
- Depending on your preference, mix herbs and spices in the baking soda. Make sure you distribute it evenly inside the jar.
- Cover the jar with the breathable fabric and keep it secure using a hair tie or rubber band.
5. Create your own natural perfume
You can also use your quarantine time by getting into perfume making. Perfumes made from organic ingredients are all the rage because it poses no health risks and it’s a lot cheaper than most perfumes out there. Even if you’re not going out any time soon, it’s nice to smell good. Creating a perfume takes a lot of time, which is a perfect activity while the enhanced community quarantine is still in effect.
Materials needed:
- Herbs or spices
- Flowers (optional)
- Essential oils (you can even use olive oil here if you don’t mind its smell)
- Dark stained glass jar
How to make your own natural perfume:
- Place the spices or herbs inside the glass jar. You can include flowers if you’d like.
- Grind the ingredients together lightly. This can help bring out the scent.
- Pour a small amount of oil into the jar, just enough to cover the herbs or spices.
- Shut the jar tightly and leave it in a cool dark place for two weeks.
- After two weeks, strain the mixture to take out the solid materials. If the scent isn’t strong enough for you, you can add a new batch of spices or herbs and oils. Store it again for another two weeks.
Quarantine time shouldn’t be wasted. Although the world is facing a crisis, you should not let it drive you to sit idly by. Use this time to be creative and one way to do that is to get into organic scents. You’ll acquire new skills and even freshen up your condo along the way!