This season it’s time to ditch your synthetic fall fragrances and go all-natural. Here are the 3 best non-toxic ways to make your home smell like fall.
If you are anything like me, once September is here I am ready to fill my home with the scents of the season. The smell of cool crisp autumn air, roasting marshmallows over the campfire, freshly baked apple pie, and cinnamon chai lattes are all I want my home to smell of. These scents just set the mood and remind me of all the cozy season activities and traditions.
In previous years, you can bet I was first in line at Bath and Body Works to grab their new fall candles. It was one of my favorite ways to make my home smell like fall, but did you know that most conventional candles are actually toxic? Once I dug into this issue further, I decided I no longer wanted to burn conventional candles in my home. Instead, I found other alternatives that are actually beneficial to our bodies and don’t cause harm. And lucky for you, I am here to share them!
If you’d like to know a little more about why candles can be toxic, continue reading below. If you’d rather just know the three best non-toxic ways to make your home smell like fall then skip ahead!
What Makes Conventional Candles Toxic?
Candles are one of the biggest sources of in-home air pollution. Most candles are made from paraffin wax which is a by-product of petroleum. When burned it releases similar emissions to that of diesel fuel. Ever get a headache around candles? Well, you are not alone. Burning paraffin wax can cause other negative side effects such as lung, eye, and skin irritations.
Besides the burning of paraffin wax, candles are infused with “fragrances”. And did you know that the word “fragrance” can refer to over 100 different ingredients and chemicals? One of these being phthalates, which are known to be cancer-causing and endocrine-disrupting.
Now I don’t tell you this to create fear. Having so much fear is probably worse than the chemicals themselves. It is impossible to live toxin-free, but if you can lessen the toxin load in your environment then you are already doing so much good for your body. Remember you have a liver and kidney to help your body detox you of the toxins you come into contact with daily.
With all that said, there are so many alternatives to candles that are just as good and are safe for your home and family. Here are my three favorite non-toxic ways to make your home smell like fall!
3 Non-Toxic Ways To Make Your Home Smell like Fall
1. Fall Stovetop Potpourri
Making a stovetop potpourri is a fun and creative way to fill your house with the scents of the season. Simmering spices, herbs, and fruits together create a heavenly aroma that can’t be beat. It takes two minutes to make and you can easily mix up the ingredients based on what you already have at home. Here are my favorite ingredients for a fall potpourri!
- 1 apple sliced
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 tbl vanilla extract
- 2-4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbl whole cloves
Fill a medium size pot or dutch oven about 3/4 full of water. I love using my Lodge cast iron dutch oven for this. Add all of your potpourri ingredients to the pot. Bring to a boil for a few minutes then turn down to simmer. Let it simmer for as long as you’d like and enjoy the aroma. If the water is running low, fill it with more water. You can save your potpourri mixture by storing it in a jar and reheating it the next day. It should last about three days.
2. Fall Diffuser Blends
Essential oils are a great way to scent your home because they are made from all-natural plants and herbs, thus containing no artificial fragrance. Not only do they smell good, but they can actually provide a lot of different health benefits too. They provide support to our immune system and emotional well-being. You can mix and match different essential oils to create your perfect fall diffuser blend. These are some of my fall favorites:
Pumpkin Spice
- 2 drops cinnamon
- 3 drops vanilla
- 3 drops orange
- 2 drops clove
Apple Cider
- 4 drops grapefruit
- 3 drops christmas spirit (Young Living Blend)
- 3 drops Bergamot
- 2 drops clove
Sweater Weather
- 3 drops orange
- 3 drops cedarwood
- 4 drops black Spruce
- 2 drops cinnamon
3. Non-Toxic Candles
If you still aren’t ready to give up candles…I know nothing beats the convenience and ambiance of a candle right? Look for candles made from 100% beeswax rather than paraffin. Make sure the word fragrance is not listed as an ingredient, because that most likely includes those harmful substances such as phthalates.
My favorite non-toxic candle company is Grow Fragrance. They create 100% plant-based and toxin-free products. Their fall candles like ginger pumpkin and apple pomander are divine. You can find their candles here.
If you are looking for some simple candle sticks or tea lights, then check out these from Bluecorn Beeswax. Did you know that beeswax can actually clean your air? When burned, it emits negative ions which combat the air pollution in your home working similarly to an air purifier. How cool?
As you can see, there are many other ways to make your home smell like fall besides synthetic candles. Although you can’t control all the toxins in the world, you are the gatekeeper of your home. Create a space that supports your optimal well-being while still being fun and festive throughout the seasons!
OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- 15 Easy Fall Decor Ideas To Make Your Home Cozy This Season
- Halloween Bar Cart Decor Ideas
- High-Protein Pumpkin Pancakes
Leave a Reply