Here's a fresh take on the article:
Say Goodbye to Bland Homes with These Simple Scent-Boosting Tips
I came across an unusual method for adding a lovely fragrance to your home on social media lately, but it was a total letdown. It involved putting essential oils in a vacuum, which is definitely a no-go. So I decided to share some better options for keeping your living space smelling amazing, sans any potential dangers.
Just as I was scrolling through TikTok, I stumbled upon a video by cleaning influencer Kelly, aka the Rose Cleaner. She suggested putting some fragrance extract on furniture upholstery and hiding it in your home, which sounded a bit iffy. As a curious cat, I decided to give it a try.
My first question was, "What's upholstery, anyway?" After heading to Target, I discovered Scotch Felt Pads with a self-adhesive backing that attach under furniture legs to prevent damage to hardwood floors (yep, I have area rugs). I found similar ones for around $4.97 for a 32-pack.
My second question was, "Will essential oils attract bugs?" I reached out to baking wiz Allie Reinmann of Aussiedlerbote, and she confirmed that while essential oils can be used in food, they contain too much alcohol to be considered edible. She pointed out there's no sugar or anything that promotes bacteria growth, so I was sold. She also wondered how long the scent would last, but I was about to find out.
I bought a bottle of McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract for $8.39 for two ounces.
Now, let's talk scent, sans the stuffy vibes.
Scent Your Home in Stealth Mode
I grabbed a six-pack block and placed it on my workspace. I chose to place a bit of fragrance extract on each pad while they were still on the cardboard backing, which proved to be much smarter than I thought. I drizzled the extract over the backing and spread it around to make sure everything was covered.
I noticed the pads had a slightly shiny appearance due to the liquid, but they absorbed the extract quickly, so I allowed them to sit for about five minutes to ensure they fully absorbed the scent.
Then, I took a slightly damp cloth and stuck the pads under the tabletop. The room filled with a soothing vanilla scent instantly, but I wondered how long it would last.
I put the remaining five pads in a different room to see if the scent lingered longer and was stronger in that spot.
It's been around four hours since I did this, but the vanilla scent is still noticeable in both rooms. I'm calling it a success!
The best part about this method is that the pads have a self-adhesive backing, making it easy to place them in hidden spots around your house like in cabinets, closets, or under tables. Plus, it's an eco-friendly option since you won't have to buy as many replacements as you would with other air fresheners. You could even try this technique with essential oils, which might have a longer lasting scent since the oils don't evaporate like alcohol-based fragrances do.
Happy scenting, folks!
PS: If you're curious about desserts, how to cook a Monte Cristo sandwich, or making delicious chicken wings, check out our articles below for plenty of tasty ideas:
