We mentioned this cheap and easy DIY idea in our Holiday Gift Guide, but this specific project is so simple and fun that it bears repeating.
While browsing some fancy schmancy aroma diffuser kits (you know, the ones with oil, a vase and some reeds) we wondered if we could make our own on the cheap. So we did. One pack of $1 skewers from the grocery store plus a vase that we just happened to have laying around (picked up at Target for $3 a while ago) plus some yummy smelling liquid…
… magically became a chic little aroma diffuser:
You can clip the skewers to the right length using a wire cutter if they seem a bit long. And you can find a big bottle of fragrance oil at any dollar store so this whole project (which also makes a great gift) can easily come in under $5. Score!
Due to our recent indoor air-pollution obsession, we decided to shy away from artificial fragrances (which can be irritating to some people) and use a smidge of our naturally scented Mrs. Meyers Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner in Lemon Verbena instead. It might sound weird to put soap in a vase and call it a room fragrance, but the naturally scented essential oils in the cleaning solution lightly scent the air for a refreshing grassy-lemon smell that’s pretty close to intoxicating without having to worry about any toxins. And every so often we flip the sticks over in the vase for another burst of fragrance that lasts for weeks.
In fact we liked our little DIY diffuser so much that we made two of ’em, one for the windowsill in the kitchen, and one for the open shelves in our living room. And every time we walk by they smell tantalizingly clean and fresh. How about you guys… do you have any favorite ways to keep your home smelling delectable? Do tell.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Claudia says
Mrs. Myers is mos def the best for cleaning and making our house smell GREAT! Good tip, Youngsters!
Benita says
Sounds like a great little project. Can’t see the photos though :(
Becka says
That is a great idea, those air diffuser sticks are so expensive. I too am worried about indoor air pollution. I love Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena, I use the electric diffuser from them and all their cleaning supplies in my home. I think Peppermint is still in my diffuser from the holidays. Thanks for the wonderful ideas. Love your blog.
faith says
I agree that this is a great little project, but I use Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena on a daily basis and I can’t imagine that the smell of clean countertops in the kitchen would be quite as pleasing anywhere else in my home. Gag…I agree with Becka above, maybe try peppermint or some other natural essential oil, but NOT Mrs. Myers Lemon Verbena all-purpose cleaning solution.
noelle says
I don’t think a big bottle of fragrance from the dollar store would be your best option to make your home smell good. Anything with ‘fragrance’ on the ingredient list is something you should stay away from. Major irritants.
Cindy says
Well, we still use Airwick airfreshners and like them. Plus, we use an hot oil diffuser and oils from The Body Shop to scent the house. For even more kick, and great ambiance, we also burn scented candles. My fave brand of candles and reed diffusers are Essenza.
Rachel says
Another idea is essential oil on cotton balls. Every once in awhile I dip a ball into oil and place it in corners, under furniture, under the car seats. Just be sure to put a small scrap of foil under it to protect your floor! I’m really paranoid about plug ins and other fragrance things so this has worked really well for me. That and growing rosemary and jasmine in the house!
Sarah from Create says
Genius! What a fabulous idea! Those things are ridiculously over-priced regularly and your alternative is not only cheap, but way more safe than a candle! Definitely worth the repost! Thanks!
two Excited nests. says
oooh, I cannot wait to try this! I heart your ideas so much!!!
Karla says
LOVE it! Saw the idea when you posted it and got right to work with things I already had! Then blogged about it – giving credit where credit is due!
http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/01/why-didnt-i-think-of-that.html
Thanks so much for the ideas! You guys are great! Love your blog!
~Karla
Lauren says
So, I bought the Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbana dish soap, and put it in a vase, but it doesn’t spread the fragrance at all. Is that what happened with you? I’m going to have to buy a big bottle of fragrance stuff from Hobby Lobby or something. Pretty cute idea though.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lauren,
We actually used the Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena All Purpose Cleaner (not the dish soap) and it still smelly yummy and subtle (nothing in your face, but you get a whiff whenever you breeze by ’em).
One tip is to flip your sticks over every week or two which will release more of the scent since the tips of the skewers that were sitting in the soap will now be face up with their scent wafting through the room. Hope it helps!
xo,
Sherry
Susan says
Hep to this nifty trick after having way to many skewers left over after making yummy kabobs, I plopped a few in a vase with some of my favourite scented oil only to step back and think it looked a little blah.
One quick trip to the pet store later, I snagged some luxe small pebbles(not the bright coloured gravel which I thought might look a little tacky, but shinny pea sized stones.)
Revisiting this, you could also drop in some small sea shells, deco beads or even beans!
Emma says
We place used dryer sheets in the air vents at our house during the winter- every time the furnace kicks on its smells fresh & clean. We keep them tucked in drawers, inside shoes, and even the glove box of the car.
I like to keep a small pot on the stove on a minimal simmer with water and fresh herbs in it- lavender is nice, as is mint, used and scraped vanilla bean pods, and cinnamon sticks in the winter, of course.
Brenda says
You guys are just ridiculously clever!
Mary says
I mix about 12 drops of essential oil in a small spray bottle of vodka,give it a good shake, and spray as needed. Be sure to use a good brand of essential oil, such as Aura Cacia or Wyndmere. It’s fun to make blends–lavender and peppermint, or lemon and mint. The initial bottle of oil will require some $, but they last forever.
Stacy Lapinel says
I seriously fall even more in love with your blog each and every day! I’ll be using this “recipe” to make my own air fresheners from now on! Oh, and thanks for answering my questions about composting yesterday! It was a snap to make and I can’t wait to peel some veggies tonight and add them to my compost. : )
Karla@ {The Classy Woman} says
Never thought of using the cleaner-great idea! I have tried this one on my own and used some jojoba oil and a few drops of essential oil or orange (from Whole Foods), we also like lemon, peppermint, lemongrass and lavender.
I’m with you on the toxin-filled air fresheners. We stopped using them and artifically scented candles 3 yrs ago. Hubby was sneezing and we also realized anything from Bath & Body Works had to go too. I buy him natural hand soaps from method or another organic/eco-friendly co-usually the unscented while I enjoy their scented.
Carmen says
Hola, I love your blog. I did the reed diffuser and it doesn’t smell, am I doing something wrong?
thanks so much,
Carmen : )
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Carmen,
Try flipping the skewers over after they’ve been in the liquid for a while. Once they suck up the fragrance and are flipped over they’re so yummy smelling. Then just flip them over again from time to time, just to keep infusing the room with scent. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Melanie says
I have to tell you how much I love this idea, and because I too love the smell of Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbana all purpose cleaner. I’ve made 3 of these in my house, and think of you guys each time I smell them. I just can’t get enough. Thank you!
Sarah says
The Goodwill is a great place to find small trinket glassware. I picked up a small vase for a dime, added the skewers and Mrs. Meyers and it looks great and smells awesome. Hubby loved it and said we need to troll for more…I’m getting the feeling that diffuser madness might be taking hold of him.
Jane says
I would love to make a fragrance, even looked into the cost of ordering the solution (which I can’t remember at the moment) to mix essential oils with for the reed diffusers. The cost was prohibitive. Anyone know what else I can mix the essential oils with to make reed diffusers? thanks
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone know?
xo,
s
Nicole D says
Growing up my parents, brother, and I would make little cookie-cutter ornaments for our rooms and dressers. They are simple to make- just cinnamon, applesauce, and glue- and keep drawers smelling fresh and clean for years! :)
Terri says
Could you please email me the recipe? I would like to do that with my kids & for their rooms. Thank you so very much! Have a blessed day! Terri
YoungHouseLove says
I hope she comes back and sees your comment Terri! I also have seen some recipes for things like that on pinterest.com if that helps. I’d just do a search for that.
xo
s
Nick says
This is actually what I do for a living and people love our products. If you have the time and patience, you should definitely try making your own. It is such a good idea and with the right products, you will love your scents
Mia says
I followed links in yesterday’s post to past lists and eventually ended up here. Curious, do you still use your scent diffuser with Mrs Meyers? I think I would like it much more that what I have, but have you found something better since? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
I haven’t broken it out in the new house (it’s still stored empty from the move) but used it a lot in our last house, and I think once rooms come together more here we’ll break it out too! We don’t have very many decorative things out here yet for some reason. Lots are stuffed into boxes and cabinets still!
xo
s