Scent Your Home Naturally with DIY Fragrance Stones, No Toxins Required

Green Living

©iStockphoto.com/marlies plank
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Major companies are profiting off of home fragrance products such as candles, sprays, and discs. These products may seem like a quick fix for unpleasant smells, but they are often full of harmful toxins and chemicals. Breathing in these chemicals can be dangerous for your health, and can overpower any pleasant scent.

DIY Home Fragrance Stones

Home fragrance stones are small, scented “rocks” that can be used to freshen up a room, closet, or drawer. There are countless scents to choose from, and you can even create your own unique aromatherapy blends. When the scent begins to fade, simply add a few drops of the original scent to refresh it.

These scented stones also make great, inexpensive gifts when wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a ribbon, or added to a gift basket. During the holiday season, you can roll out the dough and cut it into festive shapes to create scented Christmas ornaments. Simply punch a hole in the top, add a raffia bow, and hang them on your tree. You can even mold the dough around chopsticks to create scented beads for necklaces and bracelets.

How to Make Home Fragrance Stones

This is an easy project that can be done by children as young as 3 or 4 years old with the help of an older sibling or adult.

Materials

– 1 ½ cups of white flour

– ¼ cup of salt

– ¼ tsp of cornstarch

– 2/3 cup of boiling water

– 1 Tbs of essential oil or fragrance blend

– 2 Tbs of dried herbs (optional)

– Natural food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the dry ingredients together and set aside.

2. Stir in fragrance oil and coloring to boiling water and pour over the dry ingredients.

3. Stir until a ball of dough is formed.

4. Knead the dough until it is smooth like pastry dough.

5. Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into small balls, or roll the dough out and cut it with festive cookie cutters.

6. Allow the stones to dry completely before using or giving as a gift.

Scents

You can use essential oils for an all-natural product, or fragrance oils meant for soap, bath bombs, and candles. While fragrance oils are not organic, they offer a wide variety of scents such as milk chocolate, rain, green tea, and maple vanilla. You can also mix your own custom scents from either the essential oils or the fragrance oils.

When purchasing fragrance oils, make sure they do not contain Diethyl Phthalates (DEP). This is a controversial ingredient that may pose a risk to your health. Choosing organic essential oils is the safest choice for this project.

Where to Purchase Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils

Opting to purchase fragrance oils and essential oils from a local craft shop is the best choice. However, if the craft shop does not have the oils or carries limited amounts, you can always purchase them online. There are numerous suppliers available on the internet, including:

• From Nature with Love
• Save On Scents
• Sweet Cakes

FAQ

1. What are fragrance stones?

Fragrance stones are small decorative stones that can be infused with natural fragrances to create a pleasant scent in your home. They are typically made from natural materials like clay or plaster, and can be scented with essential oils or other natural fragrances.

2. How do I make my own fragrance stones?

There are several ways to make your own fragrance stones, but one simple method is to mix together equal parts baking soda and water until you have a thick paste. Then, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and mix well. Mold the mixture into small stones or shapes and let them dry for several days.

3. What are some good essential oils to use for fragrance stones?

There are many essential oils that work well for fragrance stones, including lavender, peppermint, lemon, and eucalyptus. You can also experiment with other oils to find your favorite scent combinations.

4. How long do fragrance stones last?

The longevity of fragrance stones depends on several factors, including the size of the stone, the amount of fragrance used, and the environment they are placed in. Generally, fragrance stones can last for several weeks to a few months before needing to be refreshed with more fragrance.

5. How do I refresh the scent of my fragrance stones?

To refresh the scent of your fragrance stones, simply add a few drops of essential oil or other natural fragrance to the stone and mix well. You can also use a spray bottle to spritz the stones with a diluted fragrance solution.

6. Can fragrance stones be used in any room of the house?

Yes, fragrance stones can be used in any room of the house to add a pleasant scent. You can place them in a decorative dish, hang them from a hook, or place them in a sachet to hang in a closet or drawer.

7. Are fragrance stones safe to use around pets and children?

As long as you are using natural fragrances and non-toxic materials to make your fragrance stones, they are generally safe to use around pets and children. However, it’s always a good idea to keep them out of reach of small children and pets to avoid any accidents.

8. Can fragrance stones be used as a natural air freshener?

Yes, fragrance stones are a great natural alternative to chemical air fresheners. They can help to neutralize odors and add a pleasant scent to any room in your home.

9. How do I store my fragrance stones?

To store your fragrance stones, simply place them in a closed container or bag to protect them from moisture and dust. You can also add a few drops of fragrance to the container to keep the stones fresh.

10. How can I customize the look of my fragrance stones?

You can customize the look of your fragrance stones by adding natural coloring agents like beet juice or food coloring to the mixture before molding. You can also add dried flowers or herbs to the mixture for added texture and fragrance.

11. Can fragrance stones be used outdoors?

While fragrance stones are typically used indoors, they can also be used outdoors to add a pleasant scent to your patio or garden. However, they may need to be refreshed more frequently due to exposure to the elements.

12. Are fragrance stones environmentally friendly?

Yes, fragrance stones made from natural materials and essential oils are environmentally friendly and sustainable. They are a great alternative to chemical air fresheners, which can be harmful to the environment and contribute to indoor air pollution.