This holiday season, why not steer clear of artificial fragrances and try this natural simmering potpourri!
Why Should I Avoid Artificial Fragrances?
One of the most popular artificial holiday fragrances is Scentsicles.The maker of Scentsicles lists one ingredient only: pure fragrance oil. The unfortunate truth, however, is that pure fragrance oil is only the tip of the chemical iceberg. Due to nebulous regulations companies are not required to disclose the specific chemicals used their formulations.
With more than 5,000 chemicals in the fragrance industry, it’s impossible to know which ones you’ll find in this burst of cinnamon fragrance. One scented product can contain as many as 600 chemical ingredients.
Even the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has acknowledged the health risks associated with the fragrance industry. They have forbidden all scented and fragrance products in their offices since 2009. According to their fragrance-free policy,
“Scented or fragranced products are prohibited at all times in all interior space owned, rented, or leased by CDC. This includes the use of:
• Incense, candles, or reed diffusers
• Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind
• Wall-mounted devices, similar to fragrance-emitting devices that operate automatically or by pushing a button to dispense deodorizers or disinfectants
• Potpourri
• Plug-in or spray air fresheners
• Urinal or toilet blocks
• Other fragranced deodorizer/re-odorizer products”
If a fragrance-free environment is critical to the CDC, why not follow their lead and do the same in our homes and offices?
DIY Holiday Potpourri
Thankfully, there are lots of ways to incorporate the smell of cinnamon into your holidays. Try this simple potpourri blend and place it in a small crock pot near the tree, or simmer it right on your stove!
Homemade Simmering Potpourri
- Category: Natural Living
Ingredients
- 1 orange or lemon, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup whole cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in saucepan or small crockpot.
- Simmer on low setting.
- Replace water as needed.
- Enjoy!
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I would like to know more about how to avoid chemicals and how to make my own cleaning products.
You’re on the right track, Sammy. The best place to start is with white vinegar in a spray bottle. That’s what I did my first year!
Thank you for catching that, Cindy! I added it!