If you love to keep your home smelling good, but don’t love doing so with harsh chemicals and overpowering fragrances, then we’ve got just the solution: a simmer pot! Simmer pots use natural ingredients and boiling water as a way to naturally smell up your home. (In a good way!) Simmer pots are perfect for when you’re expecting guests or if you’re spending the ultimate cozy day at home. What we love most about them, aside from the fact they’re all-natural, is that you get to make your own scents and YOU control how strong the scent is.
The method for making simmer pots is super simple; you’ll start with six cups of water in a stainless steel pot, bring it to a slow boil, then add your ingredients. (It’s seriously that easy!) Just be sure to walk by your simmer pot every once in a while to give it a good stir, and to make sure there is still enough water in your pot.
If you’re unsure where or how to start, no worries! Here are a few of our favorite simmer pot recipes!
Pumpkin Spice
For all you latte lovers, the ultimate fall scent.
What you’ll need: 1 small pie pumpkin, fresh sage leaves, maple syrup, 2 teaspoons of ground cloves, and 6 cups of water
Gingerbread
When you don’t feel like dragging out all of the ingredients and utensils to bake cookies, but still want to enjoy the smell.
What you’ll need: 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 pieces of ginger, 1 tablespoon pure almond extract, 1 tablespoon whole cloves, and 6 cups of water
Recipe from The Spruce Crafts
Bay Wreath
If you prefer more of an earthy aroma to fill your home, a bay wreath simmer pot is where it’s at.
What you’ll need: 5 bay leaves, 3 sprigs of rosemary, 1 sliced lemon, and 6 cups of water
Recipe from The Spruce Crafts
Lemon and Rosemary
If you adore rosemary, this lemon and rosemary simmer pot is every shade of warm and cozy. This simmer pot is just as enjoyable in the fall or winter as it is fresh in the spring and summer.
What you’ll need: 1 lemon (sliced), 2 rosemary sprigs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 cups of water
Recipe from: Home Cooking Memories
Coffee
Okay, usually when we want the house to smell like coffee, we just brew a pot and enjoy the goods. But apparently, some people don’t like coffee? News to us. Here’s a simmer pot for those of you that get joy from the smell of java.
What you’ll need: 1 cup coffee beans (coarsely ground), 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups of water
Recipe from: SJ Coffee
Lemon Lavender
Another scent that is cozy and fresh all-year-round!
What you’ll need: 1 lemon (sliced), 3 – 4 oranges (sliced), ¼ cup dried lavender, ½ cup fresh thyme
Recipe from: Get Green Be Well