There’s nothing better than a nice smelling home, or a nice smelling anything for that matter. Unfortunately, many scented products on the market either pucker out too quickly or simply cost way too much. Our noses also get used to smells, both the good and bad.

Here’s an easy way to keep your home fragrant without busting the bank (thereby giving you the option to frequently change out the scents).

Use a coffee warmer to gently heat fragrances and release the aroma into your rooms. Coffee warmers, as I originally knew them, are sold as candle warmers as well. Great for both purposes, they are also great for keeping your home fresh.

Place a warmer in any room, near and outlet, and preferrably not too far from the return vent of your home. By placing your scents near the return airflow, you’ll guarantee a flow of evenly scented air. (Be sure to turn on your whole-house fan, the heat or the A/C!)

On the warmer, use any type of vessel that can hold liquids, withstand a constant application of direct heat, and will look good with your decor. I like to use ceramic coffee cups in places that aren’t easily seen by visitors and votive candle holders (or similar) everywhere else. I prefer coffee cups because they can hold a nice amount of liquid, be heated easily in the microwave and have that handy-dandy handle to move from the sink to the warmer without spilling.

What to use in the warmer vessel?

You can use a wide variety of scent-producing items and products on the warmer as long as they meet the following criteria:

1. Must not be toxic.
2. Must not be offensive.
3. Must not burn easily.

Here are some examples I’ve used with success, however unconventional:

• Spray room fresheners (unscrew and pour)
• Essential oils in water (lavendar, peppermint, lemon, rosemary, etc.)
• Household cleaners (lemon-scented; about 1 capful per cup of water)
• Coffee (great if you love the smell of fresh brewed coffee)
• Extrats (vanilla, lemon, etc.; a capful or two in a cup of water)
• Liquid potpourri (an obvious choice that can be diluted with water)
• Vinegar (for removing odors; about 50/50 works well)
• Wax melts/tarts (simply drop into the vessel and heat; no water here)
• Perfumes (place a few drops in water)
• Conditioner (I love my conditioner so much I heat it!; mix with water)
• Liquid soaps (dilute with water and mix well)
• Lemon zest (lime and orange zest works as well)

Tip: To enjoy the scent quickly, preheat your vessel in the microwave if safe to do so. Also, for those products that fare better diluted with water, be sure to use hot water. It will take the coffee warmer a lot less time to heat the vessel and fragrance.