I am always looking for different ways to make my house smell good without being overpowering.  Once a fan of commercial air fresheners, now I am seeking a more natural, chemical -free version.  The commercial air fresheners are not only expensive, they hardly ever smell like what they are claiming to.  I found there are many ways to freshen your home without using harsh chemicals.  Here is my first attempt at a natural air freshener:

Mmmmm….ahhhhh…can you smell the fresh orange rinds???  I wish you could, my house is full of this clean citrus smell.  AND I am reusing part of the oranges I ate!  I used the rinds of two oranges and covered them with water and let them simmer on the stove.  Keep filling up your water so you don't burn the rinds.  BONUS:  I swear it is clearing my sinuses!  I can't wait to do this with lemons and limes.

Here are some other natural ways to clean your air:

*A couple of drops of lemon oil in your vacuum filter or bag will scent wherever you vacuum with wonderful lemon scent

*Sprinkle your carpet with plain baking soda to absorb odors before vacuuming

*Reuse a dryer sheet by placing it in your vacuum bag to scent your home with the smell of fresh laundry

*Fill a fine mist spray bottle with white vinegar to remove any odors, once the vinegar smell goes away, so do the odors

*Use essential oils like lemon, lavender, orange, etc throughout your home.  You can place a few drops on a cotton ball and hide them.  Or mix oils with distilled water in a spray bottle and spray through the air.

*Plants also clean the air, they take in pollutants with carbon dioxide and give back oxygen

Have you discovered a natural way to scent your home that I haven't mentioned?  Do you find natural fresheners just as good or better than commercial?  I'd love to hear your ideas.

Happy Weekend!