A consistent blend of fresh, fragrant air goes a long way to enhancing your quality of life.
Groenewald says soy candles smell beautiful at close range; however, they don't always have what candle makers call a great 'throw' - a strong aroma which fills an entire room – making them ideal for small spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
So ‘furnishing’ your home with a pleasurable scent shouldn’t wait for special occasions or an opportunity to mask suspicious odours.
Naturally, household fragrances can never replace good housekeeping practices, but your friends and family are more likely to overlook a bit of untidiness if the surroundings smell fresh. This is because a heavenly sent around the home gives the impression that your home is clean.
We also tend to spend more time in a well fragranced space because it makes us feel at ease.
How to choose a household scent
Michelle Cloete, Glade’s marketing manager says, if you’re looking to fuse scent with style in your home, pick a fragrance that will go hand in hand with a specific mood you would like to feel, the atmosphere you would like to create or one that matches your personality.
She says bear in mind that a fragrance should always complement your décor and add to the overall look and feel of the room.
Reed diffusers also make use of essential oils, which can last up to eight weeks and can be easily refilled with scented oils.
“For example, if you have a modern space with neutral colours such as white, beige or pastels, a clean scent like clean linen would be best.”
What are the options?
The number of fragrance options that are available on the market continues to grow and each brand promises safe, quality fragrances that last long.
The reality is, each product has its pros and cons so it’s up to you to decide what would best satisfy your household needs. Here are some ideas...
Candles
Soy candles are made from soy wax and they’re a greener alternative to paraffin candles.
Maija Groenewald from the Cape Town Candle Company says a well made soy candle will burn cleanly and slowly, so there will be no black smoke on your walls.
She says soy candles can be made in virtually any aroma that you can imagine.
If you're after subtle, delicate notes, make use of fewer reed sticks.
She explains that most soy candles in South Africa are made using essential/aroma therapy oils that can also be used on the skin as massage oils.
Groenewald says they smell beautiful at close range; however, they don't always have what candle makers call a great 'throw' - a strong aroma which fills an entire room – making them ideal for small spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
The allure of scented candles not only comes from their sweet smell but also from the flickering glow they provide.
Just remember to be cautious with lit candles, especially near hanging fabrics or in a home with children.
Reed diffusers
Scented reed diffusers come in attractive designs for decorative home fragrancing.
With reed diffusers you could have a simple window display or opt for something more elaborate depending on your décor.
Oil burners use tea lights and have elegant bases in different shapes, sizes and colours.
Diffusers also make use of essential oils, which can last up to eight weeks. The diffuser container can then be reused by simply refilling the bottle with scented oils.
The magic of diffusers lie with the reed sticks - they are what make the fragrance. So if you’re looking for a more intense aroma, simply flip the sticks upside down so that the saturated ends are exposed.
For delicate notes, make use of fewer sticks.
Be careful with essential oils around children, as these can be ingested.
It’s best to use a coaster under your reed diffuser to avoid any spills that might damage your home’s surfaces.
Oil burners
Oil burners use tea lights and have elegant bases in different shapes, sizes and colours.
The trick to successfully using an oil burner is placing a tablespoon of water into the burner’s well before lighting the candle. Add a few drops of fragrance oil and enjoy.
The best burners have large wells that allow homeowners to add enough water in them. This prevents the burner from drying out quickly.
Oil burners should be placed on a heat proof surface, away from draughts and anything flammable.
Cloete says homeowners should play around with different scents so that they can personally witness the different effects each fragrance has on them and how they communicate your style.
She says try different product options to see which works best for you and the size of the rooms in your home.
She advises homeowners to follow the instructions provided to get the most out of their products. – Katlego Sekano
Print
