Similar to primary colors, all scents fall into a few basic categories: minty (peppermint), floral (roses), musky (musk), ethereal (pears), resinous (camphor), foul (rotten eggs), and acrid (vinegar).
I could write an entire book devoted to our sense of smell and how smells affect us (Beethoven used to store rotten apples in his desk to give him inspiration). Even though our sense of smell is precise, often we find it almost impossible to describe how something smells to someone who hasn’t shared the scent. When we do have to describe a smell, we often rely on explaining how it makes us feel— a smell is disgusting, intoxicating, delightful or revolting and so on. Smell is so important to us however, we need to look at it in this way: it comes in with our breath, a cooked air, if you will, and we live in a state of constant simmering.
Images and emotions
A smell can be overwhelmingly nostalgic because it triggers powerful images and emotions before we have time to edit them. And smells have been manipulated to help sell things—the realtor suggests “baking cookies,” the car salesmen looks for that “new car” or leather smell, shopping malls have the “pizza” smell, and clothing shops seek the “clean laundry” smell.
Smells can make us feel better, and it’s said that the smell of spiced apples can reduce blood pressure in people under stress and avert a panic attack, and that lavender can wake up one’s metabolism and alertness. A report from the Chronicle of Higher Education says that fragrances can increase typing speed and work efficiency in general.
Before the scent
Don’t rely on scent to mask bad smells however. The best way to provide a foundation for scent is with a proper cleaning. By keeping your house clean and taking precautions to prevent odors, that begins the underpinning for a pleasing atmosphere. Vinegar mixed with water is the best all-round cleaning agent for surfaces other than wood. Lemon oil reduced with water not only nurtures wood, but leaves behind a glorious citrus smell. If the garbage is taken out frequently, the bathroom is scoured weekly, and pets are monitored with both baths and brushing, you’re half way there.
Natural Scents
Because of air conditioning we keep ourselves boxed up. Try to leave at least one window open at the coolest part of everyday and air your home out on a monthly basis. Plants go a long way to reducing unwanted smells and a fan near a window helps to circulate air into your home.
Candles
Candles come in every fragrance and price point imaginable. There is even Diptyque Foin Coupé (Fresh Mown Hay), for those farm fantasies and available at upscale boutiques and pricey retailers like Neiman Marcus online. A few others are: Aedes, Bigelow Chemists, Lusciouscargo, and Four Seasons products. Most candles deposit soot and films on your walls and furniture. One way to avert this blot is to burn soy candles, a much cleaner product.
Diffusers
Diffusers do not leave a film as candles do and being cleaner translates into better, more breathable air. Look for diffusers that are high in oil. Like perfume, they will last longer. The safer reed system cuts your risk of fire too. To refresh them, simply turn the reeds upside down once a week.
Potpourri and scented rocks
Always a great option heaped into bowls and placed on the back of the commode, at the entrance to the house, or near a window. I found a great site listed below that has potpourri recipes to check out. And you can always refresh potpourri with essential oils found at just about any craft store or Walmarts. And if price is not a consideration: L'Artisan Parfumeur Terra-Cotta Amber Balls at several hundred dollars are sold at Neiman Marcus.
Smelly tricks
Make your own sachets by putting scented rocks or partially burned candles into plastic zip bags with holes and then slip them into a cotton glove to keep oils from ruining clothes. Or you can always hang them in a closet. Carpet sweetners are a good option and even baking soda sprinkled on a rug and then vacuumed will do the trick.
Simmer one cinnamon stick and some cloves in water on the stove or a little vanilla extract warmed in an aluminum pan in the oven will do the trick, but baked cookies are an infinitely better idea, don’tchathink?
Hazards
In another vein—scent products are suspected in a slew of health problems, ranging from minor respiratory irritation and asthma to skin issues and even cancer. A recent investigation of 14 common air fresheners by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found hormone-disrupting chemicals known as phthalates in 12 products, including some fresheners marketed as "all-natural" and "unscented. "None of the air fresheners listed phthalates on their labels. Phthalates are known to interfere with hormone and testosterone production. The only two products that tested entirely free of phthalates were Febreze Air Effects and Renuzit Subtle Effects, both sprays. For more info on that: http://www.nrdc.org/health/home/airfresheners.asp
Potpourri recipes:
http://www.essortment.com/all/scentshome_rylk.htm
Neiman Marcus: search for premier (and expensive) home scent options:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/
High-end home fragrance retailer: http://www.aedes.com
A lady who knows her candles:
http://www.aromascope.com/wp/category/home-scents/
Minnesota lawmaker is seeking to ban fragrances in schools sighting headaches,
rashes and MCS—allergies to scents in personal care products:
http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Formulation-Science/Minnesota-lawmaker
-campaigns-for-scent-hazard-awareness
http://inclotheslinealley.blogspot.com/2008/02/natural-home-scents.html
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