How To Make Your Home Smell Like Fall

What smells do you think of when you think of fall? Pumpkin spice, naturally! You are most likely thinking of the spices in pumpkin spice mix, which include cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg, among a few others. You probably think of warm apples and maple leaves as well. The simmer pot recipe in this article ties in all of those scents to make your home smell like a cozy, fall evening. 

What Is A Simmer Pot?

Simply put, a simmer pot is an assortment of ingredients that you combine together in water inside a large pot over medium-low heat to simmer for several hours. While the pot is simmering, the ingredients release a concentrated aroma into the air, filling your house with good smells. You know how a pot of soup can fill the home with a tasty aroma? Well, the same thing happens with a simmer pot. It’s a much healthier version of an air freshener spray or plug-in, many of which contain harmful chemicals. 

Scent is integral to setting the ambiance and creating a specific mood. An interior designer makes sure to decorate well and set lighting to establish the right feel and atmosphere, right? Well, you can set the fall mood in your home by filling it with the aroma from a fall simmer pot. 

Why You’ll Love This Simmer Pot

If you visit home stores, or almost any store for that matter, during the holidays, you probably see a lot of holiday-themed candles. Sugar cookie delight, apple cider, and cinnamon pine cones are all popular candle scents. Although candles are great, there is something more homey about creating your own scent with natural ingredients. Plus, you know that the simmer pot will not release any harsh chemicals or faux fragrances into the air. 

What you will smell is a delightfully warm scent that lasts for a couple days. You can warm this simmer pot recipe for one day and wake up still smelling that intoxicating fall scent the following day. 

How To Make A Simmer Pot

The good news about simmer pots is that you can be very creative with your ingredient blends. If you enjoy more cloves than cinnamon sticks, use more of them! Having control over the amount of each ingredient allows you to have certain scents be more dominant than others. Alternatively, you can keep an even measurement for ingredients to create a uniquely cohesive and balanced simmer pot aroma. The exact measurements we used, including instructions, are detailed below. 

DIY Fall Simmer Pot

Ingredients:

• 1/2 orange, thinly sliced
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 3 bay leaves
• 4 star anise
• 9 whole cloves
• 1 sprig rosemary

Instructions:

• Fill a medium-sized pot halfway with water and place it over medium heat. 
• Add the ingredients to the pot once the water starts to warm up. Stir in the ingredients and bring the liquid to a simmer (about five to 10 minutes).
• Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for at least two hours. Keep an eye on the water level and add more if it starts to get too low. 
• Remove from heat and leave uncovered for hours to let the aroma fill your home.