Did you know Americans spend over $200 a year on fake air fresheners? You can skip the toxic chemicals and make your own natural DIY stovetop potpourri for less. Stovetop potpourri makes a wonderful homemade Christmas gift. Just choose a recipe from this tutorial, package it in a jar with a printable tag, and share it with your friends and neighbors.
Why I Love Stovetop Potpourri
From the beginning of our homesteading lifestyle, we worked hard to identify and eliminate exposures to toxic chemicals. While it’s not possible to eliminate them all, there are some easy swaps that can make a big impact.
Making my own household cleaning supplies not only reduces our chemical exposures but also saves money, helps support a zero-waste home, and replaces a consumer mindset with a producer mindset.
Here are my go-to recipes for homemade cleaning supplies:
- Homemade All-Purpose Spray Cleaner (Non-Toxic Recipe)
- Homemade Cleaning Paste (Non-Toxic & Natural Cleaning)
- Homemade Disinfectant Spray (Easy Non-Toxic Recipe)
- Homemade Glass Cleaner – An Easy Non-Toxic Recipe
- Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Powder
While I love a clean home, I also enjoy a home that smells good. It’s not practical to constantly have an Apple Brown Betty baking in the oven, but stovetop potpourri can replicate this aroma to last all day.
The sense of smell is the most closely related sense to memory. Think back to some of your favorite smells. Are they associated with happy childhood experiences?
Keeping potpourri simmering in our kitchen creates a unique scent that my children will associate with comforting memories of their childhood home, a tradition I hope they choose to continue with their families someday.
What Is Potpourri
Potpourri is a customized blend of flowers, herbs, and spices. These items are picked for their pleasant smells, making a natural perfume that fills the air.
Potpourri has a long history. It became popular in the French court in the 17th century. People used it to make rooms smell fresh and cover bad smells. Now, potpourri is a key item for making homes cozy and welcoming.
How to Make Potpourri Last
By picking the right ingredients and using proper simmering methods, you can extend the life of your stovetop potpourri. To make your potpourri last longer, follow these tips:
- Water Level – Check the water level often and add more as needed. This keeps the heat even and stops burning.
- Use Potent Ingredients – Use strong ingredients like cloves, star anise, and dried fruits. They keep their smell longer.
- Refresh Citrus Ingredients – Add new citrus slices or fresh herbs to make the potpourri smell fresh again.
Potpourri Combination Suggestions
Making customized potpourri lets you pick the perfect scents for any season or mood. Here are some popular blends that make your home smell inviting.
| Scent | Blend | Effect |
| Classic Christmas | Cinnamon Sticks, Vanilla Extract, Fresh Cranberries, and Pine Needles. | A warm, nostalgic smell that captures the holiday spirit. |
| Fresh and Citrusy | Lemon slices, orange peels, and rosemary | A lively, energetic smell that makes any room feel bright and fresh. |
| Warm and Spicy | Cloves, Ginger, Allspice, and Vanilla | A cozy scent for cold days that warms the air and also makes you feel relaxed and at home. |
| Bright and Floral | Lavender buds, rose petals, jasmine flowers, and citrus slices. | A fresh spring-inspired scent to welcome warm days to come. |
| Crisp and Energizing | Citrus Slices, mint, and ginger root. | An awakening aroma to sharpen your senses. |
Supplies Needed
- Saucepan – You can use any size pot you have available.
- Stovetop – This method also works great on a wood burning stove, or you can use a slow cooker (Crockpot).
- Potpourri Blend – Choose from one of the above blends, or customize your own. Homesteading Hack: Essential oils are popular, but they can add up really fast. You can try this essential oil brand, Simply Earth that I recently found, or save old orange and citrus peels, use whole or ground spices you have purchased in bulk, or forage for herbs, pine, fir, etc.
- Water – Nothing fancy here. Use plain tap water.
How to Make Stovetop Potpourri
When making stovetop potpourri, never leave the pot unattended while simmering, keep the pot away from children and pets, and add water regularly to prevent the pot from boiling dry.
- Fill your pot (or slow cooker) halfway with water.
- Add the ingredients to the pot, and make sure everything is covered by water.
- Put the pot on the stove and set the heat to medium-high (if using a slow cooker, set it on low.)
- When the water simmers, turn the heat down to low.
- Simmer gently throughout the day, adding water as needed to keep ingredients covered.
Did you make this stovetop potpourri? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see!
FAQ
Homemade stovetop potpourri is a way to make your home smell nice. You simmer water with things like cinnamon sticks and orange slices on the stove. It’s easy and doesn’t cost much.
It lasts a few hours. You can make it last longer by adding more water. You might get two to three uses from one batch.
You need things like cinnamon sticks and orange slices. Also, use rosemary, bay leaves, and star anise. Vanilla extract or fresh ginger can add a nice touch.
Yes, you can use essential oils such as lavender or peppermint oil, but this can get expensive. To keep potpourri affordable, use items in your spice cabinet or forage from nature.
Yes! A slow cooker is a great way to make potpourri. Just put your ingredients and water in it and set it on low. It will fill your home with scent all day without much work.
Always watch your potpourri and add water when it gets dry. Keep the heat low and never leave it alone while it’s on.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
- Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide
- Homemade All-Purpose Spray Cleaner (Non-Toxic Recipe)
- Homemade Cleaning Paste (Non-Toxic & Natural Cleaning)
- Homemade Disinfectant Spray (Easy Non-Toxic Recipe)
- Homemade Glass Cleaner – An Easy Non-Toxic Recipe
- Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Powder
Homemade Stovetop Potpourri
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Stovetop or wood stove
Ingredients
- potpourri blend see notes section for ideas
- water
Instructions
- Fill your pot (or slow cooker) halfway with water.
- Add the ingredients to the pot, and make sure everything is covered by water.
- Put the pot on the stove and set the heat to medium-high (if using a slow cooker, set it on low.)
- When the water simmers, turn the heat down to low.
- Simmer gently throughout the day, adding water as needed to keep ingredients covered.
Notes
| Scent | Blend | Effect |
| Classic Christmas | Cinnamon Sticks, Vanilla Extract, Fresh Cranberries, and Pine Needles. | A warm, nostalgic smell that captures the holiday spirit. |
| Fresh and Citrusy | Lemon slices, orange peels, and rosemary | A lively, energetic smell that makes any room feel bright and fresh. |
| Warm and Spicy | Cloves, Ginger, Allspice, and Vanilla | A cozy scent for cold days that warms the air and also makes you feel relaxed and at home. |
| Bright and Floral | Lavender buds, rose petals, jasmine flowers, and citrus slices. | A fresh spring-inspired scent to welcome warm days to come. |
| Crisp and Energizing | Citrus Slices, mint, and ginger root. | An awakening aroma to sharpen your senses. |
