How to Make Your Home Smell Like Fall DIY Simmer Pots and Easy Hacks

If you want your home to smell like fall, making a DIY simmer pot is one of the easiest and most natural ways to do it. Simply simmer water with ingredients like cinnamon sticks, apples, oranges, and cloves on your stove, and your whole house will fill with cozy, autumn scents. It’s quick, simple, and uses things you might already have in your kitchen.

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Besides simmer pots, there are other easy ways to bring that warm fall feeling into your space. You can use dried herbs, homemade potpourri, or even candles with scents like pumpkin and vanilla. These small touches help create a welcoming fall vibe without much effort or expense.

You don’t need fancy products or artificial fragrances to make your home smell like the season. With just a few natural ingredients and simple tricks, you can enjoy that classic fall aroma every day.

DIY Fall Simmer Pots: The Ultimate Guide

Making your home smell like fall is easy with a simmer pot. You only need a few natural ingredients and some water. You can use either your stovetop or a slow cooker to create cozy scents that fill your space.

What Is a Simmer Pot?

A simmer pot is a simple way to warm up your home with natural smells. You fill a pot with water and add things like fruit, herbs, and spices. Then, you heat it slowly to release their aromas. This is also called stovetop potpourri.

Simmer pots don’t need candles or sprays. They’re safe to leave on and easy to change up with whatever fall ingredients you like. You just add water as it evaporates and enjoy the warm, inviting smell.

Classic Fall Simmer Pot Ingredients

To make a fall simmer pot, start with water in your pot. Add cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and whole cloves for that classic spicy scent. Fresh apple slices or apple peels bring a sweet and crisp note.

Other popular items you can use are star anise, cardamom pods, bay leaves, and a bit of vanilla extract. You can also toss in cranberries or pine needles to add fresh and bright hints.

Feel free to mix and match ingredients like pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or fresh rosemary. These give a subtle, warm undertone and make your home smell like autumn instantly.

Popular Simmer Pot Recipes for Fall

You can create lots of simmer pot recipes using the ingredients above. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredient	Amount
Water	4 cups
Cinnamon sticks	2-3 sticks
Orange peel	From 1 orange
Apple slices	1 medium apple
Whole cloves	5-6 cloves
Star anise	2 pieces

Heat the water with all ingredients on low for hours. Refill water as needed.

Another combo includes cranberries, cardamom pods, vanilla extract (about 1 tsp), and bay leaves. This adds a fresh, rich smell.

If you like, you can use a slow cooker to keep the pot on low and let the smell last all day without much attention. Simply add ingredients and set to warm.

Tips for Using Stovetop and Slow Cooker Simmer Pots

If you’re using a stovetop, keep the heat low so the water doesn’t evaporate too fast. Check every hour and add more water if needed to avoid burning ingredients.

Slow cookers are great because they keep the water warm all day. Just set it to low or warm and refill water every few hours. You can leave a simmer pot on the slow cooker while you’re home or asleep.

To avoid stains or sticky pots after simmering, use a stainless steel or enamel pot. Don’t cover it completely—leave a little opening for scents to escape.

If you want a stronger smell, crush spices like cloves or cardamom pods before adding them. You can also toss in a splash of apple cider or vanilla extract to boost the fragrance.

Remember, simmer pots are easy to customize. Try mixing your favorite fall ingredients from websites like simplybeyondherbs.com for new ideas that suit your style.

Other Cozy DIY Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Fall

You can bring fall scents into your home in many cozy ways beyond simmer pots. Using essential oils, room sprays, pinecones, and wax melts lets you pick the perfect fall vibe. These ideas are easy to do and fill your space with seasonal warmth.

Essential Oil Blends and Diffusers

Essential oils are a natural and simple way to add fall scents to your home. You can mix oils like cinnamon, clove, orange, and cedarwood for that warm, spicy smell. Add these blends to a diffuser and let the scent spread evenly throughout your rooms.

Try this blend:

• 3 drops cinnamon
• 2 drops clove
• 2 drops orange
• 1 drop cedarwood

Diffusers use water and heat to release oils gently, making them safe to run all day. You can also combine essential oils with cotton balls or use them in homemade reed diffusers. They’re a great way to keep your home smelling fresh without chemicals.

Pumpkin Spice Room Sprays and Air Fresheners

Making your own room spray is quick and lets you control the scent strength. Mix water, witch hazel (or vodka), and your favorite pumpkin spice essential oils in a spray bottle. Shake before each use and spritz around your living space.

Here’s a simple recipe:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 2 tablespoons witch hazel
• 10 drops pumpkin, cinnamon, and clove oils combined

These sprays freshen up rooms, carpets, or upholstery and are much safer than store-bought options. You can also add a bit of vanilla extract for extra warmth. They dry fast and leave a gentle fall fragrance behind.

Cinnamon-Scented Pinecones and Potpourri

Pinecones make great natural air fresheners, especially when scented with cinnamon and clove oils. Simply dab a few drops of oil on dried pinecones and place them in bowls or baskets around your home. They add a rustic, cozy look too.

To make potpourri, gather dried apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and pinecones. Toss everything together with a few drops of essential oils. Put the mixture in a decorative bowl or jar for a simple, natural scent boost.

You can refresh the scent by stirring and adding more oil when needed. These items work well on shelves, coffee tables, or near doorways.

Fall Wax Melts, Sachets, and Linen Sprays

Wax melts are a flameless way to smell fall indoors. You can buy or make your own by mixing soy wax with essential oils like nutmeg, vanilla, or pumpkin spice. Warm the melts in a wax warmer and enjoy the scent as it slowly releases.

Sachets stuffed with dried herbs or scented cotton balls are perfect for closets, drawers, or cars. Add fall oils to the sachets for a subtle aroma that lasts weeks.

Linen sprays are another easy option. Mix water, a small amount of rubbing alcohol, and your favorite oils in a spray bottle. Mist your bedding or curtains for a light, fresh fall smell that lifts the whole room.