10 Easy Simmer Pot Recipes For A (Naturally) Delicious-Smelling Home
Evoking the scent of fresh woodsy cedar or the warm hug of vanilla and cinnamon is as easy as throwing some natural ingredients into a pot of water and bringing it up to a gentle simmer. Not to mention, it makes your house smell divine — naturally. Leave it on a low boil on the stove-top for as long as you like, remembering to add water as needed. Here are some delicious recipes to get you started:
Simmer pots: the key to a delightful smelling home — naturally
Floral scent
A couple of stems of freesia, a handful of lavender sprigs and one fig create a light, floral scent, grounded by the earthy and fruity scent of the figs.
Citrus scent
Inject a burst of light, uplifting notes of clementine, lemon, lime, grapefruit and kumquat into your home on dreary winter days. Tip: slice the fruit into pieces before you put it in the pot, and adjust the ratio depending on what you’d like to smell more (or less) of.
Spiced scent
Throw in 3 sticks of cinnamon, a handful of star anise, two vanilla beans, a handful of cloves, peppercorn and cardamom into a pot for a home that smells warm and inviting — like the holiday season in a pot.
Woodsy scent
A few sprigs of cedar, spruce and eucalyptus will make your home smell like a Canadian forest.
Warm floral scent
Not only does this simmer pot look beautiful boiling on the stove, it smells amazing. Combine one fig and half a pomegranate with a small bunch of lavender and dried flower petals of your choice.
Fresh scent
A few limes (cut into slices), eucalyptus sprigs and fresh mint leaves will create a fresh, warm aroma in your space.
Warm outdoors scent
Bring the fresh scents of the outdoors in. All you need is a small bunch of cedar, a whole pear (cut into slices) and mesquite wood chips, which you can buy in small bags at most outdoor stores.
Simmer pot
A small handful of cedar, bay leaves, rosemary and a few clementines create a winter-inspired scent.
Earthy scent
Combine a small handful of moss, sage, rosemary and a few chips of mesquite wood to create a warm, herbal aroma.
Spicy citrus
Freshen your home with the crisp scent of citrus — one whole clementine, slices of lemon and a few kumquats — but add warmth to the blend with hits of spicy ginger (sliced) and eucalyptus.
GET CHATELAINE IN YOUR INBOX!
Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.
Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.
Subscribe to Chatelaine!
Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.