August 21, 2025
Simmer Pot Recipes to Keep Your House Smelling Good for the Season
A simmer pot, also called stovetop potpourri, creates pleasant aromas in your home by simmering a mixture of water and aromatic ingredients — like fruits, herbs, and spices. It is an eco-friendly way of keeping your house smelling good, and if you live in a dry climate, the steam from the pot humidifies the air.
Nothing beats coming home after a long day to a space that smells sweet and leaves you feeling more rested, focused, and relaxed. Many people use candles and aerosol sprays for air freshening, but other options don’t rely on artificial scents. If you’re looking for a simple, more natural way to make your home smell wonderful without artificial air fresheners, consider making a simmer pot.
What Is a Simmer Pot?
A simmer pot, also called stovetop potpourri, creates pleasant aromas in your home by simmering a mixture of water and aromatic ingredients — like fruits, herbs, and spices. It is an eco-friendly way of keeping your house smelling good, and if you live in a dry climate, the steam from the pot humidifies the air.
The best thing about simmer pots is that they are easy to make. All you need to do is:
- Combine the ingredients: Boil some water in a saucepan and add the ingredients from your favorite simmer pot recipe. You can also use a slow cooker instead of a saucepan and stove.
- Simmer: After a few minutes, turn down the heat and allow the mixture to simmer. Keep an eye on your pot and add water frequently to prevent your ingredients from burning.
What Are Some Good Simmer Pot Recipes for Fall and Winter?
Create unique fragrances that bring the essence of fall and winter into your home with the following simple simmer pot recipes. Feel free to use these recipes as they are or experiment with different ingredient combinations and ratios to create scents that make you feel more at home. For example, if you are into spicy scents, you can use more spices in your blend or add more fruits if you prefer sweeter or more citrusy scents.
Cinnamon Apple Simmer Pot
This recipe creates the ultimate fall fragrance with warm undertones and fresh fruit scents:
- 1 sliced apple
- 1 orange (complete with rind)
- 1-inch piece of ginger
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon of whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon of allspice
Simmer these ingredients in 10 cups of water for a sophisticated, layered scent.
Vanilla Simmer Pot
This vanilla-based recipe is for homeowners who enjoy rich gourmand fragrances that make their space smell like a bakery:
- 3 whole vanilla pods
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg
- Fresh apple slices for extra sweetness
Combine these ingredients with 2 cups of water for the best effects.
Pumpkin Spice Simmer Pot
Nothing is more synonymous with fall than pumpkin spice:
- 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks
- Vanilla extract (to your liking)
Simmer these ingredients in 3 cups of water to give your home that signature scent of a warm pumpkin spice latte.
Need Some Help Making Your Home Smell Good?
Maid Bright offers premier housekeeping for busy renters and homeowners in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Our cleaning services allow you to come home to a space filled with a refreshing and energizing scent. Book a one-time professional home cleaning or schedule a free in-home estimate for recurring services.
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