Lemon And Bay Leaves Have A Hidden Benefit For Your Home

Coming back to a fresh-smelling home after a long day is one of the greatest comforts in the world. While certain products like candles and air fresheners seem like the obvious way to achieve this, they can actually have negative impacts on your health. So if you're looking for a natural and easy way to make your home smell good, look no further than the produce aisle. By simply leaving out a plate of sliced lemon and bay leaves, you can create your own air freshener that will leave your home smelling crisp and clean for days.

This is one of those uses for citrus around the house that you'll wish you'd known sooner. In addition to being a natural way to make your home smell divine, lemons and bay leaves are a relatively inexpensive option. This is especially true when compared to candles, which can cost anywhere from roughly $15 to $100 or more, depending on the quality of the ingredients and where you shop.

To reap the benefits of lemon and bay leaves in your home, simply slice up one whole lemon and alternate placing one slice of lemon and one bay leaf together on a plate. Alternatively, you can cut your lemon in half and stick the bay leaves into the flesh of the fruit. 

This trick works because lemons have natural deodorizing properties and leave behind a fresh citrus smell. Bay leaves also produce a strong aroma that can help neutralize bad smells. In addition to making your home smell clean, this scent combination may also help repel mosquitoes, so it might be worthwhile to leave a plate outside on your patio table as well. One thing to look out for is the acid content in lemons. If placed directly on your furniture, lemons could cause staining, so always be sure to use a plate or bowl to avoid this.

If you've ever tried a simmer pot recipe to give your house a refresh, the concept is pretty similar. One huge advantage to leaving lemon and bay leaves on a plate in your home is that you don't have to stay home to monitor a pot on the stove. If you find one lemon isn't strong enough, you can continue to add more until the aroma floats through your entire home. You can also switch up the scent by adding other fresh ingredients, such as cloves, cinnamon sticks, or mint, and other acidic fruits like grapefruit or limes. After a few days, simply switch out the old ingredients for fresh ones to keep the good smells going.