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Lovely fragrance in my house
Having a welcoming lovely fragrance in your unit or hotel may help people to relax.
Careful with what you buy though. Some people (including me) are quite sensitive and allergic to some brands that contain cheap and nasty chemicals.
Also, beware with cats and dogs - and other creatures that people have in their houses. They can become really sick of these products.
Go natural is great but sparingly.
I tend to now use essential oils and put a few drops in the cleaning pray which is also natural, since defusers give me runny eyes....
And a little bit of lavender/lemon in the bedroom.
What is your experience?
Hi Aaltje yes fragrances can have all sort of remarks and allergy effects - I tried quite a few things and seems like natural out of the garden is the best way to go. gosh there are so many allergies that even flowers from the garden does not always do the trick
I have tried the vanilla essential oils - a hilarious story was that one lady entered and said what stinky vanilla smell is that - its too sweet for me I will only stay tonight and find a venue that smells like acorns or oak trees he he he he and she did ( as I helped her finding a perfect farmhouse stay for her - round and round it goes....
So I have changed to crushed lemon leaves, rosemary flowers and leaves, nartjies with cloves in it, sometimes i open my curry spices esp the star anise its smells lovely ( remember my place is small thus the fragrance lingers a bit ) i also have the essential lavender oil plant then i crush the leaves and put that in the rooms - a heavenly smell - I have a small garden and take the guest to the plant and let them rub the leaves between their hands to experience the scent. It also lifts their heavy hearts and moods. Also the trick of the cinnamon on a hot kitchen plate or whilst you are baking in the kitchen on the element Have you tried it/ will think of more ways we do these things.
Hi Benita,
Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa stinky vanilla, indeed hilarious, and you helped her find somewhere else to sleep, you are a very humble lady to find her other accommodation for the next day. What a servant you are :)
Keep up the good work Benita. You are a great inspiration to us all.
Greetings from the deep southern hemisphere.
Aaltje B.
Hello! For me, that's one of the most important things to explore. Like you, I am very sensitive to smells and also highly allergic. To have a distinct natural aroma in your home or rental is one of the little things that make me want to go back to that place over and over again.
Here we have a beautiful Ylang-Ylang tree in our main balcony, lucky for us the top of the tree brushes with the railing perfuming the entire main terrace and main area of the house.
For the rest of the house, we use organic Cedar. It helps with bugs and it is great especially when you have pets (it is safe to use it around your little furry friends).
Here is a pic. for you! :)
Hugs from Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic!
Ana
Thank you so much Ana!
To be honest, I had never heard of Jarabacoa before, and sat behind the pc to read up a little about it. The coldest place of your country, it feels like spring. But that's a good thing, since you will always feel like jumping around instead of hot sunshine all day long.
You bedrooms look very inviting and it looks like you've got everything under control. An experienced host?
And your ideas about aromas are great too. Isn't Ylang-Ylang for lovers?
hehe, at least it will put people in the right mood. Making up for fights along the road, about doing his thing, or her thing, hahhaaaaaaaaa.
Thank you for sharing, and the photo! Very nice :)
Have a nice day and
Greetings,
Aaltje B.
Aaltje, I was living north of Toronto for 17 years so now I am all for the easy breezy = spring weather all year round, especially now that I am already 48. haha!! We are 2 hrs from the city of Santo Domingo (south coast) and 2 hrs from Puerto Plata and Cabarete (north coast)... right in the middle.
Thank you for looking us up and for the compliment on the bedrooms, I just love to decorate and make others feel good and comfortable. My dream was to one day have a bed & breakfast, and here we are!!
You are right, Ylang-ylang is aphrodisiac, but not only that, it is antidepressant, nerve calming, lowers high blood pressure, sedative and other great benefits like helping with insomnia and fatigue. What an amazing plant, and the aroma, oh my!
Goodnight,
Ana ;)
mmmmmmm, there is lots to learn still I noticed :)
you got me into it Ana :)))
And loving it!
Many thank yous!
Greetings
Aaltje B.
thanking you Ana - the pic assists greatly as well as the explanation - Ylang-Ylang i have only read about it in a local cosmetic product Sh"Zhen that is manufactured in SA for romantic body lotions - now since you posted it has become real. I will be on a lookout for plants like that and get them to grow in my garden for sure - Does lavender also irritate your allergies and lemon leaves?
Aaltje i bet this aromatic question is gonna lead to a master class in fragrances. God bless
Ana I had the privilege of visiting the Dominican republic a few years ago with the ICC cricket world cup - my husband back then was the Vice President of Cricket South Africa - wow what a fantastic experience - the friendliest hosting ever , streets fields wherever we went - very hospitable.
"You are right, Ylang-ylang is aphrodisiac, but not only that, it is antidepressant, nerve calming, lowers high blood pressure, sedative and other great benefits like helping with insomnia and fatigue. What an amazing plant, and the aroma, oh my! " am so showing my husband this because in the lotion the smell is not that attractive and he always moans. good learning experience
Hello Benita,
Thank you!! I am glad you had a chance to visit. it is a great place, we have a little bit of everything here.
I understand why your husband will probably dislike the smell, sometimes it is very strong on products. For the ylang-Ylang lotion, try getting organic extract and making your own. Buy a base lotion, no odor and add the oil to your taste. Even making the spray for your home will help you greatly.
I love the citrus and lavender (French Lavender is my favorite), won't trigger my allergies if they are soft/diluted.
Right now I am actually looking to order some fragrances online to make our own soaps and linen spray. I like the pear and orange combination as I tried it once in a Boutique hotel in Montreal.
I am in the search for something special! wish me luck :)
After watching a programme about the behind the scenes look at the world's top hotels I picked up a great tip which I use....
Using an essential oil (I use lavender) and spotting it on say a small damp cloth or fragrance free face wipe I then wipe along the inside of the top drawers, behind the headboards, under the shelves in the en-suites and along the inside of the door frames so when the guests enter the room there is a lovely scent and equally when they open the drawers it wafts up...I've had many a guest comment on how lovely the rooms smell....
Aaltje, what an incredible post. Thank you so much. These kind of tips make our homes very exceptional.
Fragrance is an accessory. It adds depth and character to our homes.
Thank you all for all the tips shared....
Benita, do you just use cinnamon in bowling water???
Good tips for using the essential oil Sonstbbs I have never thought of using it in that way. I use lemon grass essential oil and bought untreated wood small balls or hearts put a ribbon or string on it and hang it in my cupboards or in line with fresh air - windows or movement at the back of the door thus any movement create the smell to lift into the room, however I have learnt that it can trigger headaches for some - eish dear (teaching you a South African isi Xhosa word - that we all use to just describe many things he he he he ) dear so much to remember and implement just to give our guests a wonderful experience - and yet some never notice others complain and a handful really appreciate . ok depends on the mood....... thanks for starting this Aaltje
M (what does the M stands for deary) Adamopoulou I do not use the cinnamon in boiling water - i sprinkle it as I bake eggs or anything onto the heated spiral or into the oven after I have taken out the muffins or bread - just lightly it leaves a lovely welcoming to come eat aroma and feeling.
try it and let me know. greetings from a slightly overcast Pniel, South Africa
Ana I have just started reading up on the Ylang -Ylang tree and a few e-mails were sent out to the larger nurseries in Cape Town area - Ylang-Ylang hunting....
My pleasure, Benita :)
M stands for Maria....Adamopoulou is my surname...
Benita I will certainly use cinnamon. I have cinnamon every day in my breakfast. I prepare a healthy drink every morning with lemon, honey and cinnamon and drink it before eating anything else. In a boiler I put cinnamons, cloves and lemon or orange peels. After boiling I put it in a dispenser bottle and I sprinkle the whole house with it. It leaves a natural feeling...
Thank you all for incredible tips.
Thanks for all the tips - In SA we get a lot of pesky mosquitoes. Using essential oil like peppermint or eucalyptus in cleaning water or dispensing jar works well to bring in a lovely smell and keep pests away!
Pat thanks for tip for mosquitoes. I have all kind of herbs and plants in my garden that keep away mosquitoes but sometimes they are so many nothing stop them in visiting us.
Thanks for posting...
thanks Maria ... Yes I also did that boiling of the citrus once only it is divine indeed - strange how we all over the world are trying the same things to give our guests lovely fragrances.
I will follow the advise of spraying it all over - havent done that just kept it in boiler and reheated to fill the air. If not too personal a question, what are your measurements for the health drink dear. would love to try - have been diagnosed with severe osteo-arthritis and followed a healthy food change eating plan of Danette May and lost substantial weight and centimeters these past 30 days. I drink pinch of cayenne pepper, lemon squeezed , unfiltered apple cider vinegar in luke warm water daily but have heard of cinnamon to assist with arthritis. he he he now we sharing health advise too - thanks Maria...
what a wonderful advice Pat for the mosquitoes, yes we also experience them, luckily not malaria ones, but will do the eucalyptus oil and keep you posted as these machines one use does not always have the desired effect as it keeps the pests away but not healthy for humans.
Benita wish you your osteo arthritis does not get worse. Healthy food helps. In a cup of warm water I squeeze a half of bio lemon, 1 tea spoon of bio honey and cinnamon or cayenne pepper. I prefer cinnamon. I drink it before eating breakfast.
I have been drinking it for the last 4 years.
Wish you well my dear....
Some of these tips are just great... Love the tip to use lavender inside draws as think thus will also add to the old house charm of our place. Thanks sonstbbs will definitely give this a try. I also love just mixing a little staysoft with water and spraying it on skirting boards to add a baby soft smell in the room.
Benita I just peeped who you are and I just want to send you a huge hug and tell you that you are ❤ and in prayer
Maria please share what herbs and plants you have for mosquitoes - we are going into what I think will be a cold winter and at times get snow here so it would be great to know what I can plant in time for summer.
thanks Pat i do appreciate and God bless . Praying for friends is a big appreciation. Aaltje this topic of yours is really getting to me in a positive way - I just told my neighbour whom is a avid gardener to share some of his marigolds with me ( he he he yes in our village and neighbourhood we can still do that and the neighbour will do the plantsharing with you - I love my culture and village) - he is also quite excited as didnt know that marigolds are listed under plants that assists to keep mosquitoes at bay - we must all try and test this.
Hi Benita
I had no idea it would take off like this, but love it. I love using natural products. I also have shampoo and conditioner in the unit. But they all come in plastic bottles. So now I use goats soap. That sounds like "stinky" soap ? nope, it is lovely and foamy and smells fresh. (made of goats-milk). It does leave the hair really soft and no itchy scalp, so even sensitive people can use it. It comes in a block. Then I cut it up in smaller pieces since it easily melts away.
I do use the same drink as you do in the mornings :) For a few years now. it's good stuff. Should share about it privately. Not sure how though...
Have a good day,
Blessings
Aaltje B.
Aaltje that sounds amazing about the goat soap. What do you do with the pieces... Do you wrap them or melt them and how do you show guests that they can be used for hair etc please?
Benita I'm going to try marigolds but that is one flower I don't recall seeing around us but maybe I was too busy watching the mountains!
paper will get wet, so have a small piece ready to use in shower.( just cut up with a sharp knife) You know these small wooden toothpicks? Attach small sticker with shampoo / conditioner written on it. Guests will leave it on small saucer that is in shower.
I will take a picture tomorrow. :)
have a look online simplenakedsoap and you will find all the info there.
I use the shampoo with egg yolk in it. Very good products. :)
Tips...tips...tips...how many ways are we discovering to eco fresh our homes...
Marigolds are fantastic with incredible orange and yellow colors. They dont cost anything and they pop up every summer in my garden sending mosquitoes away.
Geraniums, rosemarys, peppermints, lavenders, basils, catnips, gingers are mostly what I have in my garden. I like them mostly because they need little care and not some much watering.
Aaltje B. I love your idea of making soap from goat milk, a terrific idea.
So many great ideas....
Thank you all for your kind contribution to nature....
I have been told that my room smells like flowers, that is because of the fabric softener that we use on all the bedding and towels, just beautiful smelling!!!!
My friend sprinkles her sofas, curtains, cushions, rugs etc.etc. with fabric softener. Its a cheap way to freshen up the whole house...
Oh dear, I would run away screaming, since allergic for it...
My daughter is allergic to flowers!!!! It’s the worst present anyone can give her. Since I like having lavender in my drawers whenever she opens thems she holds her nose!!! I guess we have to be a bit careful with fragrances and don’t over do it even if they are eco friendly...
Cheers!!!
Hi Maria.
Poor daughter, imagine, spring is coming and she sneezes all day.
We have not many flowers growing in NZ, it is not the same as Holland. But pollen they have! Many varieties of trees and shrubs do spread pollen in spring especially the native trees and shrubs. Many people and children are allergic for pollen in New Zealand.
That's why they all walk around with masks,....nah, just kidding
Yiap, sneeze, sneeze and crying all the time...April mostly is the worst Month for allergies. Pollen is everywhere...our verandas are full of it....
Take care...
Ms/Mr. Ana,
I love your photo. It's really nice. What is the name of that plant? Is it only in your country?
Cheers from SriLanka