15 Natural Ways to Make Your House Smell Like Fall
Transform your home into a cozy autumn retreat with these natural ways to make your house smell like fall!
Have you ever walked into someone’s house in October and it just smelled like autumn?
Like, immediately, before you’ve even taken your shoes off, and you just couldn’t help but think about how inviting that felt.
I used to think that smell came from an expensive (and toxic) candle or air freshener.
Turns out most of it is stuff I already have in my kitchen, plus a few affordable non-toxic buys.
In this article, I’m revealing 15 natural ways to make your house smell like fall.
I’m covering options across every effort level, from zero maintenance to full commitment, so choose according to your mood and lifestyle.
And honestly, make sure to bookmark this; some of the recipes I share here I basically make on repeat every single year, starting in September!
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The best fall simmer pot recipes
A simmer pot, which is sometimes also called stovetop potpourri, is one of the easiest natural ways to make your house smell like fall using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Simply fill a pot with water and add aromatic ingredients such as spices, herbs, or fragrant fruits.
Let them simmer on the stove on low heat, and it will scent your whole house with a lovely smell.
I’m sharing my five favorite cozy combinations you should definitely try this fall!
1. Cinnamon, orange and clove simmer pot
Let’s start with a classic simmer pot recipe that will fill your home with a universally recognizable fall scent.
If you’re new to simmer pots, I highly recommend you try this one first!
Take your pot and add:
- 1 sliced orange
- 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- 4-6 cups of water
Cover everything with water and turn on the stove.
Make sure to only use whole spices here, not ground ones, because those might cloud the water and clog your pot, which isn’t what we want.
Also, never leave your simmer pot unattended and keep it on low heat so it doesn’t boil dry.
2. Apple pie simmer pot (made with apple scraps)
Apple pies bring with them some of the most popular fall scents, but you don’t need to bake an entire pie to add this lovely scent to your space (although we all love a good ol’ apple pie, don’t we?!).
I love making this one zero-waste style by using apple scraps instead of buying apples just for this.
That way, we avoid unnecessary food waste and make things super cheap!
To make this fall potpourri, use:
- Apple peels and cores that you kept from apples you already ate
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Small splash of vanilla extract
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 4-6 cups of water
This simmer pot will make your house smell like an actual bakery, filled with delicious apple pies and treats.
3. Pumpkin spice simmer pot
We can’t mention fall simmer pot recipes without having one with pumpkin spice, can we?
This one is the closest DIY dupe to a pumpkin spice candle without actually buying a candle.
So save your money and try this instead!
For this autumn stovetop potpourri, you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of real pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 thin slices of fresh ginger (avoid ground ginger)
- 3 strips of orange peel
- 4-6 cups of water
The puree can make this simmer pot thick and murky, so remember to stir every 20 to 30 minutes so it doesn’t stick or scorch at the bottom of the pot.
4. Woodsy simmer pot with rosemary and cedar
If you’re not a fan of cinnamon and find the fall simmer pot recipes above too sweet or food-like, you’ll love this option!
It will fill your space with a lovely smell that will remind you of a cabin in the woods.
Add to your pot:
- 1 small sprig of fresh rosemary (about 5 inches)
- 1 small piece of cedar or pine branch (about 4 inches)
- 2 strips of orange peel
- 4-6 cups of water
I recommend using a small sprig from a tree you can confidently identify, like cedar or pine, and only collecting it where you’re allowed to do so.
But if you can’t find any, feel free to leave it out of the recipe; the simmer pot will have a more herbal, fresh, and slightly woodsy scent.
5. Minimalist cinnamon stick simmer pot
If you’re on the lookout for a lazy option, I have you covered!
This one is perfect if you want something super easy or if you don’t have the other ingredients on hand.
This minimalist simmer pot only requires:
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 4-6 cups of water
As you might expect, this stovetop potpourri will give a fairly strong cinnamon scent.
But it proves you don’t need a ton of ingredients to make your house smell like fall naturally.
You just need two ingredients, nothing else!
Non-toxic fall candles for a natural autumn home scent
Fall simmer pots are easy to make but still require some commitment, as you need to watch the stove and potentially refill water.
If you want a zero-maintenance option, consider picking a candle instead!
6. Reach for a non-toxic fall candle
One of the best natural ways to make your house smell like fall this season is to simply light a non-toxic fall candle.
Most candles on the market aren’t good for our health for different reasons.
Many are made with paraffin wax, which can release potentially harmful chemicals when burned, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Exposure to some VOCs can cause symptoms such as headaches and respiratory irritation.
Some candle emissions can also release formaldehyde and benzene, which are both known carcinogens.
Conventional fall-scented candles are also usually made with synthetic fragrances.
Some fragrance formulations may contain phthalates, a group of chemicals that can interfere with the endocrine system, along with other substances you may prefer to avoid in your home.
But all of this doesn’t mean you should stop using all fall-scented candles!
Some are genuinely made with natural materials and do not contain harmful ingredients.
What should you look for in a non-toxic fall candle?
In general, you want to stay away from paraffin wax candles and instead choose ones made with:
- Beeswax
- Coconut wax
- Soy wax
Be careful with blends; some manufacturers market their candles as a soy wax blend, but when you look at the ingredient list, these are often made with both soy and paraffin wax.
Some blends can be safe, though; for instance, a blend of the three types of wax above.
You also want to buy a candle that doesn’t contain any synthetic fragrances and is instead scented with essential oils.
Also, check that the wick is made of lead-free cotton or wood, and prefer reputable manufacturers as opposed to unfamiliar, imported brands.
I wrote an entire article about the best non-toxic fall candles, so definitely check it out to learn more and find all my go-to brands!
But if you’re searching for quick recommendations, here are my favorite brands:
These are all made without paraffin and feature lovely autumn scents made with essential oils.
Most of these have the typical cozy fall scents you’re probably looking for, like pumpkin spice, vanilla, and warm spices.
Long-lasting, natural ways to make your house smell like fall
If you don’t want something that requires heat or fire and prefer an easy option you can set once and forget about for weeks, this section is for you.
7. Dried cinnamon and orange bundles
You can create dried cinnamon and orange bundles, and place them where you’d like to have their beautiful scent.
This is a great long-lasting method that also doubles as decor!
For this, you’ll need to:
- Slice 1 orange into thin slices (around ⅛ to ¼ inch)
- Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Dry them in the oven: place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and dry at about 200°F for roughly 2 to 4 hours, turning occasionally, until they’re completely dry.
Then, take one or several orange slices, depending on how many you’d like to use, and tie them together with two cinnamon sticks using twine.
You can place them wherever you want to add a fall scent in your home.
For instance, hang one on a doorknob, slip one into your closet, place a few in a decorative bowl on the dining table, or put one in your entryway so everyone can smell it as soon as they enter your home.
The scent will be fairly subtle, not overpowering, and will gradually fade over time.
But overall, you should be able to use the bundles for a few weeks.
8. Cozy fall drawer sachets for closets and dressers
Another great option to add a nice fall scent to closets is to create small drawer sachets filled with classic autumn spices and fruits.
You can use small fabric pouches like muslin bags and fill them with dried apple rings, whole cloves, and cinnamon pieces.
You will then be able to put them in your closet, dresser drawer, and linen closet to give your clothes and home textiles a subtle ambient scent.
And if you feel like the scent has faded or you want to change things up, you can later reuse the muslin bags and add another spice mix.
9. Cedar blocks and scented pinecones
If you love woodsy scents but don’t want to commit to the woodsy simmer pot I suggested above, consider placing plain cedar blocks in small enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces around your home.
For instance, putting a few in closets and drawers, or in your entryway, bathroom, and nightstand, can be a great way to add a nice woodsy smell naturally.
Plus, they’ll help deter moths!
Another option is to collect a few pinecones from outside and add a few drops of essential oils to them.
For a fall scent, I really love a cedarwood and sweet orange blend, but you can really customize to your preferences.
Fir needle, spruce, and cinnamon leaf essential oils are great too!
Then, let the pinecones sit for a day or two, and place them in a bowl on your dining table, coffee table, entryway, or bathroom.
10. Bring real fall elements indoors
One of the most natural ways to make your house smell like fall is to simply bring real fall elements from outside into your home.
It could be anything from firewood stacked by the fireplace to a pine branch displayed in a vase or a few eucalyptus stems for a fresh, woodsy scent.
I also love that foraging for natural elements is the perfect opportunity to spend some time outside with your loved ones, and it’s completely free!
Natural fall sprays and diffuser blends
If you want to be able to add a fall scent on-demand like with a candle but don’t want something burning at all times, using a fall spray or diffusing essential oils can be a great option for you.
Instead of buying those, you can easily create your own natural air fresheners to save money and be more in control of the strength.
Here are a few ideas you might want to try!
11. DIY fall room spray recipe
Create a homemade fall room spray using this exact recipe:
- 2 tbsp witch hazel or vodka: this can help disperse the essential oils, but the mixture might still separate, so shake the bottle before each use
- 1 cup distilled water
- 15-20 drops essential oil
Here again, you can use the essential oil blend you prefer, but if you need recommendations, my two favorites are either a vanilla (10 drops) and cedarwood (8 drops) blend, or a cinnamon (6 drops), orange (8 drops), and clove (4 drops) combo.
Pour everything into a glass spray bottle and avoid plastic because it tends to break down more easily over time as it’s in contact with essential oils.
Once the spray is ready, you’ll be able to spritz it onto all kinds of fabrics around your home, such as your couch, bedding, rugs, or curtains.
Just avoid spraying directly on wood furniture, as it can stain, or on your skin.
Please also be careful if you have pets: some essential oils like clove, cedarwood, and cinnamon can be risky for pets, including cats and birds, so you want to avoid those if you have furry (or feathered) friends at home!
12. Cozy fall essential oil diffuser blends
If you prefer the convenience of an essential oil diffuser, you can create your own blend to diffuse around your home for a cozy autumn scent.
This is the exact recipe I use, but feel free to adapt it to your preferences:
- 3 drops cinnamon bark
- 3 drops sweet orange
- 2 drops clove bud
If you’re not a fan of cinnamon-heavy scents, consider trying this one:
- 2 drops cedarwood
- 2 drops sweet orange
- 1 drop vanilla
Of course, don’t forget to add water to your diffuser up to the fill line.
Also, be careful with the types of essential oils you’re choosing and their possible impact on pets if you have any.
13. The cotton ball air vent trick
Now, the tip I love that nobody talks about!
Pour a few drops of essential oil (for a fall scent, pick among the ones I suggested above) on a cotton ball, and tuck it near a return air vent.
The air circulation can help carry the smell into other rooms without needing a diffuser or other equipment.
This one is so easy!
Fall baking ideas that make your kitchen smell amazing
For all the bakers out there, this section is for you!
If you love baking delicious treats for your family, you might as well do it when you want to fill your home with a cozy fall scent.
You’ll be able to savor your baked goods AND smell a lovely scent all at the same time.
And who doesn’t love dessert, right? 😉
14. Zero-waste cinnamon apple scrap bake
If you’re baking an apple pie or just something with apples, don’t throw away the peels and cores.
Spread them in a baking dish and add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (if you have scraps from 2-3 apples).
Put the dish in the oven on low heat (250°F) for about an hour, ideally while the oven’s already on for something else so it’s not a wasted extra step.
This will give your home a nice scent boost all while reducing waste in the kitchen.
It’s perfect to do, for instance, right before guests arrive.
15. Bake something that doubles as a fall air freshener
Sometimes, the best natural way to make your house smell like fall is to simply bake something you’d want to eat anyway.
There are so many good recipes out there!
You could bake pumpkin bread, apple crisp, snickerdoodles, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin muffins, or even just baked apples.
Other recipes with strong aromatic ingredients such as vanilla, ginger, clove, orange zest, or nutmeg can also fill your kitchen with warm, cozy aromas.
And at the end, you’ll get dessert, so it’s a win-win!
Frequently Asked Questions
Simmer pots, non-toxic candles, room sprays, baking, cedar blocks, and dried botanicals are all excellent ways to add a fall scent to your home using natural ingredients.
Both the DIYs and ready-made options are effective, so choose based on how much effort you want to put in and how strong a scent you prefer.
Warm spices such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom are classic fall scents you may want to add to your home. But let’s also not forget apple, orange, pumpkin, vanilla, and woodsy notes like cedar, fir, and pine.
You can use these alone or combine them to create that cozy autumn atmosphere.
A fall simmer pot can scent your home for a few hours as long as you keep adding water as needed.
You can usually reuse the ingredients two or three times, but the scent will become weaker each time. Just make sure to cool and refrigerate the ingredients promptly after simmering.
You can mix citrus, spices, and herbs and let everything simmer together.
For instance, some of the best simmer pot recipes combine orange, cinnamon, and cloves, or apple, cinnamon, and vanilla. A mix of rosemary, orange, and cedar is another great option.
You can also use fruit peels and scraps whenever possible to reduce waste and save money.
Final thoughts on natural ways to make your house smell like fall
I hope you’ve found this article about how to make your home smell like fall helpful and that you got inspired by some of these ideas.
Whether you’ve decided to go for a fall simmer pot, a candle, an ambient spray, or an autumnal baking recipe, I’m pretty sure it’ll transform your space into a cozy and inviting place to relax and enjoy the season.
If you’re looking for more home ambiance products, check out the following articles:
- 7 best natural, non-toxic Christmas candles for a safe and cozy holiday
- 12 best non-toxic candles on Amazon to make our homes cozy
- 7 best non-toxic candles to create a cozy atmosphere at home
Which of these ideas on how to make your house smell like fall have you decided to try?
Please leave a comment below!
Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can add a lovely autumn scent to their space without the toxic chemicals, too.
Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!
It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!
