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Easy Smell Goods

Ever since high school, I’ve been in love with Glade PlugIns. Their original Hawaiian card-like inserts were pure heaven in chemical form.

They’ve since switched to oils that aren’t quite the same, and they don’t seem to last as long. Still, I buy them in bulk. Seasonal scents are great for the holidays, and I like the woodsy and ocean ones in the summer. Because smell is tied so closely to memory and nostalgia, catching a whiff can be oddly comforting. Too bad we can’t make custom scents. We’re stuck with their proprietary blends and formats, without even considering what’s in them or how much they cost. At over $4 a refill, the ROI for 30 days of smell goods is hard to justify.

As with most things, I like to see if I can RYO (roll your own) to save money and maybe make it better. There aren’t many options that are passive, inexpensive, and safe. I don’t want to leave a candle burning all day, and those humidifiers with scented mists are way more of an investment than they’re worth. I bought one for my wife at Christmas and it was a cheap piece of plastic garbage. It’s obvious these companies are making a fortune.

That leaves diffusers. If you know of any other great options I haven’t tried, let me know. For now, I’m really happy with how these diffusers turned out.

Essential Oils

The world of essential oils is fascinating. There’s a massive community hidden behind them. Just look at that chart! I never would have guessed there was so much going on here, let alone anything that required a whole chart.

Let’s do a quick high-level dive. Bookmark this so you can hold your own in a conversation with your significant other.

Botanical and Aromatic

Grouped by the part of the plant they come from (blossoms, peels, leaves, seeds, bark), or by their scent profile.

• Citrus (uplifting, energizing): orange, lemon, grapefruit
• Floral (calming, soothing): lavender, rose, geranium
• Herbaceous: basil, rosemary, peppermint
• Woody: cedarwood, sandalwood, pine
• Spicy: clove, cinnamon

Fragrance Notes

Blend your own or buy pre-made:

• Top notes (light, evaporate quickly): citrus, eucalyptus
• Middle notes (heart of the blend, balancing, harmonizing): lavender, rosemary
• Base notes (rich, heavy, long-lasting): patchouli, sandalwood

Grades

• Grade 1: Therapeutic
• Grade 2: Food grade
• Grade 3: Perfume / cosmetic
• Grade 4: Industrial
• Grade 5: Synthetic (not plant-based)

I’m still learning the nuances, but it really comes down to finding a mix of smells you like and letting it gently fill your room. Ideally, it lasts a while and needs little maintenance.

Getting Started

• A clean jar: example
• Fractionated coconut oil: example
• High-proof isopropyl alcohol: example
• A combination of oils (links to stores at the bottom)
• Sticks: example
• (Optional): 3D printed vase to make bottle look fancy shmancy

If you grabbed the jars above, fill them about 15-25% with your base oil. I usually add 40-50 drops of essential oils, then finish with about 10% alcohol. Don’t fill the jar completely. I never go above halfway. Cover the opening with your thumb, give it a shake, add 4-7 sticks, then smell your finger. Flip the sticks 180° every day or two.

There are other solid base oils on Amazon, but I’ve also heard olive oil works.

Right now, this room smells gingery with a touch of tea tree. It’s not overwhelming like a spa or hotel. It’s just there. In the bathroom, I’ve gone heavier, and it now smells like a poop in the woods.

Rocky Mountain Oils sells affordable 4 oz. bottles like lemongrass. Check retailmenot.com for coupons, but make sure you’re using an adblocker.

One last tip: orange smells amazing, but it doesn’t carry far. Since it’s a top note 😉, it’s best for complimenting other scents. If you only use top notes, you’ll be disappointed.

Sources

• Rocky Mountain Oils $$
• Plant Therapy $$
• Young Living $$$$
• doTERRA $$$$