Carved Pumpkin Air Freshener

We are so over commercial air fresheners and their blanket of perfumy toxins, and we’re having some serious doubts about mass-made scented candles too. But now the house smells like dogs. This autumn we are going for the old stand-bys like simmering potpourri, but also came across a sweet idea that uses hollowed-out pumpkins to create aromatic pumpkin candles. They are seasonal, safe and delicious smelling, with the added bonus of being wonderfully decorative. Learn how to make them here.

Although we’re pretty sure Martha Stewart’s house does absolutely not smell like dogs, she does provide a pretty cute pumpkin pie potpourri idea on her web site. We have expanded on that idea and are happy to have another natural and non-toxic alternative to commercial air fresheners. So, thank you to the craft mavens over at MS.

It’s a pretty simple project—if you’ve carved a pumpkin before, you have all the expertise you need:

1. Cut off the top of a medium pumpkin, clean the interior and top. (See How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds for a healthy snack)

2. Cut holes in the sides to vent. Use an apple corer. You can place the holes randomly for a mod look, or symmetrically for a more classic design. Alternatively, you could carve a jack-o-lantern.

3. Rub your favorite seasonal spices on the inside of the pumpkin top. Try cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice. You can press some cloves or star anise in the top as well, or rub on some fresh vanilla bean. (Don’t use vanilla extract—the candle flame may ignite the alcohol.)

4. Place a beeswax tea light candle in the bottom of the pumpkin.
Light and let burn. (And never leave a burning candle unattended!)

For another great pumpkin idea try our Floating Pumpkin Candles

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For great all-natural autumn air scents, read Sweet Autumn Air Fresheners.

By Melissa Breyer, Producer, Care2 Green Living

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Cathy N.

11:26PM PDT on Nov 2, 2011

~Excellent ideas~, just in time for the holidays!~

send a green star

Michele W.

9:11AM PDT on Oct 30, 2011

Thank you

Cindy M.

8:03PM PDT on Oct 19, 2011

I believe royal jelly's just eaten by the queen or the drones, but the regular bees eat honey. Either way, since I've made the original comment I've not only heard that from a documentary on colony collapse disorder, but that it's nearly impossible to retrieve the wax without killing bees. I may be wrong on that, or maybe there are tricks or extra cares to be done that some good folks do to acquire it, but I myself am leery and also hesitant about supporting it.

Tim C.

12:45PM PDT on Oct 19, 2011

tks

Murat K.

5:45AM PDT on Jun 10, 2011

After reading this information, even though konteyner we have already dealt with
getting rid of most the plastic in our lives. Yet, I just thought about
something else. The fact that we have children giving birth to children.
These kabin cemicials mess with a young girls hormone and they become
physically a adult with hormones racing out of control and what does it
do to prefabrik villa our young boys.

Kelly L.

1:01PM PDT on Oct 26, 2010

Okay, this sounds awesome! But yeah, no beeswax unless it's cruelty-free. Smiles!

Teresa W.

2:56AM PDT on Oct 18, 2010

Interesting!

Manuela C.

10:48AM PDT on Oct 17, 2010

Love it! Bookmarked.

4:46AM PDT on Oct 17, 2010

lovely+++

Marion S.

4:23AM PST on Jan 22, 2010

What a lovely idea, I am currently cooking butternut squash and carrot soup and am looking for ideas for the gourd skin, so far I've only thought of a bird feeder but this is a fab idea for the next one. Thanks