How to choose home fragrance

The latest trend in home fragrance is sweet and fruity. Trudi Brewer chats with Melanie Homer on TV3's The Cafe to share her thoughts on scenting your living spaces.

From candles to diffusers, here's a roundup of some of the latest candles and diffusers to scent any living space in your home.

Candles

The Aromatherapy Co. Therapy Kitchen Range Lemongrass, Lime and Bergamot Chef's Natural Candle, from $13. Peppermint Grove Coconut, Grapefruit & Lime Large Candle, $40.  Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Home Candle, $115. Ecoya X Blush Madison Jar, Tuberose & Fig, $52.

Diffusers

Ecoya Reed Diffuser Mini, Sweet Pea & Jasmine, $30. Peppermint Grove Gardenia Diffuser, $40. Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Diffuser, $160. The Aromatherapy Co. Berry & Beech Leaf Diffuser, $27.

Home fragrance tips

What are the rules around getting the best out of your candle?
Trim your wick, every time you light the candle. The black soot on the inside of the glass indicates you haven’t trimmed your wick each time you light it, and that will make the candle burn unevenly, brighter and hotter, which makes the wax melt faster. 

How do make your candle last?
Soy wax retains a memory, so the first time you burn candle only do so for around 30 minutes this creates a small wax pool so that every subsequent burn will burn to the same size pool. Also don't burn the candle longer than three hours, which for most brands is the recommended burn time.
 
Can you fragrance combine candles and diffusers?
Yes of course, in fact, a brand like Jo Malone recommend fragrance combining with their cologne and home fragrance. Different rooms benefit from the different fragrance combinations. For the kitchen, choose lemongrass, sage, vanilla and mint, lime or coriander this helps to cleanse the cooking smells. For a bathroom opt for a sweet, woody combination such as jasmine and rose, oakmoss and amber. And you choose anything too pungent for the bedroom, something light like lavender or honeysuckle will help you sleep.

Do you need to turn the reeds on a diffuser?
No, however, for there are no rules. To get a fragrant burst before your guest arrives, gently shake the diffuser or turn the reeds to reignite the essential oils.