Candles & Air Fresheners

Home fragrance comes in a few forms. Scented candles release fragrance as the wax melts, and many now blend essential oils into the wax for a softer, more natural scent. Air freshener sprays clear a smell in seconds, while plug-ins, reed diffusers and gel fresheners give off a steady scent over weeks.

Choose by room and by how long you want the scent to last. A candle suits the living room or a bathroom in the evening, while a spray works best straight after cooking, when the smell of fried onion and curry leaf lingers in curtains and soft furnishings. Light vanilla and cotton scents sit well in bedrooms; citrus and herbal notes cut through kitchen smells. For tea lights and diyas used at prayer, look in pooja essentials.

Burn a new candle long enough for the whole top to melt evenly, usually an hour or two, so it does not tunnel down the middle. Trim the wick before each use, keep it away from curtains, children and pets, and never leave it burning in an empty room. Air fresheners and candles sit in personal care and household, with laundry close by.