My new hosting secret? This simmer pot hack – a simple, non-toxic, and wow-worthy way to make your home smell incredible

I'm a little obsessed with finding the best home fragrances, but I’m always on the lookout for options that are both budget-friendly and non-toxic. So when I discovered the summer simmer pot hack, I had to try it – it's one of the simplest ways to make your home smell nice.

While I’ve seen plenty of simmer pot ideas online, it was Williams Sonoma's signature simmer pot recipe that really caught my eye. I love walking into their stores because they always smell so inviting, and it’s all thanks to the simmer pot quietly bubbling in the corner.

Before diving in myself, I consulted our kitchen appliances editor, Lydia Hayman, for some expert tips. Here’s everything you need to know about the summer simmer pot hack.

What is a summer simmer pot?

'Also called a stovetop potpourri, a summer simmer pot is a non-toxic, endlessly adaptable way to fragrance your home,' Lydia explains.

It couldn’t be easier to make: all you need is a large pot of water and a selection of herbs, spices, and aromatics. With a little stovetop magic, these simple ingredients transform into a naturally fragrant home.

Summer simmer pot ingredients

• 2 oranges, cut into slices
• 2 teaspoons dried flowers/tea leaves (Lydia suggests rosehip, everlasting flower, hibiscus and linden leaf)
• 1/4 cup sliced ginger root
• Half teaspoon sweet almond extract
• 1 cinnamon stick

Method

• Fill a large pot or Dutch oven with cold water and add in your ingredients.
• Top up the pot with boiling water and bring it to a gentle simmer.
• Continue to simmer for around 20 minutes, when the fragrance should begin to deepen and spread throughout your home.
• Carefully add in more water as it evaporates, and let your simmer pot bubble away for up to 2 hours.

A simmer pot might take a little more patience than lighting one of your best candles, but you'll be thoroughly rewarded. 'As the water evaporates, I keep topping it up, and I just let it hum away in my Le Creuset Dutch oven,' says Lydia. 'I’ve also seen people use glass pots on TikTok, which turns the whole ritual into something beautiful to look at, too.'

Shop everything you need for a sensational simmer pot

What goes in a summer simmer pot?

The beauty of the simmer pot hack is that it can be customized depending on the ingredients you have on hand – and the kind of mood you're in. 'I almost went with the classic Williams Sonoma blend – lemons, rosemary, peppercorns, and vanilla extract – but it felt too bright and springlike for the turning leaves and cooler air outside,' Lydia explains.

Instead, she suggests a richer, more fruity simmer pot which will create a 'warm, floral scent with a touch of spice. It's perfect for late summer, easing into fall.'

With just a few simple swaps, the simmer pot becomes more than a fragrance hack – it’s a way to match your home’s atmosphere to the changing season, wrapping the air in warmth and comfort as summer fades into fall.