In winter, many of us turn to cosy, comforting scents to make our homes feel warm and inviting. But simmer pots can feel a little wasteful, especially if you’re trying to be mindful of energy use.
A gentler, more sustainable alternative is the radiator sachet — a small muslin bag filled with fragrant botanicals that releases scent using only the warmth your radiator is already producing.
These little bundles are simple to make, beautifully natural, and a lovely way to use winter foraged finds or leftover kitchen ingredients.
What You Can Use: Pine, Cedar, Citrus & More
Winter offers a surprising amount of natural fragrance if you know where to look. Here are some beautiful ingredients that work perfectly in radiator sachets:
Foraged Pine
Fresh pine tips or short needles from safe, edible pine species (like Scots pine) carry a clean, refreshing woodland scent.
They dry well and release a subtle resinous aroma when warmed
Cedarwood Leaves
Fresh cedar leaves do release a soft scent when warmed.
Look for Western red cedar or other common garden cedars (avoid yew).
Crush gently before adding them to intensify the aroma.
Dried Orange Peel
A classic winter fragrance. Save the peel from your fruit, let it air-dry for a few days, and it becomes beautifully aromatic.
Dried Ginger
Dried ginger brings a warm, spicy heat.
If you dehydrate slices yourself, it becomes even more fragrant on gentle heat.
Our Midwinter Tea blend is perfect for this!
With its orange, pine, clove, juniper and spice notes, it essentially is a natural winter potpourri.
You can add a spoonful of the loose tea directly to the sachet for a comforting, festive aroma.
How to Make a Winter Radiator Sachet
You’ll Need:
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Small muslin bags (drawstring)
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Foraged pine needles (safe species only)
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Cedar leaves (optional)
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Dried orange peel
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Dried ginger
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1 spoon of Midwinter Tea (optional but lovely)
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A cinnamon stick or star anise (optional)
Method:
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Gather your ingredients.
Break citrus peel into small pieces and crush cedar leaves lightly to release their oils.
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Fill the muslin bag.
Add a small handful of pine, a pinch of citrus peel, some dried ginger, and a spoon of your Midwinter Tea.
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Tie securely.
Ensure the drawstring is firmly closed so nothing spills.
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Place on a radiator.
Set the sachet on top of a warm (not hot) radiator, or hang it from the valve.
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Enjoy the scent.
As the radiator warms, it gently releases a subtle winter fragrance — no simmering, no energy wasted.
Is It Safe?
On a standard UK radiator (water-filled central heating), the temperature is far below the ignition point of cotton or botanicals.
As long as you’re using a radiator, not an electric bar heater or open fire, this method is considered safe.
Zero-Waste Ways to Reuse Your Ingredients
1. Use the sachet for 2–3 days
The fragrance lasts surprisingly well with passive heat.
2. Dry the contents for fire starters
Pine, cedar, and citrus peel work beautifully in fire bowls or log burners
3. Add to compost
Everything breaks down naturally and enriches the soil.
4. Make a fragrant vinegar infusion
Place the spent peel and spices in a jar, cover with vinegar for two weeks → strain → you have a natural cleaning spray.
Winter Fragrance Blends to Try
Woodland Walk
Pine needles
Cedar leaves
Juniper berries
1 cinnamon stick
Midwinter Glow
1 tbsp Midwinter Tea
Dried orange peel
Clove
Star anise
Kitchen Warmth
Apple peel
Dried ginger
Bay leaf
Cinnamon
Citrus Hearth
Orange peel
Lemon peel
Allspice
Pine
Why Radiator Sachets Are Better Than Simmer Pots
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Use no extra energy
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No supervision needed
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Safer & cleaner
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Gentle, long-lasting scent
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Perfect for reusing kitchen and foraged materials
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Ideal for small spaces
They’re also beautiful as handmade gifts — tied with twine and labelled with a winter phrase.
Optional Gift Tag Text
“A winter sachet for gentle home fragrance. Place on a warm radiator and let the scent of pine and citrus unfurl through your home.