Step 1: Gather your ingredients. You'll need one orange, one lemon, 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, 1-2 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and about 4-6 cups of water.
Step 2: Slice the orange and lemon into thin rounds. You can use the entire fruit, or just the peels if you've already used the fruit for juicing or another recipe. The peels hold the most aromatic oils!
Step 3: Place the sliced citrus, rosemary sprigs, and cinnamon sticks into a medium to large saucepan or pot. A larger pot means you'll have to refill the water less frequently.
Step 4: Pour 4-6 cups of water into the pot, ensuring all ingredients are submerged. The amount of water will depend on the size of your pot.
Step 5: Add the vanilla extract to the pot. This subtle addition really rounds out the fragrance.
Step 6: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting possible to maintain a very gentle simmer. This is key to releasing the aromas slowly and preventing the water from evaporating too quickly.
Step 7: Let your simmer pot do its magic! Allow it to simmer uncovered for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 hours, adding more hot water as needed to keep the ingredients submerged. Check every 30-60 minutes, especially if your pot is smaller or your heat is slightly higher.
Step 8: To reuse, simply turn off the heat and let the pot cool completely. Cover it and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to refresh your home again, simply bring it back to a gentle simmer, adding fresh water as needed.
Step 9: Discard the ingredients after a few days or when their fragrance has faded. You can even compost the fruit and herb scraps!