The battle to find an air freshener that doesn’t overpower, underwhelm, or just remind you of that bowl of potpourri that you man used to keep on the side, on top of a lace doily, is a battle that few survive. The memories of potpourri, weirdly appetising in looks – but foul tasting (it was a mistake ok?), still haunt many to this day.

So how do you bring a natural(ish) scent into your home, not to compete with the air in your home, but simply to enhance it with a gentle fragrance. A squirt from a can, an automated scent machine, a cardboard pine tree, or a Yankee candle?

Personally, I find that candles are the way to go. A big fan of The Yankee candles range, they are both better smelling, and more aesthetically pleasing than the alternatives. Despite the advances in P&G/Unilever’s attempts to convince us that plastic + battery + perfume sachet is the way to go, there’s something that just feels a little more ‘natural’ about a flickering flame and the gentle scent released.

But candles bring their own danger, and depending on the demographic make up of your household, may not always be the safest option. Luckily, Yankee candles now offer an alternative delivery mechanism for their well-loved range.

Designed primarily as an air freshener for cars, the Clean Cotton Car Jar, are small plastic bottles that contain a gel-based fragrance. Through a slit around the sides, they gradually release their scent over a period of weeks at a power that neither overpowers or stands out.

In combination with scented candles, we’ve found that the Car Jars make a welcome addition to the home – in bathrooms, toilets, and wardrobes. Clean Cotton is our favourite as it complements our fabric conditioner. There have been various complaints online that say the scent wears off too quickly, and that for the price they would prefer a little more longevity, but for us the Car Jars are a success.

Buy the Clean Cotton Car Jar from Amazon here