A warming kitchen staple is back in British homes this autumn.
Followers swear by a pan of cinnamon and water on a low simmer. They claim it slashes stale odours within minutes and keeps working for hours. The method costs pennies, needs no sprays, and leaves a soft, spicy trail that feels like a hug after a long day.
Why cinnamon water is trending again
Old remedies travel well. Households in Egypt and Rome scented rooms with spice infusions. British grannies simmered sticks after fish night or on damp days. Today, families reach for the same trick because it is cheap, quick, and gentle on sensitive noses. Many readers say it cuts mustiness by up to 95% when paired with a cracked window and basic moisture control.
Simmer 3–5 Ceylon cinnamon sticks in 500–750 ml water for 12–15 minutes, circulate the steam, and refresh the water as needed.
The effect comes from warm aromatic oils rising with the vapour. They mask sour notes and help loosen stale air so it can move out of corners. Add light ventilation and the result feels cleaner, not just perfumed.
What you need
- 3–5 cinnamon sticks (Ceylon gives a brighter, softer aroma)
- 500–750 ml cold water (about 2–3 cups)
- Optional: 3 lemon slices, 2–3 rosemary sprigs, 2 star anise, or 4 cloves
- Option on a budget: 1 tsp ground cinnamon (the scent fades faster)
- A small saucepan with a heavy base and a hob set to low
Step-by-step method
Never leave a pan unattended. Keep handles turned in. Pets and curious hands stay well away from a hot hob.
Power tweaks that raise the impact
- Toast the sticks dry in the pan for 60 seconds before adding water to wake up the aroma.
- Add lemon and a pinch of salt to cut fishy notes after seafood.
- Use rosemary for damp corridors, star anise for shoe cupboards.
- Place a bowl of dry rice or baking soda in the hallway to catch moisture and sulphur notes.
Does it really remove 95% of bad odours?
It depends on the source and the airflow. Spicy vapours can overwhelm mustiness from yesterday’s cooking or a closed-up spare room. They struggle with deep tobacco residues or pet accidents in carpets. Home tests suggest big gains within 20–30 minutes when you combine three moves: simmered cinnamon, a cracked window, and an odour absorber such as rice or baking soda in a small bowl.
Try a simple check. Place two identical tea towels in a room with stale air. Run the method for 20 minutes with light ventilation. Step outside for a minute, reset your nose, then smell both towels. Many households notice one retains only a faint stale note after treatment, which hints at a reduction near the top end of claims.
Costs and energy use
A low simmer on a modern hob can draw around 0.15–0.25 kWh in 15 minutes. At 28–32 pence per kWh, that is roughly 4–8 pence per session. Sticks can be reused once. A small jar of Ceylon sticks often covers a month of light use.
Ceylon vs cassia: what changes
| Type | Aroma profile | Typical coumarin | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceylon (true cinnamon) | Light, citrusy, clean | Very low | Daily simmering, small flats |
| Cassia | Bold, sweet, heavy | Higher | Occasional deep scent |
For room-scenting, both work. If you plan to simmer often, most people prefer Ceylon for a softer, less sticky note. Ground cinnamon can cloud the water and leave residue on the pan, so keep it gentle and wipe surfaces after use.
What the science suggests
Musty air comes from volatile compounds left by cooking, damp fabrics, or poor airflow. Warm aromatic oils such as cinnamaldehyde and eugenol reach the nose quickly and distract from sour notes. Humid air from the pan lifts particles and nudges air to move out through a cracked window. You get masking plus a small flush of stale air. That is why results jump when you pair the pan with ventilation and a dry absorber.
Run scent, airflow, and absorption together: a pan on low, a window open a crack, and a small bowl of baking soda or dry rice.
When to use it, and when not to
- Use after frying, on rainy days, before guests arrive, or during a home viewing.
- Avoid if a gas leak is suspected. Switch off, leave, and seek help.
- Do not rely on scent for mould growth. Fix leaks, dry rooms, and treat surfaces.
- Skip if anyone in the home reacts to spice aromas or strong scents.
Extra ideas that lift the result
Pair the simmer with quiet background measures. Dry laundry in a single room with the door shut and a dehumidifier or an open window. Rotate door mats and wash them hot once a week. Empty the kitchen bin nightly and rinse the caddy with hot water and a squeeze of lemon. Slide a sachet of dry rice mixed with a pinch of ground cinnamon into shoe cupboards and change it every two weeks.
For persistent damp, aim for relative humidity near 45–55%. A small digital sensor costs little and guides you when to open trickle vents or run a dehumidifier. If smells sit in soft furnishings, a light sprinkle of baking soda, a 30‑minute wait, and a thorough vacuum can reset the room before you run the cinnamon pan.
