Vanilla is typically associated with its popular use in sweet treats like cookies and ice cream. However, this widely loved flavoring has various innovative and unexpected uses beyond the realm of the kitchen. Its warm, sweet aroma and its natural properties make vanilla a versatile ingredient that can be used in multiple aspects of everyday life.

If you think vanilla’s versatility is limited to adding flavor to your favorite desserts, prepare to be amazed by some of the unordinary and practical applications of vanilla that you might not have considered before.

Vanilla has a cozy and inviting scent that is perfect for freshening up your living space. Add a few drops of vanilla extract to a bowl of water and place it in your room, or soak a cotton ball in vanilla and vacuum it up to spread the aroma around your home.

Bugs are often repelled by the smell of vanilla. You can make a natural insect repellant by mixing vanilla extract with water and wiping the mixture on your pulse points or spraying it around your space.

The scent of vanilla is known for its relaxing properties. You can use vanilla essential oils in a diffuser or appreciate a few drops in your bath water for a stress-relieving soak.

Forget about the traditional pine tree freshener, vanilla can be used to maintain a pleasant fragrance in your car. Apply vanilla extract on some cotton balls and tuck them into various corners of your vehicle.