Buzz
Inexpensive yet powerful methods to maintain a fresh and clean scent throughout your home
If you've noticed an unpleasant smell creeping into your home or simply want to add a little fragrance to elevate the atmosphere, these tips will help. A fresh scent not only indicates a tidy space but can also boost your mood. We've gathered various natural ways to infuse your home with delightful aromas, with insights from natural health expert Ritu Thakur, MA, ensuring that you (and your guests!) can't help but smile and enjoy the scents around you.
How to Fill Your Home with Pleasant Fragrances
- Infuse your home with pleasant smells by simmering ingredients like cinnamon, peppermint, or other fragrant herbs and spices.
- Use baking soda to neutralize and absorb unwanted odors.
- Regularly clean rugs, curtains, and linens to keep things smelling fresh.
- Let fresh air in by opening windows and doors to air out your home.
- Fill your home with the warm scent of freshly baked goods, such as cookies.
Steps
Create your own potpourri.
Infuse your home with a blend of spices, dried botanicals, and essential oils. You can find potpourri at most craft or home décor shops, or you can make your own! DIY potpourri is not only affordable, but it’s also the best way to avoid potentially harmful chemicals found in commercial products.
- Start by collecting dried petals, leaves, pinecones, and other natural elements. Lay them out to dry, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type of plant and humidity level.
- Place your ingredients on a paper towel on a tray in a well-ventilated area, ensuring plenty of natural light to prevent mold growth.
- Your dried ingredients should easily crumble or snap when ready.
- Whether you forage or purchase, Thakur recommends using organic, pesticide-free materials.
- Mix in spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, or essential oils like lavender, lemon, and vanilla.
- Once mixed, display your homemade potpourri in a decorative bowl to add charm and fragrance to your home.
Let in fresh air by opening the windows.
A simple way to banish musty or unpleasant smells is by letting fresh air flow through your home. On pleasant days, open your windows and doors to invite a refreshing breeze inside. Don’t forget to open doors within your home to allow the air to circulate freely throughout your space.
- Speed up the process by turning on ceiling fans or placing a box fan in the window to draw in fresh air more efficiently.
Fill your home with fragrance using candles.
Fragrant candles can bring a whole new energy to a room. While you can buy scented candles at most stores, making your own is an affordable and eco-friendly option, allowing you to avoid the chemicals often found in store-bought candles. Learn how to create your own using wax and essential oils.
- Melt your preferred wax on medium heat. Once it’s fully melted, add a few drops of essential oils of your choice to infuse the wax with fragrance.
- If you’re aiming to be eco-conscious, opt for beeswax or soy wax, both of which are compostable!
- Soak a piece of twine or cotton string in your wax to create your wick.
- Wrap one end of the wick around a pencil and place it across your container, allowing the wick to hang into the container below.
- Teacups or glass jars make excellent candle holders, and you can always reuse old candle containers!
- Pour your fragrant wax into the container and let it dry. Once dry, trim the wick to about a quarter-inch above the candle’s surface.
Whip up a batch of something that smells delicious.
Chocolate chip cookies are always a winner. If you need an instant mood boost and inviting scents, nothing beats baking. Whether you’re preparing a meal or a treat, the aroma is guaranteed to create a cozy atmosphere in your home. Plus, if you're expecting guests, the fragrance of your upcoming dish will make them feel right at home!
Create your own reed diffuser blend.
Essential oil diffusers are a simple and effective way to eliminate odors. They’re also incredibly easy to make at home! Thakur highly recommends reed diffusers, calling them “the best way to keep your space fresh without resorting to potentially harmful chemicals.”
- In a small bowl, combine 1⁄4 c (59 mL) of carrier oil (Thakur suggests grapeseed, safflower, or sweet almond) with 2-3 US tbsp (30-44 mL) of rubbing alcohol.
- Add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil, then pour the mixture into a narrow-necked bottle to prevent evaporation.
- Insert 2 or 3 reed diffusers, and let the fragrance spread throughout your home!
Try simmering pot infusions.
Simmer pots are a cost-effective, simple, and eco-friendly way to fill your home with pleasant scents. Essentially, a simmer pot is a pot of water heated on the stove with fragrant ingredients added to create a delightful aroma. It’s like having a candle, but faster and easier!
- Fill a pot with water and bring it to a simmer on the stove.
- Add your favorite ingredients—common choices include citrus peels, fragrant flowers like lavender or rose, and herbs such as rosemary or thyme.
- Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or even essential oils, can also be added for extra fragrance.
- Let the pot simmer for a few hours, checking it every 30 minutes. Just be sure to avoid tasting it, no matter how tempting it may smell!
Bring flowers into your home.
Not only are they visually appealing, but they also fill your home with amazing scents. Fresh flowers are a wonderful way to freshen up your home while also welcoming guests. Choose your favorite fragrant flowers, place them in vases throughout your home, and enjoy the lovely aromas they bring.
- Popular fragrant flowers include lavender, lilac, hyacinth, lilies, gardenias, and jasmine.
- For a longer-lasting scent, try drying flowers by hanging them upside down.
- Just be sure to change the water every few days, as leaving flowers in stagnant water for too long can cause them to start decaying and smell unpleasant.
Create your own all-natural room freshener.
Create a simple air freshener by blending vodka, water, and essential oils. Combine 3 fl oz (89 mL) of distilled water in a spray bottle with 1 fl oz (30 mL) of unflavored vodka and 20-30 drops of your chosen essential oils, then shake well. Spray it around your home to refresh your space.
- For a fresh, clean scent, try lemon, tea tree, lavender, or peppermint oils, as they are great for cleaning.
- Thakur recommends frankincense oil, describing it as "induce[s] relaxation, peace, harmony, and meditation.... It can be used as a calm air spray in the bedroom to assist with sleep."
Combat odors with apple cider vinegar.
Create your own apple cider air freshener. Apple cider vinegar is incredibly effective at neutralizing odors. Simply mix it in a spray bottle with water in equal parts and mist it around your home to freshen the air.
- For a stronger scent, you can also simmer apple cider vinegar on the stove. Mix it with water in a 1-to-1 ratio, and let the apple cider aroma fill your kitchen.
Use baking soda to absorb unwanted smells.
Baking soda is your ally against musty or unpleasant odors. Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to combat fridge odors, or sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs before vacuuming to banish lingering smells. Let it sit for 24 hours or overnight.
- Alternatively, place small bowls of baking soda around your home for several days to absorb odors naturally.
Use coffee grounds to neutralize odors.
Don't have baking soda? Coffee grounds are a great alternative! After your morning coffee, place the used grounds in a bowl and set it near smelly areas like the trash can or pet spots. In a day or so, the grounds will absorb the unpleasant smells.
Absorb odors with activated charcoal.
Place activated charcoal near the source of odors and let it work its magic. This natural deodorizer is a great alternative to baking soda or coffee grounds and is less messy. Just put it in any area that needs freshening up, and it will help minimize odors over the course of a day.
Give your garbage disposal a good clean.
Leftover food could be causing an unpleasant smell in your kitchen sink. If you’re detecting an odor from your sink, it may be time to clean your garbage disposal (or your drain if you don’t have one). To tackle the smell, pour some lemon juice or white vinegar—both natural deodorizers—into the drain or disposal to help break down old food and eliminate the odor.
Take out the trash.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but trash can sometimes be the hidden source of bad odors. Even if you regularly take out the garbage, your trash can itself could be harboring lingering smells. Give it a good scrub with soap and water between bag changes, and make sure it dries properly before inserting a new bag.
- For particularly stinky trash (think expired food, pet waste, cheese, fish, etc.), make it a habit to take it out immediately rather than letting it sit overnight.
Give your fridge a deep clean.
Spoiled food can create an unpleasant odor in your kitchen. If you're noticing a strange smell from your fridge, it might be time to check expiration dates or throw out last week’s leftovers.
- Once you’ve removed any smelly food (and taken it straight out to the trash), wipe down the inside of your fridge to remove stains and spills, making it smell fresh again.
- To keep things smelling good, try an all-natural cleaning spray, or make your own by mixing apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts.
Inspect your houseplants for any signs of mold or decay.
Your beloved plant might be the source of the unpleasant smell. While houseplants can add a touch of nature to your home, they don't actually purify the air as commonly believed. If you’re noticing a bad odor, an overwatered or dying plant could be behind it!
- Decaying plants can produce a musty smell, while too much water can lead to root rot, mold, and bacteria that can be harmful to your health.
- Prevent root rot by ensuring proper air circulation and only watering your plant when necessary.
- To check if your plant needs water, insert a dowel into the pot and pull it out. If there’s soil stuck to the dowel, your plant is still moist and doesn’t need watering yet.
Give your shoes a wash.
Smelly shoes can bring unwanted odors into your home! Whether it’s from a sweaty workout, dirt, or simply a long period without cleaning, your shoes might be harboring unpleasant foot smells. It’s time to wash them!
- For sneakers, toss them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with regular detergent, then let them air dry. You can speed up drying by using a hairdryer.
- If you’re worried about washing your shoes in the machine, hand wash them with gentle detergent in the tub, then let them air dry.
- If you don’t want to wash them, simply place your shoes outside and let the fresh air do its work.
Make vacuuming and mopping a regular part of your routine.
Maintain clean floors to keep odors at bay. While baking soda can help eliminate lingering floor smells, regular cleaning is the key to preventing odors from building up. Make it a habit to vacuum and mop at least once a week.
- If you can, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter for optimal results.
Change your bed linens regularly.
Dirty bedding can make your room smell musty. Over time, your bed sheets and blankets can accumulate sweat, dirt, oils, dust, makeup, and even body fluids—all of which can leave a sour smell behind. Wash your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets every two weeks to keep your bed feeling fresh and clean.
- If you tend to sweat during the night or share your bed with a pet, you may want to wash your linens more frequently.
Wash and dry your laundry right away.
Leaving dirty or wet laundry can lead to unpleasant smells. Make it a habit to wash your clothes regularly to avoid musty odors, and don’t forget to dry them promptly. If wet clothes sit too long in the washer, they’ll develop a mildew scent, requiring a rewash.
- If you don’t have access to a dryer, hang your clothes outside immediately after washing to avoid odors.
Enhance your laundry with fragrant products.
Give your freshly washed clothes a lasting, delightful scent. Regularly cleaning your clothes helps prevent them from creating unpleasant odors in your home, but for an extra touch, opt for scented detergent or dryer sheets to make them smell not just clean, but truly refreshing.
Maintain a clean and dry bathroom.
Bad odors could be coming from a neglected bathroom. Even if your bathroom appears clean, without regular cleaning and drying, it could be hiding mold, mildew, and soap scum, all of which contribute to unpleasant smells.
- Make it a habit to wipe down your sink, tub, toilet, and floors with disinfectant once a week (or more frequently if needed), and remember to open a window or use a fan after showers to reduce moisture that encourages mildew growth.
- Change out towels every few days—damp towels can foster mildew and bacteria, which not only smells bad but is also harmful to your health.
Opt for scented soaps, shampoos, and lotions.
Make your home smell delightful by smelling great yourself! Be the scent you want to surround yourself with. Choose scented hand soap, body wash, shampoo, and lotions to carry a pleasant fragrance wherever you go.
- Consider using essential oils as well. Apply a few dabs of natural oils like peppermint, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, or a combination to your wrists, neck, or hair to spread lovely scents.
Freshen up your curtains.
They might trap more odors than you realize. Curtains can often blend into the background, but they tend to hold on to odors. That’s why it’s essential to wash them every so often—ideally, at least once a year.
Give your vents a thorough cleaning.
Cleaning your vents can help improve the quality of the air in your home. If your air vents are filled with dust, dirt, or even mold, a good cleaning (or having them cleaned) will not only allow fresh air to circulate more freely throughout your home, but it may also protect you from breathing in harmful substances like toxins and mold.
Consider purchasing an air purifier.
A HEPA filter can help clear the air and reduce odors. While opening windows and doors is an easy and effective way to freshen up your home’s air, running an air purifier can be a huge help, particularly in rooms with poor ventilation.
- Opt for a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, as these effectively trap air particles without producing ozone.
Control your home’s humidity levels.
Keeping the right humidity level can help maintain a fresh atmosphere in your home. A humidifier or dehumidifier can regulate the humidity in your home. The ideal range is between 30% and 50% humidity.
