When your house starts to smell less than fresh, you don’t have to reach for chemical-laden air fresheners that can be toxic to your health. There are plenty of natural ways to make your home smell inviting and clean. These methods are easy, safe, and affordable. Here’s how to make your house smell better naturally!
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the best tools for fighting odors naturally. It’s great at absorbing bad smells without adding any fragrance of its own. You can place an open box of baking soda in areas that tend to smell, like your fridge or trash cans. It will work to neutralize odors and leave the area feeling fresher.
You can also sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on your carpets and let it sit for about 20 minutes before vacuuming it up. This helps freshen up your rugs and eliminates any musty smells. If you want to tackle tough odors in your upholstery, sprinkle some baking soda on furniture and fabrics, let it sit for a bit, then vacuum it up.
This is an easy, no-fuss way to make your home smell better!
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great way to bring natural fragrances into your home. Aromatherapy oils like lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint are some of the most popular choices for a fresh and clean-smelling environment. You can make your own DIY air freshener by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oils to a spray bottle filled with water. Shake it up, then spray it in the air for a nice burst of scent.
Another way to use essential oils is with a diffuser. An oil diffuser spreads the scent of essential oils throughout a room. This is a more continuous method for filling the air with a natural fragrance. Simply add a few drops of essential oil into the diffuser, and let it work its magic.
Not sure which type of scent diffuser to use? Check out our post discussing the pros and cons of different types of diffusers.
Simmer Pots
If you want a welcoming smell in your home, try using a simmer pot. This method uses heat to release natural scents into the air. To make your own simmer pot, fill a pot with water and add ingredients like citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, or herbs such as rosemary or thyme. You can get creative with what you add, so feel free to try whatever combination you’d like. Let it simmer on low heat for a few hours and make sure to check the water level so it doesn’t evaporate completely.
Simmer pots are a great way to create a cozy atmosphere. The smell of simmering spices and citrus will make your home feel warm and comfortable. This is a wonderful idea for fall or winter, but you can use it year-round for a simple and natural way to make your house smell good.
Houseplants
Did you know that houseplants can help purify the air and keep your home smelling fresh? Plants like peace lilies, aloe vera, and lavender not only look beautiful in your home, but they also help remove odors and improve air quality. Some plants, like jasmine and geraniums, even release pleasant fragrances into the air.
If you place a few houseplants around your home, you’ll not only improve your air quality, but you’ll also add a natural scent to your space. Lavender and jasmine are especially great for bedrooms or living rooms because of their calming aromas.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is another simple and effective way to tackle unpleasant smells in your home. It may have a strong scent when you first use it, but once it dries, it helps to neutralize foul odors. Place a bowl of white vinegar in rooms with bad smells like the kitchen or bathroom. The vinegar will absorb bad odors and leave the air smelling fresher.
You can also mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it to mist your furniture, carpets, or curtains. This is an easy and natural way to get rid of smells in soft fabrics. White vinegar is also effective at removing pet odors, especially in areas like the carpet or furniture where pets spend a lot of time.
Candles with Natural Ingredients
Candles are a classic way to add fragrance to your home. However, many store-bought candles are made with artificial fragrances and can release harmful chemicals into the air. To keep things natural, choose candles made from soy wax, beeswax, or other natural materials. Look for candles that use essential oils for fragrance instead of synthetic scents. These candles will burn cleaner and release more natural, subtle scents into the air. You can also try making your own candle! Popular natural scents for candles include aromas like lavender, bergamot, eucalyptus, and vanilla.
Wool Balls or Dryer Sheets in Drawers and Closets
Dryer sheets are an affordable way to add a pleasant scent to your clothes and linens. You can place natural wool balls or dryer sheets in places like your drawers, closets, or even under your pillows for a subtle and clean scent. You can make your own natural fragrance sachets by filling small fabric pouches with dried lavender, rose petals, or other fragrant herbs.
This trick is great for keeping your clothes and sheets smelling fresh without using chemicals. It’s a subtle way to infuse natural fragrances into your home’s fabrics, and it’s very easy to do.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds can help absorb odors and freshen up your home. Place a bowl of used coffee grounds in areas like the kitchen or bathroom to get rid of lingering smells. You can also place them in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize unwanted odors. If you love the scent of coffee, this can be a great way to bring a pleasant aroma into your home.
Coffee grounds can also be used to scrub surfaces and clean your sink.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes are known for their bright scents. You can slice up a lemon or orange and leave the slices out in a bowl to naturally freshen up the air.
The acidity of citrus fruits also helps neutralize odors. Another nifty way to use citrus is to rub lemon on surfaces like cutting boards or countertops. This lets you clean common kitchen items while leaving behind a refreshing scent.
Better Air Circulation
Sometimes, all your home needs is a good dose of fresh air. You’d be surprised at how often this tip is overlooked!
Opening windows and doors for a while each day can help remove any stale smells and bring in fresh outdoor air. Proper air circulation helps improve the overall smell of your home. If you live in a place with a lot of humidity, for instance, a fan can help keep air moving and reduce any musty smells.
Something as simple as opening windows and letting the air flow can help quickly improve the smell of your home without doing much at all.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need chemicals to make your home smell great when you have so many tools at your disposal, like baking soda, essential oils, simmer pots, and more. Try some of these natural fragrance tips; they’re easy, affordable, and better for your health than most store alternatives.
Next time your home needs a little freshening up, bring out the houseplants or open up a window and enjoy!
