Your home is supposed to be your oasis, so there’s nothing worse than coming home at the end of a long day to a stinky space! Between kids, pets, cooking, and other aspects of daily life, our homes can take on some pretty nasty odors. Here are 12 simple ways to make your entire home smell wonderful and fresh!
1. Lemon Basil Spray
If you don’t like the idea of using a chemical-filled air freshener, you can easily make your own cleaning/freshening spray using ingredients like lemon and basil!
2. Lavender Linen Spray
Want your sheets and bedroom to smell relaxing and amazing? Just mix together a few drops of lavender essential oil, a sprinkle of baking soda, and some distilled water. Spritz your linens, curtains, and more!
3. Air-Detoxifying Plants
Certain plants make for great natural air cleansers, removing toxins, bacteria, and unpleasant scents from your home. Aloe is one of the best examples.
4. Eucalyptus
Many people hang a few stems of eucalyptus in their showers. The hot water and steam will activate the eucalyptus, releasing an amazing scent and helping to clear out your sinuses.
5. Lemon Essential Oil
To prevent your garbage from smelling horrible, apply a few drops of lemon essential oil to a cotton ball or two. Place the cotton balls in the bottom of a fresh garbage bag.
6. Simmer Pot
You can have your kitchen and entire main floor smelling delicious by putting some water and yummy-smelling ingredients in a pot on the stove, then simmering it for an hour or two.
7. Oil Reed Diffuser
Oil diffusers consist of bamboo reeds dipped into a great-smelling oil. They disperse smells throughout large spaces, and they’re aesthetically pleasing, too. Learn how you can make your own.
8. Hanging Herbs
Hanging dried herbs in your kitchen or bathrooms delivers natural, air-cleansing scents. Plus, they look lovely!
9. Potpourri
Potpourri may seem like something your grandmother would use, but it’s actually quite effective and easy to make! Check out this simple tutorial.
10. Garbage Disposal Cubes
Make ice cubes using distilled vinegar and citrus rinds. When you put them down your garbage disposal, they’ll clean and deodorize the area.
11. Baking Soda
Stick an open box of baking soda in your fridge! This old-school hack has been around for so long because it really is great for absorbing yucky fridge odors.
12. DIY Toilet Freshener
Keep your bathroom smelling fresh by making a DIY toilet freshener.
13. Glass of Salt and Vinegar
This might sound a little strange, but placing a small glass filled with salt and vinegar in a frequently used room can subtly improve the overall freshness of your space. In my experience, it works best in rooms that tend to hold onto odors—like the kitchen or laundry room. The salt acts as a natural absorber while the vinegar neutralizes unpleasant smells in the air (especially smoke, food, or pet odors). While it won’t overpower your space with fragrance, it quietly works in the background to reduce mustiness and add a sense of clean air. Just be sure to place it somewhere it won’t get knocked over, and change it out every few days for best results.
Mix 1 cup baking soda with 1 cup white vinegar, and add 10 drops of essential oil (e.g., lemon, lavender). Let it fizz, then pour down the toilet, scrub if needed, and flush. Use weekly for a pleasant and eco-friendly bathroom aroma.
