16 Natural Ways to Make Your Home Smell Amazing: Recipes, Cleaning Tips, and Room
Freshening Ideas.
Moving into an older home can sometimes mean dealing with musty odors. But, there are ways to
combat these smells naturally.
This article will guide you through various methods to eliminate odors and create a fresh-smelling
home without resorting to harsh chemicals.
When you return home after a trip, you want to be greeted by a pleasant scent. Luckily, there
are many easy tricks to get rid of unwanted odors.
The best part is that using natural ingredients for odor elimination and air freshening is often
more cost-effective than buying commercial products that simply mask bad smells with artificial
fragrances.
These 16 tips will help you clean and freshen your entire home, creating a welcoming and pleasant
atmosphere.
How to Make Your House Smell Good Naturally
The majority of the cleaning needed to make your house smell good can be achieved using just baking soda
and white vinegar.
These two ingredients are incredibly versatile for freshening your home because they neutralize odors
and act as natural air fresheners.
If you enjoy infusing your home with fragrance without overwhelming artificial scents, then using herbs,
spices, produce, and essential oils can make your house smell amazing.
Natural Whole House Fragrance Ideas
1. DIY Stovetop Potpourri
Simmering stovetop potpourri for a day or two is an excellent way to give your home a fresh scent,
reminiscent of crisp leaves and warm apple pie, all without using harsh chemicals.
It’s a perfect way to capture the essence of fall in a pot!
Ingredients
- Large pot of water (filled 3/4 full)
- 2 apples, sliced
- 2 lemons, sliced (or other citrus peels like orange)
- 10 cinnamon sticks
- A small handful of whole cloves
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
Mix all the ingredients in a pot and let them simmer (not boil) on the stove with the lid off. You
can also keep it heated in a slow cooker on low without the lid for up to 48 hours. Just add
more water if the level gets low.
Feel free to get creative with additional ingredients you may have, such as rosemary, thyme,
mint, oranges, limes, cranberries, cardamom, or ginger.
You can also repurpose food waste by using fruit peels. Prepare a pot an hour before guests
arrive, and your home will smell exceptionally inviting.
For real estate agents, a simmer pot is an easy trick to create a pleasant aroma before an open
house.
2. DIY Room Spray
Since I don’t enjoy room sprays with artificial scents, making a DIY room spray is a perfect
alternative.
Ingredients
- Glass 16 oz spray bottle
- Small funnel
- 3 Tbsp witch hazel
- 60 drops essential oil of your choice
- Distilled water
- Label maker (optional)
In the spray bottle, add the witch hazel and essential oil drops. Fill the rest of the bottle with
distilled water. Shake well before misting your rooms for a natural scent boost.
3. Add Essential Oils to Air Filters
This trick works great for infusing your entire house with the scent of essential oils. Add 15-20
drops of your chosen essential oil all over a clean air filter before putting it back into the
air return vent.
I love using lavender and cedarwood oil because both have
stress-reducing properties and are safe for pets.
IMPORTANT: Avoid using essential oils that are harmful to pets or children.
Check
which essential oils are toxic to pets and the
best practices for using essential oils around children.
Natural Ways to Make Textiles Smell Good in Your Home
4. DIY Linen Spray
It is a good idea to spritz your linens after putting on clean bedsheets or in a guest room
before visitors arrive.
Ingredients
- Glass 16 oz spray bottle
- Small funnel
- 1 1/2 cup distilled water
- 3 oz unflavored vodka (or rubbing alcohol)
- 40 drops of your essential oil of choice
- Label maker (optional)
Mix all the ingredients in a glass spray bottle, and label it “linen spray” if desired. Shake
well before use and lightly mist pillows, blankets, and sheets. If using rubbing alcohol instead
of vodka, you’ll need to shake more vigorously before each use.
I love using eucalyptus, lavender, and bergamot together for a fresh, clean, and relaxing scent
on bedding (and don’t forget living room blankets and pillows). You can experiment with custom
oil mixtures or stick to a single type for a natural home fragrance.
5. Get Rid of Musty Smells in Towels
Do your towels sometimes develop a musty smell? This trick neutralizes odors, deep cleans, and
can even brighten whites while remaining color-safe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- Your regular laundry detergent
Wash bedding, towels, and other linens on a warm setting (if the fabric allows). Add 1 cup of
white vinegar directly to the washing machine drum. After the cycle finishes, pour 1/2 cup of
baking soda into the drum and wash with your regular laundry detergent.
Your linens will smell fresh and be free of mustiness, feeling extra clean.
6. DIY Carpet Deodorizer
If you have pets that sometimes have accidents, a potty-training toddler, or older carpets,
there may be lingering odors in your rug fibers, especially in rooms with high humidity levels.
Ingredients
- Spice shaker canister
- Baking soda
- 12-16 drops of essential oil of your choice
In a 4-oz shaker bottle, fill it halfway with baking soda. Add 6-8 drops of essential oil to the
baking soda and mix well. Repeat, filling the shaker to the top.
Liberally sprinkle the DIY carpet deodorizer on carpets and rugs. Let it sit for 30 minutes,
then vacuum.
How to Make Clothing Smell Better
7. Get Rid of Musty Smells in Drawers and Closets
If you frequently deal with musty odors in dresser drawers, then charcoal bags are a great solution.
Place a couple of charcoal bags in drawers and closets to absorb bad smells. After a month or
two, set the bags in direct sunlight for 2-3 hours per side to “recharge” them so they can
continue absorbing odors.
