13 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Fresh Naturally

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A fresh-smelling home is inviting and comfortable, creating an environment where residents and guests feel at ease. However, achieving that pleasant scent doesn’t require harsh chemical air fresheners, which can often contain harmful ingredients. Instead, you can naturally refresh your home’s atmosphere using simple, eco-friendly methods.

From essential oils that offer a variety of aromatic benefits to everyday ingredients found in your kitchen, there are numerous ways to infuse your living space with delightful fragrances. Here are 13 effective ways to make your home smell fresh and natural, allowing you to enjoy a clean and inviting atmosphere without compromising on health or sustainability.

Simmer Potpourri on the Stove

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A simmering pot of natural ingredients is one of the easiest and most effective ways to infuse your home with a delightful aroma. Add cinnamon sticks, citrus peels, cloves, and rosemary to a pot of water. Simmer on low heat and enjoy as the steam spreads a warm, comforting scent throughout your space.

Use Essential Oil Diffusers

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An essential oil diffuser enables you to send the most lovable smells of nature into the atmosphere. Opt for scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon to get a fresh scent. Diffusers also act as a decorative item, adding a calming atmosphere to the room.

Create Your Room Spray

You can make a DIY room spray with water, essential oils, and a spray bottle. Peppermint, orange, or tea tree essential oils are great options for adding to your bottle of water. Add 10–15 drops, give it a nice shake, and spray it around on the artificial plants to freshen them up straight away.

Open the Windows

Cracking open your windows for ten minutes a day can banish the air of stuffy premises and let in that fresh aroma of clean air. Dust and trash using a scum spray (most effective in kitchens and bathrooms where smells have built up).

Place Fresh Herbs Around Your Home

Herbs on Olive oil — Photo credit: Pikwizard

Herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary look beautiful in pots or vases and emit a pleasant fragrance. Place them around your home to naturally purify and scent the air. These herbs are easy to care for and add a fresh, earthy scent.

Deodorize with Baking Soda

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) absorbs odors. Set small bowls of baking soda in places where odors collect, such as the kitchen or bathroom. You can even sprinkle some on your carpets and rugs, wait 15-20 minutes, and vacuum up all those trapped odors.

Make Scented Sachets

Use small fabric bags of dried flowers, herbs or spices (like lavender, chamomile and cinnamon). Put these sachets in drawers, closets or under your pillow to uplift an enclosed surrounding with a new natural fragrance.

Use Citrus Peels for a Zesty Boost

Simply place the peels of lemon, lime, and orange in bowls throughout the house and let the fresh-peeled produce scents waft through your home. Once you’ve cleaned the peels, you can also rub them on countertops and sinks, providing a moment of perky citrus freshness upon use.

Bring in Fresh Flowers

A bouquet of fresh flowers adds beauty to your space and fills the room with a light, natural scent. Lilies, roses, and lavender are particularly fragrant. Swap them out regularly to maintain their vibrant fragrance.

Bake Something Delicious

The scent of freshly baked cookies, bread, or pies can evoke comfort and coziness. As baked goods cook, they release scents of vanilla, cinnamon, or chocolate that linger long after the oven has been turned off. This method creates a welcoming environment perfect for entertaining guests or simply enjoying a relaxing day at home.

Use Vinegar to Neutralize Odors

White vinegar is a powerful natural odor neutralizer. Leave a small bowl of vinegar out overnight in rooms where odors persist, like the kitchen or bathroom. The vinegar will absorb unpleasant smells without leaving its strong scent behind.

Try Activated Charcoal

Another great way to remove unwanted odors is with activated charcoal. You can buy charcoal bags or stick activated charcoal in a breathable pouch. Place them anywhere you would like them to absorb odors, such as shoe closets and your fridge.

Make a DIY Carpet Deodorizer

Mix baking soda with a few drops of essential oil to create your carpet deodorizer. Sprinkle the mixture onto your carpets or rugs, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and vacuum it up. This simple trick will leave your carpets smelling fresh and clean.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.