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I believe that everyone’s home has its own unique scent. We all want our homes to smell good to visitors and ourselves. And I’m all about filling my home with natural, pleasant aromas.
Instead of using store-bought air fresheners and artificial fragrances (which can contain chemicals and toxic ingredients) why not try making your own? DIY natural air fresheners are easy to create and can make your house smell amazing. Plus, they’re a fun and creative activity!
Why Use Natural Ingredients?
Healthier Air: No harsh chemicals, just pure, natural ingredients.
Customizable: You can mix and match to create scents that you love.
Ecofriendly: Reduce plastic waste by using reusable containers.
Cost-effective: Often cheaper than buying commercial air fresheners.
Now let’s explore some fun ways to keep your house smelling great all summer (if not all year round!)
How to Make a House Smell Amazing?
Have Great Smelling Plants
Certain plants have really nice smells and can make your home smell great. Plants like lavender and gardenia usually grow better outside because they need lots of sunlight and fresh air. If you put them just outside the window of the room where you want a good smell, you can enjoy their fragrance when the window is open.
Besides lavender and gardenia, there’s many other plants that can make your house smell great:
- Jasmine: Known for its sweet fragrance, jasmine plants can be grown indoors near a sunny window or outdoors in a garden.
- Rosemary: This herb not only adds flavor to cooking but also gives off a pleasant scent. It grows well in pots indoors or in gardens outdoors.
- Lemon Balm: With a refreshing citrus scent, lemon balm is easy to grow indoors or in gardens. It’s also known for its calming properties.
- Citrus Trees: Lemon, lime, or orange trees not only look beautiful but also fill the air with a fresh, fruity fragrance. They can be grown indoors if given enough light.
- Mint: Spearmint or peppermint plants have a cool, refreshing scent. They are easy to grow in pots indoors or in gardens.
- Geraniums: These flowers come in various colors and have a pleasant, slightly citrusy aroma. They can be grown indoors or outdoors.
I highly recommend growing mint and herbs on your windowsill. It’s nice to just smell them even if you don’t use them!
Unadulterated Beeswax Candles
I love scented candles! Pure beeswax candles have a wonderful, natural scent that’s truly heavenly. They are also much safer for people with scent sensitivities or allergies because they don’t contain the artificial fragrances and chemicals found in many other candles. Plus, beeswax candles can help purify the air by releasing negative ions when burned.
Side note: A home’s ventilation is also a major factor. Tight homes retain smells more then breezy ones.
How to Give Your Home a Signature Scent?
It’s easier than you think. Start by picking a few scents that go well together. Here are some tips for placing them around your home:
- Foyer or Front Door: Use a candle or diffuser with a welcoming scent, like vanilla or spices, to make your home inviting. This helps create a warm and friendly atmosphere as soon as you or your guests walk in.
- Living Room: Choose a soothing scent, like lavender or sandalwood, to promote relaxation. Use a diffuser, candle, or scented spray to keep the area smelling pleasant.
- Kitchen: Go for fresh and clean scents, such as citrus or mint. These scents can help neutralize cooking odors and keep the kitchen smelling fresh. Use candles, diffusers, or even a pot of simmering water with citrus peels and herbs.
- Bedrooms: Opt for calming scents like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus. These can help create a peaceful environment conducive to sleep. Use essential oil diffusers, linen sprays, or scented sachets.
- Bathrooms: Fresh, clean scents like eucalyptus, mint, or ocean breeze work well. Use candles, reed diffusers, or air fresheners to maintain a pleasant aroma.
- Hallways and Stairways: Subtle scents like green tea or bamboo can keep these areas smelling fresh without being overwhelming. Use small diffusers or wall plug-ins.
By strategically placing these scents, you can create a cohesive and pleasant aroma throughout your home.
DIY Natural Air Fresheners to Make Your House Smell Great
1) DIY Room Spray
A room spray is quick and easy to use. You can make it with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- A small spray bottle
- 1 cup of distilled water
- 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol or vodka
- 2030 drops of essential oils (like grapefruit, lavender, or chamomile)
Instructions:
1. Pour the distilled water into the spray bottle.
2. Add the rubbing alcohol or vodka.
3. Add the essential oils.
4. Shake well before each use.
Spray it around your home for an instant fresh scent.
2) Baking Soda Air Freshener
Baking soda is great for absorbing odors, and you can enhance it with essential oils.
Ingredients:
- A small jar
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 1015 drops of essential oils (like peppermint, tea tree, or orange)
- A piece of fabric and a rubber band
Instructions:
1. Put the baking soda in the jar.
2. Add the essential oils and stir well.
3. Cover the jar with the fabric and secure it with the rubber band.
Place the jar in any room to keep it smelling fresh.
3) Make Your House Smell Great with Citrus and Herb Simmer Pot
A simmer pot is a natural way to make your home smell fresh. It’s easy and uses ingredients you likely already have.
Ingredients:
- 1 lemon or orange, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- A handful of fresh herbs (like rosemary or mint)
- Water
Instructions:
1. Fill a pot with water.
2. Add the lemon and lime slices.
3. Add the herbs.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer.
5. Let it simmer for as long as you like, adding water as needed.
This mixture will fill your home with a fresh, citrusy scent.
Tips for Removing Odors from Rugs, Mattresses, and Curtains
Sprinkle baking soda on your rug and let it sit for a while before vacuuming. You can also sprinkle it on your mattress and then vacuum it with the hand attachment. Try to wash your sheets every week and your curtains a couple of times a year. Sometimes it’s better to remove old odors rather than just covering them with new scents.
You can also sprinkle dried lavender on carpets and let it sit for 10 minutes before vacuuming. It smells great afterwards! It’s a natural alternative to carpet powders and is better for the vacuum filter.
Find more cleaning hacks here
For the Kitchen:
- Don’t leave food out for too long.
- Clean the sink when it’s empty with a sponge and dish soap.
- Use sink disposal cleaning packets twice a month.
- Vacuum or sweep every day if you cook a lot.
- Wipe the counters every other day.
- Take out the trash every three days.
More on Kitchen hacks
If you have pets, here are some easy tips:
- Clean your AC filter and vents. If you have citrus peels, soak them in vinegar for 6-8 weeks. Mix 1 part of this citrus vinegar with 4 parts water. Use this spray to clean and leave a nice lemon scent.
- Clean soft surfaces like rugs, sofas, and chairs. Sprinkle baking soda on them to absorb smells, wait 10-15 minutes, then vacuum.
- Open windows often to get fresh air inside, even when it’s warm.
- Keep some easy-to-care-for plants like snake plants and pothos. They clean the air and don’t need much light or attention.
- Clean your walls with a mix of fabric softener and water (1 part fabric softener to 6 parts water). You can add a few drops of essential oil for a light scent.
- Add a pleasant scent to your home. After cleaning, you can simmer lemon peels in water or light incense (make sure it’s charcoal-free) to add a fresh scent.
Making your own natural home scents is easy, fun, and beneficial for your home and health. Give these DIY ideas a try and breathe in the freshness of summer!
