Scent has a powerful effect; it can lift moods and reduce stress. A pleasant-smelling home, for instance, feels instantly more inviting and makes a space feel clean. Achieving a naturally fragrant home does not have to be complicated or costly. By adopting simple habits and incorporating thoughtful details, individuals can ensure their home smells amazing without using synthetic chemicals. The best part? Each natural scent adds personality and comfort to a space, making it feel truly lived in and cared for.
Heat Up a Simmer Pot
Simmer pots are a great way to liven up the place. Simmering some natural ingredients on the stovetop can fill the house with a warm and natural scent. Slices of orange or lemon are great for a fresh smell. Pair the slices with some thyme, mint, or rosemary for a crisp freshness in the air. Spices like star anise, cloves, or cinnamon sticks can also be great. Toss in a handful of leftover apple peels to make the home smell like a bakery during the fall. Simply add the ingredients to the water pot, bring it to a boil, and let the steam blow into the rest of the house to do the work. Keep the heat low and top off with water as it evaporates. This trick is especially great before guests arrive.
Sprinkle Baking Soda
Some spots need extra attention because they hold onto smells longer. Take entryways, mudrooms, or pet corners, for example. To get rid of the smell, individuals can use baking soda. It is also a great pet-friendly deodorizer and safe for pets. Plus, it can be easily sprinkled on beds and rugs before vacuuming.
Individuals can sprinkle baking soda on shoes to rid them of the unpleasant odor. They can also place pouches of potpourri, tea bags, or baking soda packs. A small tray of activated charcoal near a shoe rack can also help absorb lingering smells.
Make Wax Melts or Candles
Candles lend the place a warm glow and make the home smell lovely. Individuals can make scented wax melts or candles at home. By DIY-ing the task, they can also ensure they are not using synthetic ingredients. Making the candles and wax melts at home is a hands-on family activity that members can partake in and create something better than the store-bought versions. Making these products at home also means having more control over the ingredients and the scent of the finished product. It is a perfectly natural way of adding fragrance to allergy-sensitive homes.
Choose waxes that burn cleanly; soy or beeswax are optimal choices. Add essential oils like vanilla, peppermint, or lavender during the melting process for natural fragrance. Wax melt warmers or oil burners offer a safer option for those who want a scent without an open flame.
Use Essential Oils
Using essential oils is a smart and efficient way of naturally making the house smell amazing. A drop or a few is enough to make a room smell nice. It can be used in a spray bottle diluted with a carrier. Most individuals prefer water as a carrier.
Individuals can pick a signature fragrance for their home and stick to the same essential oil daily. They can also experiment and switch up the oil every few weeks.
To use the oils, simply shake the mixture and mist it around the room or on fabric surfaces as needed. An essential oil diffuser can also be a great way to disperse the scent throughout the room. Popular oils like sweet orange, eucalyptus, lemon, lavender, and rose create a clean and calming atmosphere.
Individuals can add a few drops of essential oil to cotton balls for a subtle fragrance and place them inside dresser drawers, closets, or bathroom cabinets. This method allows for gentle scent release without taking up much space.
Use Distilled Water
Regular cleaning goes beyond dusting surfaces; it is essential for maintaining a hygienic and inviting home. A clean house not only looks appealing but also feels welcoming. Additionally, the condition of an individual’s home also significantly affects its scent.
Distilled white vinegar is effective for neutralizing unpleasant odors and can be used to clean floors, wipe down countertops, and deodorize a musty refrigerator. Its scent dissipates quickly, leaving the home smelling fresh.
Baking soda is another excellent natural cleaner that is both easily accessible and efficient. Individuals can sprinkle it on carpets before vacuuming to freshen them up. Additionally, pouring a baking soda and vinegar mixture down the drains with hot water can help clear clogs and eliminate odors in the plumbing. It effectively absorbs lingering smells hiding in less visible areas of a home.
Have Plants Around the House
Houseplants do more than just enhance the appearance of space; they also help purify indoor air and provide subtle scent improvements. Additionally, plants work well when combined with other natural scenting methods.
Growing basil, rosemary, thyme, or mint can significantly improve how the kitchen or a particular room smells. Plus, these herbs add a lovely flavor to meals. Plants such as gardenia, eucalyptus, and jasmine are also excellent choices for adding a natural scent to the space, as they emit a gentle fragrance and help remove toxins from the air.
Make DIY Sachets
Ditch the chemical-heavy scented pouches and DIY natural sachets at home. Mix dried lavender buds with uncooked rice and a few drops of essential oil. Seal the mix in small cotton or muslin bags. These are perfect for drawers, linen closets, or gym bags.
Cedar blocks or chips are another way of scenting the space up. Cedar naturally repels insects and has a woody, comforting scent. Cedarwood essential oil refreshes the space as it fades.