11 Genius Hacks to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh 24/7 (Guide)

Have you ever walked into your home only to be greeted by an unpleasant smell? I’ve been there, and it’s not fun. A smelly house can damper your mood, whether a forgotten trash can or a lingering odor from last night’s dinner.

But don’t worry, I’ve got some tried-and-true tips to help you make your house smell fresh and inviting again. What I will be covering:

• Using Citric Acid 🍋
• Warm-up Vanilla Extract 🌡️
• Purify Air with Activated Charcoal 🌬️
• Use a Cup of Vinegar 🥃
• Utilizing Candles for a Fragrant Home 🕯️
• Hanging Eucalyptus on the Showerhead 🚿
• Dryer Sheets 🧺
• Coffee Beans Make a Scent Difference ☕
• Car Fresheners Freshen Houses Too 🚗
• Baking Soda 💪
• Simmering Spices on the Stove 🔥

In this article, we’ll explore some fantastic smell hacks that I’ve discovered over the years. I’ll share some of my favorite ways to banish bad odors and make your home smell wonderful.

1. Incorporate Citric Acid

A great cleaning and deodorizing hack revolves around a not-so-secret ingredient – citric acid. Teaming citric acid with essential oils creates a powerful odor-fighting solution.

When you dispose of your trash, spray some at the bin’s bottom before replacing the bag.

One can even use citric acid-based cleaning solutions for the entire house, not just restricted to the trash can. Pair it with soap and water to clean up the smelly corners, say, your toilet bowl. It’s highly effective and natural.

In the kitchen, citric scents are well-appreciated universally. Nothing beats the scene of a sunny day, windows wide open with the scent of freshly chopped fruits wafting around.

2. Warm-up Vanilla Extract

Here’s a sweet little trick for you. Vanilla extract isn’t just for baking – it’s also great for creating a cozy atmosphere in your home.

I borrow the method from travel bloggers who spend much time on the road and want their homes to smell inviting when they return.

To create a reliably comforting scent:

• Step 1: I’ll drop a few teaspoons of vanilla extract into a small dish
• Step 2: Bake it on low heat for about half an hour.

It’s the simplest way to invigorate your home with the warm, sweet scent of fresh-baked treats, even if you’re not quite the baker.

3. Purify Air with Activated Charcoal

Ah, activated charcoal. I’ve always marveled at how this simple substance can do wonders in eliminating odors. Activated charcoal filters are excellent odor-neutralizers that don’t add any added fragrance.

They’re handy for stink-prone rooms or even your gym bag. I’ve found them to be effective around areas with diaper pails, garbage bins, and litter boxes. Handy will be an understatement.

It is electrically nonpolar and can absorb the most common kitchen vapors and gases. During those times when my kitchen isn’t smelling its best, I prefer hanging activated charcoal in a porous bag just by my kitchen window.

4. Use a Cup of Vinegar

Are you tired of unpleasant odors lingering in your home? Grab a cup of vinegar packed with acetic acid, eliminate foul smells, and keep indoor air fresh and clean. You might think it’s just for cleaning, but its usefulness extends far beyond that.

How about trying this?

• Step 1: Place the vinegar in a bowl or cup.
• Step 2: Let it sit in the problematic area for a few hours.

I’ve seen this trick work first-hand. My mother-in-law, a nonsmoker, swears by it for alleviating tobacco odors from in-house smokers. She places several bowls filled halfway with white vinegar around smoke-prone areas, after which these areas smell neutralized.

Bear in mind you’ll initially smell a bit of vinegar. It’s a simple trade-off. The vinegar smell subsides over time, taking away with it all the offensive odors of its surroundings. This technique works well for cooking odors, too.

5. Utilizing Candles for a Fragrant Home

Pairing a fresh-smelling, scent-soaked house with visually pleasing aesthetics involves an art mastered by a few. Candles are a great tool for this job! Their dual purpose, color, and pleasant aroma can reduce odors while lighting your home with a cozy, inviting glow.

Natural candle varieties that pique my interest are those made from eco-friendly waxes such as beeswax, coconut, or soy. These candle types score high on the sustainability scale and charm the air with essential oil scents.

6. Hang Eucalyptus on the Showerhead

Breathing in the scent of a spa every morning sounds heavenly. I’ve got you covered. Here’s my personal favorite: hang eucalyptus on your showerhead.

Yes, you heard me right. This isn’t just to jazz up your bathroom decor. The hot steam from your shower activates the oils in the eucalyptus, spreading a refreshing scent throughout your bathroom and beyond.

You might worry about those gorgeous leaves falling and clogging up the drain. Trust me, I’ve had my share of experiences.

I’ve tried various eucalyptus types and found some leaves stay put for months. Yes, months without the leaves falling off. Or take a simpler route: spritz a bit of eucalyptus essential oil just before the shower.

7. Dryer Sheets are Not Just for Dryers

Who said dryer sheets are only for your laundry? Let’s give the dust and must a run for their money and freshen up our sheets, towels, and other linens.

Slip a few dryer sheets between the folds of your linens. You’ll notice a refreshing difference in no time. This trick can stretch beyond your linen closet. It works brilliantly with clothes in your drawers, too.

Trust me, those drawers won’t just be junk drawers anymore. They’ll be fresh junk drawers.

8. Coffee Beans Make a Scent Difference

Coffee beans, who knew? You might’ve thought these items’ sole roles were to awaken your senses in the morning or create a relaxing ambiance in the evening. Yet, these humble products can effectively neutralize and replace unpleasant odors in your house.

Coffee is well known for its robust and invigorating scent. You’ve spotted those little bowls of coffee grinds at fancy perfume stores, right? Guess what?

That’s not only a gentle nudge to make a Starbucks run. Coffee’s distinct smell helps to reset our olfactory palette, thus allowing us to smell each aroma more clearly.

So, place a tealight candle in a jar filled with coffee beans and let it work wonders, revamping your air quality.

9. Car Fresheners Freshen Houses Too

Remember those car fresheners you love? Well, they’re not just for the car. It may surprise you that these handy helpers can make your home smell as refreshing as your vehicle.

Clip a car deodorizer to your home’s air conditioning and heating vents. The result? An instant and effective scent boost that pervades the whole house.

But don’t stop there—car freshener bombs. You read right. They’re appealing not only for making the car smell great but also for specific spots in your home.

How about a sunny window sill? With this hack, the warm breeze from outside can carry this amazing smell throughout your room.

10. Baking Soda: The Odor-Eliminating Powerhouse

Baking soda isn’t just for baking or keeping your fridge odor-free. It’s a versatile agent that neutralizes even the most stubborn smells.

For a quick fix, sprinkle some baking soda on carpets, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it up.

It absorbs odors and can also be used in trash bins or laundry hampers to combat unpleasant scents. Fill decorative bowls with baking soda and place them discreetly around your home for a more decorative approach.

If you’re feeling crafty, you can create your own sachets with baking soda and your choice of dried herbs or flower petals. These sachets can be tucked into drawers, closets, or shoes to keep your home smelling fresh with minimal effort.

11. Simmering Spices on the Stove

Creating a welcoming aroma in your home could be as simple as raiding your spice rack. Simmering spices is an age-old method that infuses your space with a warm and inviting scent.

To get started, fill a pot with water, bring it to a boil, and then add your favorite spices—cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise work wonderfully.

You can add citrus peels or a few drops of vanilla for complexity. Let this aromatic concoction simmer on low heat, and the natural fragrances will waft through your home, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Keep an eye on the water level and top it off as needed. This method is particularly useful during the colder months, adding both scent and a touch of humidity to your living space.

Alternative Options

Creating a refreshing and aromatic environment in your shower can elevate the mundane into a luxurious spa-like experience. While eucalyptus is a popular choice for many, its distinctive scent isn’t for everyone.

Fortunately, several alternatives cater to different preferences, offering a range of benefits from relaxation to invigoration. Here are a few options to consider:

Soothing Alternatives to Eucalyptus:

• Lavender:
  • It can provide a calming atmosphere, reducing stress and improving sleep.
  • The steam from the shower releases lavender oils, filling the space with a gentle aroma.
  • Adds a touch of color with its delicate purple flowers, enhancing bathroom aesthetics.
• Peppermint:
  • Offers a refreshing and cooling effect, ideal for an invigorating morning shower.
  • It is known for its ability to help with mental clarity and congestion relief.
  • Its strong scent is activated by the steam, creating an energizing environment.

Odor Neutralizing Solutions Without Vinegar:

• Bamboo Charcoal:
  • Subtly eliminates odors by absorbing them rather than masking them with fragrance.
  • Environmentally friendly and renewable, bamboo charcoal is a sustainable choice.
  • Comes in visually appealing bags that can be placed discreetly around the home for ongoing odor control.

Frequently Asked Question

• Can Indoor Plants Improve Air Quality?
  • Absolutely! Indoor plants like spiders, peace lilies, and snakes can purify the air. They absorb toxins and release oxygen, acting as natural air fresheners. Plus, they’re a stylish addition to any room.
• Is There a Natural Alternative to Mothballs for Closet Freshness?
  • Instead of mothballs, consider cedar blocks or sachets filled with dried lavender. These natural alternatives can repel moths while adding a pleasant scent to your closet space.
• Are Scented Candles or Incense Sticks Good Options for Home Fragrance?
  • Scented candles and incense sticks can provide immediate fragrance and ambiance. However, use them with caution if you have pets, sensitivities to smoke, or strong scents. Ensure proper ventilation to avoid overwhelming the space.
• What’s a Safe and Effective Way to Freshen Up Upholstery?
  • For a non-toxic approach, lightly sprinkle baking soda on upholstery, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then vacuum it up. It’s a great way to lift odors without using harsh chemicals. You can also lightly mist fabric with a diluted essential oil spray, ensuring color-safe for your furniture.
• How Do I Deal with Pet Odors Without Harmful Chemicals?
  • Regular grooming and washing of pet bedding are crucial. A mixture of water and apple cider vinegar for spot treatments can help neutralize odors. Also, consider a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner that breaks down the odor molecules.

References

Organizations:

• The Indoor Air Quality Association. https://www.iaqa.org/
• Arm & Hammer. https://www.armandhammer.com/

Books:

• “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy” by Valerie Ann Worwood
• “The Royal Guide to Spot and Stain Removal” by Linda Cobb

Website Resources:

• Aromatherapy.com. https://www.aromatherapy.com/
• GoodHousekeeping.com. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/

Video References:

Dash of Jazz

Miss Tifanny Tynes

GetGreenBeWell

Shelley Quesnel