Last updated on July 28th, 2023 at 08:08 am
You probably remember a house you visited that smelled so incredible you wanted to live there, or at least stay longer. A house that smells good is warm and inviting–it’s one of life’s little pleasures. Also, great smells can trigger memories. A great smelling house creates a relaxing environment and is an instant mood-booster.
But a smell is great when it’s subtle and feels infused into the space. Houses that smell good have a cozy, welcoming atmosphere and give off a luxurious vibe.
While candles can make your house smell good instantly, they can be dangerous, more so when you have pets or young kids. This post outlines several ways to make your space smell fresh, clean and inviting without them.
Use a Diffuser
Essential oils are a simple, amazing, customizable way to scent your home. Depending on your taste or mood, you can use one scent or create a unique, custom blend. Oil diffusers are safe, easy to use and emit scents subtly. Moreover, you can leave them unattended. You only need some water and a few drops of essential oil to create a great scent that lasts hours. You can also fill a vase with diffuser sticks. It’s an excellent home accessory and the oil blend lasts longer.
Bake Something
Nothing makes your house smell as cozy as the aroma of baked goods! It’s a delicious, effective, and surefire alternative to candles. If you need a good reason to make a batch of cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, muffins, or some banana bread, this is it! It’s an added bonus if you have tasty treats for guests. The downside is the smell of baked goods isn’t long-lasting, but you can always bake something again.
Make Stovetop Potpourri
Stovetop potpourri is an amazing way to make your house smell good any time of year, without candles. It’s versatile, easy to make, and smells great for hours. You can use a crockpot or a regular saucepan. For slow cooker potpourri, add orange rinds, sliced apples, cranberries, or other aromas, fill your crockpot with water, and turn it on low. When it simmers, it gives off an inviting aroma.
There are lots of recipes and combinations to try out depending on the vibe and scent you’d like.
Make DIY Room Spray
Room sprays are an easy and affordable way to quickly freshen up your space. A quick spritz fills the home with your scent of choice. Most commercial sprays contain plenty of chemicals, and the last thing you want to do is breathe these chemicals. Making your own means you’ll know what you’re actually spraying around your house. You can create a simple, natural room spray, by combining water, lime juice, and baking soda. Alternatively, fill a spray bottle with ½ cup of distilled water, 1/2 cup of witch hazel, and add 20 to 30 drops of essential oil.
Grind or Brew Some Coffee
The smell of coffee can fill your home with a marvelous scent. Flavored coffees that include vanilla or spices have an even stronger smell, ideal for making your house smell good. You can also get coffee beans–preferably organic– then grind them yourself. Doing this gets you better-tasting coffee and also makes your house smell fantastic.
How to Keep Your House Smelling Good All the Time
Keeping your house smelling good throughout the day is no mean feat. But here’s how you can achieve it with safe candle alternatives that work great.
Get Some Eucalyptus
If you love the idea of fresh flowers but prefer something longer-lasting, try fresh eucalyptus. It lasts about three weeks and is easier to deal with than flowers. A vase full of eucalyptus is sleek, attractive, and the leaves smell lovely. Place the vase in the kitchen, living room, or bathroom for a subtle eucalyptus scent throughout the day. You can also hang sprigs of eucalyptus in your shower but be careful not to get it wet. The steam activates their oils and scent.
Electric Wax Warmer
Electric wax warmers are similar to candles, only safer because you’re just warming, not burning. They use scented wax to fill your house with revitalizing scents. The best part is that with a few ingredients, you can make your wax melts at home. You only need silicone molds, a slow cooker, and a slow cooker liner.
How to Make Your House Smell Good Naturally
If you prefer going the natural route, these simple ways can make your home smell pleasant.
Open the Windows
Opening your windows is the easiest way to eliminate stale smells, and freshen up your home. Allowing a nice breeze to flow through the house feels amazing. It makes your space feel cleaner and lifts your home’s mood. To get a cross breeze, open windows on multiple sides of the house. Opening your windows is easier when the weather is great, but you can also do it during the winter, at least for a short time.
Buy Fresh Flowers
If you love flowers, there’s no better excuse to get yourself a bouquet now and then. It’s a natural, chemical-free way to make your house smell amazing. Flowers like roses smell incredible, make beautiful decor, and are pretty to look at. For a great seasonal accent, buy fresh flowers and leave them on your coffee table, counter, or dining room table. Select flowers with a scent you enjoy but avoid overpowering scents like lilies.
How to Make Your House Smell Good Without Air Freshener
There are chemical-free alternatives to commercial air fresheners for a great-smelling home, including:
Deodorize Your Carpets
An easy way to avoid carpet smells is to attack spills immediately. The more you spot-treat and vacuum your carpets, the less likely they are to smell. If you have pets or don’t get the time to deep clean your carpet often, it may be the reason you notice weird, lingering scents in your house. Carpets easily hold onto pollen, dirt, bacteria, and mold which can cause bad smells.
Homemade or commercial carpet deodorizers are great for eliminating nagging smells from your floors. To deodorize it, add a few drops of essential oil to baking soda and sprinkle it on your carpet. Let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it. Your carpet and house will smell fresh and clean.
Deal with Moisture
Moisture is the most common cause of household odors. Test the humidity level in each room using a hygrometer. Use a dehumidifier in any room with humidity above 60%. Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting or rugs, if you live in a hot, humid climate. They can trap moisture, especially in the bathroom or kitchen.
Keep moisture-absorbing products in areas that often get damp, such as bathrooms. Also, monitor micro sources of moisture including towels and sponges. Replace sponges every 1-2 weeks, and dry towels fully before putting them away.
Best Products to Make House Smell Good
Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets clean wonderfully, pick up dust and absorb odors, which leaves the house smelling nicer. But it’s best to use biodegradable dryer sheets with natural ingredients like recyclable paper and essential oils.
Cheapest Ways to Make House Smell Good
Open the Fridge
One reason you have awful lingering smells is because of the leftovers and condiments in your fridge. Open the fridge and clear anything past its expiry date. To ensure your fridge contents are fresh, take an inventory at least once every month. Thoroughly scrub the interior of your fridge with hot water, white vinegar, and a drop of dish soap. Rinse with a damp cloth.
Clean Soft Surfaces
Upholstery, throw pillows, window covers, and bed linens are smell magnets. Even after you’ve wiped dirt or a spill dries, odor-causing bacteria can still stay behind. Check the fabric care labels on throw pillows, window covers, and bed linens to see if they can be machine-washed. Get a professional to steam-clean your upholstery once a year.
Clean With Lemon
Cleaning your shower with lemon juice removes limescale and soap scum. You can also combine baking soda with lemons to clean the toilet, and leave your house smelling fresh and lemony.
How to Make a House Smell Good Fast
Try Reed Diffusers
The right scent can instantly make your house feel cleaner, fresher, and more inviting. Many candle scents are also available as reed diffusers. A reed diffuser keeps scents strong, and you don’t have to worry about the danger associated with burning candles.
To create a simple DIY version, add 1 teaspoon of essential oil to a small glass container and fill it up with baby oil. Place diffuser sticks inside the glass container and stir the mixture gently. Set your reed diffuser on a table or countertop to quickly fill the space with fragrance.
What to Boil To Make House Smell Good
There are many things you can boil to make your house smell good. Cloves and orange peels are a great way to create an incredible smell in the winter. During spring, combine rosemary with sliced lemons or lime and a hint of vanilla. Once it simmers, the scent can be felt throughout your home. You can also sprinkle cinnamon or add some cinnamon sticks to a saucepan full of water and simmer until the scent disperses.
You can still make your house smell great without candles. Whether you prefer the natural way or not, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can boil lemons or cinnamon, use diffusers, deodorize or enjoy some baking.