A fresh-smelling home is more inviting and relaxing.
Discover the best natural ways to eliminate bad odours and keep your home smelling fantastic with these simple yet effective tips.
Have you ever walked into a house and instantly felt welcomed by a refreshing, clean scent? A pleasant-smelling home isn’t just about luxury; it plays a huge role in creating a comfortable and hygienic living space. Bad odours can creep in from garbage bins, pets, damp areas, or even kitchen spills. The good news? You don’t need artificial air fresheners filled with chemicals—natural solutions work just as well, if not better!
Let’s explore the best ways to make your home smell amazing, using simple, effective, and eco-friendly methods.
1. Keep Your Trash Can Fresh
Your trash can is one of the biggest sources of bad odours in the house. Simply taking the garbage out isn’t enough; the bin itself absorbs odours over time. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Deep Clean Regularly – Rinse the can with a garden hose, scrub with an all-purpose cleaner, and wipe it dry.
- Odour Absorbers – Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom or place a dryer sheet inside to neutralise smells.
- Essential Oils – Add a few drops of lemon or eucalyptus oil to a cotton ball and drop it at the base before inserting a new bag.
2. Use Dryer Sheets Beyond the Laundry Room
Dryer sheets are fantastic for absorbing unwanted odours. Try placing them:
- In shoe cabinets to keep footwear fresh.
- Inside gym bags to combat sweat smells.
- Behind air vents so the fragrance circulates around your home.
Replace them every few weeks to maintain freshness.
3. Revitalise Your Carpets and Rugs
Carpets trap dirt, bacteria, and odours, making regular cleaning essential. A simple, natural solution is:
- Mix one part vinegar with three parts water, dab it onto the carpet, and rinse with clean water.
- Sprinkle baking soda over carpets, let it sit overnight, and vacuum it up the next morning.
- For a fresh scent, add a few drops of lavender or citrus essential oil to the baking soda before sprinkling.
4. Freshen Up the Basement with Onions
A musty basement smell can linger long after a rainy day. An easy fix? Slice an onion in half and leave it overnight in the basement. By morning, it will have absorbed the odours, leaving the space fresher. Don’t worry—the onion smell fades quickly!
5. Get Rid of Mould Smells for Good
Mould and mildew thrive in damp areas, like bathrooms and basements, creating unpleasant odours. A powerful cleaning mix to remove them:
- 1 cup bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water.
- Scrub affected areas with a stiff-bristled brush.
- Rinse thoroughly and ensure proper ventilation to prevent mould from returning.
6. Say Goodbye to Stinky Sneakers
Smelly shoes can make an entire closet reek. A simple trick:
- Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes overnight to absorb odours.
- Remove the powder the next morning, and enjoy fresh-smelling footwear.
7. Keep Your Washing Machine Odour-Free
Mould and mildew love damp environments, and your washing machine is a prime breeding ground. To prevent musty smells:
- Run a hot cycle with a cup of bleach every few weeks.
- Keep the door open between washes to allow air circulation.
8. Turn Your Bathroom into a Spa
Transform your bathroom into a mini spa with fragrant herbs. Hang bundles of rosemary, thyme, or lemon balm in the shower. The steam from hot water will release their natural essential oils, filling the room with a relaxing aroma.
9. Keep Your Toilet Fresh with Vinegar
Your toilet is another common culprit for unpleasant smells. An easy fix:
- Pour one cup of vinegar into the toilet and let it sit for five minutes.
- Scrub with a toilet brush and flush for a sparkling, odour-free toilet.
10. Add Essential Oils to Toilet Paper Rolls
For an effortless air freshener, add a few drops of essential oil to the cardboard tube inside your toilet paper roll. Every time someone pulls the roll, the scent is released, subtly deodorising the bathroom.
11. Naturally Deodorise Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals can quickly become a source of foul odours. Combat this by:
- Dropping lemon, lime, or orange peels into the disposal while running.
- Pouring half a cup of white vinegar followed by cold water to cleanse deep odours.
12. Remove Dishwasher Odours with Vinegar
A dishwasher can start to smell if food residue builds up. A simple solution:
- Place a dishwasher-safe cup filled with white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot cycle.
- Alternatively, pour two cups of vinegar at the bottom and run the machine empty.
13. Keep Your Fridge Smelling Fresh
Refrigerators can trap strong food odours, but baking soda works wonders to absorb them.
- Place an open box of baking soda inside the fridge and replace it every six months.
- For an extra fresh scent, keep a small stocking filled with coffee grounds at the back of the fridge.
14. Get Rid of Kitchen Cooking Smells
If the smell of fried food or spices lingers, try:
- Boiling one cup of vinegar on the stove after cooking to neutralise strong odours.
- Burning an orange peel over a gas flame for an instant citrus aroma.
- Simmering cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger in a pot of water to spread a warm, inviting fragrance.
15. Purify the Air with Houseplants
Plants don’t just look great—they also clean the air naturally. Some of the best air-purifying plants include:
- Snake plants
- English ivy
- Scented geraniums
- Arabian jasmine
These plants absorb toxins while releasing a fresh, clean scent into your home.
