How To Make Your Home Smell Nice (Naturally)

There is a large section of our supermarket shelves dedicated to anti-odour products. That's because we all want the same thing, a beautiful smelling home. Whether its pet odours, cigarette smoke, or just the lingering scent of last nights takeaway, we want to find ways to make our home smell more inviting. Unfortunately, most of the products you can buy in the shops are full of chemicals and irritants, even the ones which claim to be 'all-natural' and 'unscented'.

Making your own anti-odour products means you can avoid all of those nasties, and have fun doing it too!

1. Lemon Basil Room Spray

What You Need

• 4 tbsps dried basil
• 175ml tap water
• 175ml distilled water
• 1tbsp vodka
• 5 drops essential lemon oil
• 1 coffee filter (or a fine sieve)
• Funnel
• Measuring jug
• Spray bottle (repurposed if possible)

Lemon and basil are beautiful, clean scents to fill your home. To begin making your room spray, start by boiling the tap water in a pot or kettle and pour it into a liquid measuring jug. Add the dried basil and let steep for a few minutes. Line your funnel with a coffee filter and place it in the opening of a reusable spray bottle. Carefully pour the basil and water mixture into the bottle through the filter to remove the herbs. Add distilled water, vodka, and lemon essential oil to the bottle. Attach the spray bottle top and shake to combine the mixture. Spray the odor eliminator around the room as needed.

2. Reed diffuser

What You Need

• 60ml distilled water
• 25-30 drops of essential oil (try cinnamon & lavender, or spearmint & rosemary)
• 1-2tbsp vodka
• 5-6 bamboo skewers
• 1 small jar with narrow opening

Pour the distilled water into a glass measuring jug, and add the essential oils (and alcohol. Stir until everything is well incorporated. Pour the mixture into your chosen jar (a funnel is helpful here if you have one) and insert the bamboo skewers. 

Once you notice the sticks are well soaked, flip them around to soak the other end. Do this once a week, with a quick swirl to prevent settling, and if you notice the scent starting to fade, just add some more essential oil!

3. Carpet Deodoriser

What You Need

• 250g baking soda
• 130g cornstarch
• 10 drops essential oil
• Funnel (make one from paper if you don't have one!)
• Clean jam jar with lid
• Hammer and nail

Try this homemade carpet deodoriser for a natural way to eliminate lingering smells from your floors. Start by mixing the baking soda and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil and stir to combine. Use a funnel to pour the mixture into jam jar. Create small holes in the lid using a hammer and nail, then attach the lid to the jar. Lightly sprinkle the mixture onto the carpet or rug as needed, and let sit for at least 30 minutes before you vacuum it up.

4. Rosemary and Lemon Simmer Pot

What You Need

• 4 fresh rosemary stalks
• Lemon peel from 2 lemons
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Saucepan

To scent your house with a simmer pot, simply combine the ingredients, along with 4 cups of water, in a pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat and allow to simmer. Keep a close eye to make sure the pan doesn't boil dry, top it up with water as needed. This is a great one to do while you're doing some housework!

5. Fabric Spray

What You Need

• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 125ml distilled water
• 10 drops essential oil (Lavender is a natural choice because of it’s calming properties, but citrus oils like lemon, tangerine, sweet orange, and grapefruit are a great way to get a natural energy boost!)
• Funnel
• Repurposed spray bottle

Add the baking soda to the spray bottle using the funnel. Heat the distilled water in the microwave or in a pan until it's just warm to the touch. This helps the baking soda to dissolve. Pour the water into the bottle and add 10 drops of your favourite essential oils. Replace the cap, give it a good shake, and spray on any fabric around your home to eliminate unwanted odours.

6. Herb Sachets

What You Need

• Iron-on interfacing (sounds fancy but it's easily available from your local haberdashery!)
• Linen fabric (repurposed or purchased)
• Scissors (or pinking shears if you have them)
• Dried flowers and herbs of your choice

Begin by cutting your fabric into 5 inch squares. Next cut the interfacing into 4 strips measuring 5 inches each. Lay a linen square face down on your ironing board and then lay a piece of interfacing on each edge of the square (four pieces total). Then, place a second square on top, sandwiching the bonding in between the two pieces and taking extra care to line up the edges. Iron 3 sides of the fabric to seal, leaving one side open to fill. Taking a handful of mixed flowers and herbs, place them inside the bag, and iron the final side.

These can be placed in drawers, wardrobes, under pillows, and even in the dryer on a low heat!

Some other ideas...

There are also ways you can help to prevent smells from building up in your home.

• Opening your windows daily to allow fresh air in, even on a cold day, allows air to circulate and removes any build up of unhealthy toxins in the air. 
• Get baking! Nothing says home like walking in to the smell of freshly baked bread!
• Fresh flowers are great for areas of high traffic like the hallway. Choose flowers which are highly scented like lilies and roses, just make sure nobody in the home finds the pollen an irritant.
• Washing your sheets, blankets, and bed coverings frequently can also help to eliminate odours. Smells tend to cling to fabrics, especially when it's warm, so change your bedding regularly and give rugs a good shake outdoors once a week.
• Household bins can be a leading cause for odours in the home so make sure to clean them out regularly. Sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom of the bin to help with absorbing any smells.
• Many houseplants also help to absorb household smells. Jasmine, chrysanthemums, scented geraniums, and gardenias, all provide a beautiful scent as well as reducing carbon monoxide and producing oxygen. And, of course, they look great, too!!

 If you have any other tips you'd like to share I would love you to share them in the comments below!

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