Top 8 Solutions On How To Make Your House Smell Good

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A fresh and pleasant-smelling home instantly feels more inviting, comfortable, and relaxing. But everyday activities like cooking, pet care, and even weather changes can leave behind unwanted odors. If you’re looking for practical and effective ways on how to make your house smell good, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’ve gathered the top 8 solutions that work for any home, using both simple household ingredients and store-bought products. Whether you want a quick fix before guests arrive or a long-term freshness strategy, these tips will help you transform your living space into a place that always smells clean and welcoming.

Contents

How To Make Your House Smell Good | Top 8 Solutions

A pleasant-smelling home can uplift your mood, contribute to better mental well-being, and create a welcoming atmosphere. However, unpleasant odors can creep in for various reasons, whether from garbage, wet carpets, or even air entering from outside.

To help you maintain a fresh and inviting home, here are eight detailed, professional, and effective solutions to make your house naturally smell good.

Solution 1: Use Scented Essential Oils in an Air Filter or Spray Bottle

Freshen up your home by utilizing essential oils. Here’s how:

  • With an air filter: Add a few drops of high-quality essential oils into the air filter. Choose natural, chemical-free oils like lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus. These scents will diffuse throughout your home, leaving it smelling amazing.
  • Without an air filter: Combine essential oils with water in a spray bottle, and spritz the mixture in every corner, especially near windows, so the fresh scent flows through the air whenever there’s a breeze.

Solution 2: Keep Garbage Areas Clean

Garbage is often the primary source of unpleasant odors. Regular maintenance is crucial:

  • Empty and clean garbage bins daily using scented detergents or dish liquids.
  • For garbage disposals, use citrus peels (like orange or lemon) to freshen the area. Create citrus ice cubes and grind them in the disposal to clean the blades and neutralize odors.
  • Use large disposable garbage bags to minimize mess and reduce odor.

Solution 3: Eliminate Odor with Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and works wonders on carpets and other odor-prone areas:

  • Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on carpets and rugs.
  • Leave it to sit for 15 minutes to absorb odors.
  • Vacuum thoroughly to leave carpets fresh and clean.

Solution 4: Create a DIY Air Freshener

Avoid the chemicals often found in commercial air fresheners by making your own:

  • Mix water, a small amount of alcohol, and your favorite essential oils.
  • Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it to mist your home as needed.

Alternatively, opt for natural store-bought air fresheners like “Botanica by Air Wick” or “Smells Begone Odor Absorber,” which are free from harmful chemicals and offer long-lasting fragrance.

Solution 5: Use Cinnamon for a Warm, Comforting Scent

Cinnamon offers a natural way to infuse your home with a cozy aroma:

  • Grind 4-5 cinnamon sticks and place them on a baking sheet.
  • Bake at 200°F for 20-30 minutes.
  • Place the sheet in corners or under carpets to enjoy the lingering scent.

Solution 6: Try Simmering Natural Ingredients

Simmering citrus peels and aromatic ingredients is an easy DIY trick:

  • Add 2-3 orange peels and lemon slices to a bowl of water.
  • Boil the mixture on the stovetop for about 15 minutes.
  • The scent will naturally flow throughout the house, replacing any unpleasant odors.

Solution 7: Neutralize Odors with Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are another natural deodorizer:

  • Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of coffee grounds in odor-prone areas like corners or near garbage bins.
  • The grounds will absorb bad smells while leaving behind a subtle coffee scent.

Solution 8: Use Air-Purifying Plants

Houseplants not only elevate the aesthetics of your home but also help purify the air and neutralize odors:

  • Plants like peace lilies, orchids, and palm trees are excellent natural purifiers.
  • Place them in key living areas for cleaner and fresher-smelling air.

How to Prevent Unpleasant Odors

Prevention is always better than a cure. Incorporate these habits into your routine to maintain a consistent freshness in your home:

  • Dispose of garbage daily and use sealed bags to contain odors.
  • Keep your kitchen spotless by cleaning dirty dishes and removing food waste promptly.
  • Avoid leaving wet carpets, clothes, or towels lying around. Dry them immediately, preferably in sunlight.
  • Replace artificial flowers with fresh flowers in vases and refresh them daily.
  • Spray stinky shoe racks with natural deodorizers or air fresheners.
  • Inspect for and remove any dead insects from corners or hidden areas.

By following these solutions and tips, you can achieve a clean, inviting home that smells good naturally. Say goodbye to lingering odors and hello to a living space that exudes freshness and comfort.

Read next: How to keep the house smelling good with pets

How To Protect The House From Smelling Bad?

If you want to know how to make your house smell good, we would say, as always, prevention is better than cure. So now, we will share some ways that you can follow to avoid bad smells. Before trying any solution to making your house smell great, you can make a ritual of these tips to avoid the bad smell appearing. Here are a few tips for you:

  • Make your garbage disposed of every single day. Always cover the garbage in sealed bags so that no odor can come out.
  • Don’t let any dead insects stay in any of the rooms. You can use insect killers once a week if your living area troubles you with insects.
  • Don’t let wet clothes or carpets remain wet and create an odor and unbearable smell. Dry those off as soon as possible. If you have washed carpets, dry those off in direct sunlight and try to open up all the windows.
  • Always keep your kitchen stuff clean. Rotten foods and dirty dishes can make your home smelly.
  • Instead of using artificial flowers in flower vases, bring fresh flowers and change the flowers of the flower vase every day.
  • Spray the shoe rack and stinky shoes using scented perfume or cleanser. Regular maintenance of the shoe rack can avoid smells coming from the racks.

Read next: Why does your house smell like fish

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I do to keep my house smelling great all day long?

Keep odor sources like garbage disposal and drains clean, then add natural scents such as fresh flowers, citrus peels, or DIY fresheners. Opening windows for fresh air and using herbs like lavender or rosemary can keep the home fresh all day.

What absorbs bad smells in a room?

Baking soda, coffee grounds, vinegar, oats, and tea leaves effectively absorb and neutralize bad odors. Placing a bowl with any of these in a room for a few hours removes stale or unpleasant smells.

Is it possible to make the garbage disposal smell good?

Yes. Grinding lemon or orange peels with ice cleans the blades, removes odor, and leaves a refreshing citrus scent.

How can I bring a warm and fresh smell to my house?

Fresh flowers, vanilla or lavender sprays, cinnamon simmer pots, or even baking cookies can fill your home with a cozy and inviting aroma.

Should I spend money on expensive fresheners?

No. A clean home with natural scents from flowers, citrus, or herbs can smell just as good as with store-bought products, without the cost or chemicals.

What’s the fastest way to freshen a room before guests arrive?

Open windows for airflow, spray a vinegar-water mist to neutralize odors, and light a scented candle or use essential oils for an instant pleasant aroma.

Can plants make my home smell fresh?

Yes. Plants like jasmine, lavender, and eucalyptus release natural fragrances while also improving air quality.

How often should I refresh my air fresheners?

Every 1–2 weeks for natural options, replacing them sooner if the scent fades or odors return.

Bottom Line

Hopefully, this guide has covered everything you need to know about making your house smell good. By keeping odor sources clean, using natural scents, and trying simple DIY hacks, you can maintain a fresh and pleasant atmosphere throughout the day. Air fresheners or air purifiers can also help, especially if you choose options that are long-lasting and chemical-free.

It’s equally important to prevent bad smells from developing in the first place. Small habits, like removing garbage daily and maintaining cleanliness in key areas, can make a big difference. With the right combination of regular cleaning and simple freshness boosters, your home can smell welcoming all the time.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cleaning Insider
Logo