How to make your house smell good naturally

To make your house smell good naturally, find and clean the source of the smell first: the trash can, the garbage disposal, the fridge, the laundry or the pet bed. Then air the house out with two open windows. Only after that add a scent, like a simmer pot of citrus peels, a jar of baking soda or a simple homemade spray.

A nice smell sprayed over a bad one lasts about as long as the spray. Clean first, then freshen.

Where do bad smells in a house usually come from?

Walk the house with your nose before you buy or mix anything. These are the usual sources, roughly in the order to check them:

• The kitchen trash can. Not the bag, the can. Drips collect at the bottom and under the rim.
• The garbage disposal and sink drain. Food film builds up under the rubber splash guard.
• The fridge. One forgotten container or a spill under the crisper drawer.
• Sponges and dish towels. A sour sponge makes the whole kitchen smell.
• The washing machine, especially front-loaders with the door kept shut.
• Pet beds, litter boxes and the spot by the door where the leash and wet shoes live.
• Kids' sports bags and cleats. Shin guards in a closed bag are their own weather system.
• Bathroom towels and bath mats that never fully dry.
• The HVAC filter, which circulates whatever it's holding.

How do you get rid of the smell, not just cover it?

• Trash can: empty it, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom, scrub with hot soapy water and a brush, rinse and let it dry fully in the sun or open air. Rub the inside with a cut lemon if you like the smell. A layer of baking soda under each new bag keeps it fresher between washes.
• Disposal: run a few ice cubes and a handful of coarse salt through it with cold water, then a few lemon peels. Scrub the underside of the rubber splash guard with an old toothbrush. Food trapped there starts to smell.
• Fridge: toss anything past its date, wipe the shelves with warm water and a little dish soap, and leave an open box of baking soda on a back shelf.
• Sponges: replace them often. Dish towels go in the wash daily if they're used for hands and spills.
• Washer: wipe the door seal, run an empty hot cycle, and leave the door open between loads.
• Fabric: wash throw pillow covers, blankets and pet bedding. Vacuum the sofa and curtains with the brush attachment.
• Sports gear: air it out of the bag as soon as it comes home. Sprinkle baking soda in cleats overnight and shake it out in the morning.

Which natural air fresheners actually work?

Once the source is clean, these add a fresh smell without much effort.

Citrus simmer pot

Fill a small saucepan two-thirds with water. Add the peels from two lemons or oranges, a cinnamon stick and a sprig of rosemary or a few whole cloves. Bring it to a simmer, then turn it to low. Add water as it cooks down. Don't leave the house with it on, and don't let it boil dry.

Baking soda jars

Fill a small jar halfway with baking soda and add 8 to 10 drops of an essential oil you like, or a few dried lavender buds. Cover the top with a scrap of breathable fabric and a rubber band. Put one in a closet or a bathroom. Shake it every week and replace the baking soda every couple of months.

Homemade room and linen spray

In a clean spray bottle, mix:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 2 tablespoons witch hazel or unflavored vodka (it helps the oil mix with the water)
• 10 to 15 drops of essential oil, such as lavender, lemon or a mix of both

Shake before each use. Mist into the air or lightly onto bedding and curtains. Test it on a hidden corner of fabric first, and keep it off finished wood furniture, where oils can leave marks.

Herb sachets for drawers and closets

Fill small cotton bags with dried lavender, rosemary and dried citrus peel. Tuck them in dresser drawers, the linen closet or a gym bag. Squeeze them now and then to wake the smell back up, and refill when they fade.

What about pets and essential oils?

Be careful. Several common essential oils can make cats sick, and some are a problem for dogs, through the air or on their fur and paws. If you have pets, ask your vet before using a diffuser or oil-based spray, and skip the oils entirely in rooms where pets sleep. The simmer pot and plain baking soda are the safer picks for pet homes.

How do you keep a house smelling fresh day to day?

• Open windows for 10 minutes most mornings, even in winter. Cross-ventilation clears stale air out of the house; a spray only sits on top of it.
• Run the bathroom fan during showers and for a while after.
• Take the kitchen trash out every night it smells, not just on trash day.
• Change the HVAC filter on schedule.
• Hang towels spread out so they dry, and wash bath mats weekly.

For the kitchen side of this, see how to maintain a clean kitchen and how to clean your kitchen sink.

What does a Standard House Cleaning cover?

On a Standard House Cleaning, RoutineCare, trash is emptied and liners are replaced with bags you supply, up to 2 to 3 bags, the kitchen sink and faucet are cleaned, the inside of the microwave is cleaned, toilets are cleaned inside, outside and at the base, and floors are vacuumed and mopped.

If the fridge is part of the problem, the inside of the refrigerator is an add-on you can pick when you book. It needs to be emptied first, and the freezer isn't included.

Standard House Cleaning can be booked one time, weekly, every other week, every 4 weeks or twice a year. See what's covered at House Cleaning.

FAQ

What is the fastest way to make a house smell good? Take out the trash, open two windows on opposite sides of the house for 10 minutes, and put a pot of water with citrus peels and a cinnamon stick on low. That clears stale air and adds a clean smell while you find the real source.

Does baking soda really absorb odors? Yes, baking soda neutralizes many acidic odors, which is why an open box helps in the fridge. Swap it every few months, and sprinkle it on carpets or the bottom of the trash can before vacuuming or rinsing.

Are essential oils safe around pets? Some aren't. Cats in particular can react badly to several common oils, and dogs can too, so ask your vet before using oils in a diffuser or spray in rooms where pets spend time.

Why does my house smell musty? Musty smells usually mean moisture: a damp basement, a slow leak under a sink, wet towels or a washer that stays closed. Fix the moisture and air the space out; a scent on top won't hold.

Book a cleaning

We clean homes across South Jersey and Central Jersey. Book online at tinascleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (609) 831-4455.