The scent is one of the first things that people notice about your home.
You know how you notice a weird smell when you get home from a vacation? That’s what your house smells like all the time to people who don’t live there. That’s because the longer you’re exposed to scents, the less you’re able to notice them. It’s called sensory adaptation, or informally, “nose-blindness.”
They say that the actual smell of clean is no smell at all. But getting your house to smell like nothing is next to impossible. Between the kids, pets, cooking, and just living everyday life, you’re bound to wind up with a mixture of different aromas. However, there are a few smart ways to mask them without resorting to artificial room freshening sprays.
1. Add essential oils to your air filter
Next time you want to make your whole house smell fresh, try putting a few drops of high-quality essential oils on your air filter. Your home’s HVAC systems will push the scent throughout the house and make everything smell great, plus essential oils are said to have natural healing properties. They’re also free from chemicals and unnatural fillers.
Lemon, lavender, and clove are just a few scents that will freshen your whole home plus provide benefits such as relaxation and cleansing qualities.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets
Regular old baking soda has natural deodorizing properties and it costs next to nothing. To keep carpets smelling fresh, especially in high traffic areas like family rooms and hallways, try sprinkling a bit of baking soda and letting it sit for at least 15 minutes. Vacuum as normal and enjoy the clean, odor-free air.
3. Make your own room freshening spray
Commercial room freshening sprays aren’t just expensive and unnecessary — they’re also made with potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try making your own with water, alcohol, and real essential oils. Spritz generously when you have company coming or when you just need a little pick-me-up for your nose.
4. Add dryer sheets to your garbage can
Trash cans get pretty stinky. Keep them from stinking up the house by adding a dryer sheet into the bottom to absorb some of the odors.
5. Decorate with eucalyptus leaves
Real eucalyptus leaves aren’t just pretty — they also emit a pleasant smell that can help to freshen up your entire house. Keep some in a vase in the bathroom for pretty and effective deodorizing where you need it most.