When your home starts smelling a little stale, reaching for an air freshener might seem like the easiest fix. Sprays, plug-ins, and scented gels can mask unwanted odors for a while, but some people prefer to avoid the strong fragrances in many store-bought products.
Try a few everyday ingredients to help with lingering smells and add a light, pleasant scent to your home. Many are inexpensive, easy to find, and may already be sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
Coffee Grounds
Fresh or used coffee grounds can help absorb some unwanted odors while adding a familiar coffee scent to a small space. Place dry grounds in a small, open container near a trash can or in a pantry, and replace them regularly before they get damp or develop mold.
Related: 14 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a handy household deodorizer that can help with lingering smells in refrigerators, closets, shoes, and other small spaces. For carpets or upholstery, sprinkle a little on a hidden test area first, then follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and vacuum thoroughly if the material allows it.
Related: 11 Ingredients That Can Freshen Your Home Without Harsh Chemicals
Aromatic Plant Oils
Lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and citrus oils have distinct scents that some people enjoy using around the house. Follow the diffuser’s directions, and avoid putting oils directly on furniture or fabrics unless the manufacturer says they’re safe for that purpose.
Vodka
Plain, unflavored vodka has little lingering scent and is sometimes used in homemade fabric-refreshing sprays. If you try it, test a small, hidden area first, keep the mixture away from flames and heat, and remember that it isn’t a substitute for washing dirty fabrics.
Related: These 11 Ingredients Naturally Deodorize and Freshen Any Room in Your Home
White Vinegar
White vinegar helps clean some household surfaces and tackle lingering odors, including smells left behind after cooking. For a simple test, place a small bowl in the affected room for a short time, and never mix vinegar with bleach or other cleaning products.
Related: 14 Clever Ways to Use Vinegar in Your Garden
Fragrant Houseplants
Mint, rosemary, and lavender can bring a gentle herbal scent indoors when you brush or handle their leaves. Spider plants and snake plants add greenery to a room, though you shouldn’t rely on ordinary houseplants to do that.
Related: Air-Filtering Plants That Naturally Purify Your Indoor Air
Seasonal Simmer Pots
A simmer pot lets you fill your home with the smell of citrus, herbs, and spices using ingredients such as orange slices, lemon peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Add them to a saucepan of water and keep it at a gentle simmer while you stay nearby, checking the water level often so the pan never boils dry.
Natural Candles
Beeswax and soy candles are popular for those who prefer alternatives to conventional candles, and scented versions can add a gentle fragrance to a room. Burn candles in a well-ventilated space, keep them away from pets and flammable materials, and never leave a lit candle unattended.
Lemon Peels
Leftover lemon peels have a bright citrus scent and can be added to a small bowl in the kitchen for a short-lived fragrance. You can also put a few small pieces into a garbage disposal with cold running water, provided the disposal’s instructions allow it, but avoid adding large quantities that could cause a blockage.
Related: How to Fix a Clogged Garbage Disposal
Fresh Herbs and Spices
Basil, rosemary, thyme, and mint release pleasant aromas, especially when kept in pots near a sunny window or gently handled while cooking. You can also add dried cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise to simmer pots for a warm, spicy scent.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract has a warm, sweet aroma that works nicely in a kitchen or living area. For a light scent, add a little to a bowl of warm water and place it somewhere safe, rather than spraying it directly onto furniture or fabrics.
