This post may contain affiliate links.
Many households rely on air fresheners in various forms—sprays, oils, gels, diffusers, and plug-ins—to keep rooms smelling fresh. Unfortunately, many of these products contain harmful chemicals that can pose health risks. Instead of reaching for these synthetic options, why not try natural alternatives?
Natural fresheners will give you more control over what’s in the air, creating a healthier, eco-friendly environment. Natural deodorizers are an excellent way to refresh your space while being kind to both your home and the planet. Here are eight ingredients to naturally deodorize and freshen any room in your home.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee lovers rejoice—your daily brew can do more than just wake you up! Coffee grounds are a great natural deodorizer.
To tackle strong odors, place bowls of freshly ground coffee around a smelly room and position them strategically, like near vents or airflow sources. The coffee aroma will help neutralize and block out unpleasant smells.
14 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the best natural odor absorbers. You can sprinkle it on carpets or upholstered furniture, let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight, and then vacuum it up to remove odors.
You can also use it to deodorize your refrigerator, closets, laundry, and even shoes by placing a box of baking soda in the area or directly applying it to absorb and neutralize unwanted smells.
19 Clever Ways You Can Transform Your Entire House With Baking Soda
Essential Oils
Essential oils are excellent for naturally freshening your home. A few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball can help eliminate odors from trash cans or small spaces. With a variety of scents to choose from—like lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, or peppermint—essential oils offer a natural, customizable way to keep your living spaces smelling great.
Vodka
Vodka may be better known for cocktails, but it also works wonders as a natural, unscented air freshener. Make a vodka spray with water and use it to mist the air in any room. Vodka helps reduce musty or stale odors without leaving behind a noticeable scent.
7 Ways to Deodorize and Clean a Smelly Carpet
Vinegar
Vinegar is a powerful, all-natural deodorizer that can neutralize tough odors in bathrooms and kitchens. It eliminates all kinds of odors, from smoke smells to mattress smells.
14 Clever Ways to Use Vinegar in Your Garden
Fragrant House Plants
Fragrant houseplants are a natural way to keep your home smelling fresh and inviting. Plants like spider plant, snake plant, mint plant, and rosemary release lovely scents and help purify the air. Placing a few aromatic plants around your home can create a relaxing, naturally fragrant environment year-round.
12 Air Purifying Plants for Cleaner Indoor Air
Seasonal Simmer Pots
A simmer pot is a wonderful way to fill your home with a cozy, long-lasting scent, especially in colder months. To create a simmer pot air freshener, simply combine ingredients like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and citrus slices with water, and let them simmer on the stove. The aroma will naturally spread throughout your home, eliminating unwanted odors and adding warmth to the atmosphere.
Natural Candles
Natural candles add a welcoming glow to your home and help reduce odors. Opt for candles made from natural waxes like beeswax and scented with essential oils.
Lemon Peel
Lemon peel is a simple and natural way to freshen your kitchen, especially when dealing with odors in the garbage disposal. By grinding up lemon peel while running hot water through the disposal, you can eliminate unpleasant smells and leave your kitchen with a bright, citrusy scent.
How to Fix a Clogged Garbage Disposal
Spices
Growing your own herbs and spices, like basil, lavender, and thyme, provides fresh cooking ingredients and naturally keeps your home smelling amazing. These fragrant plants release subtle aromas that help neutralize odors and refresh your space.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is more than just a baking ingredient; it can also be used as a natural air freshener. Soaking a cotton ball in vanilla extract and placing it in a small dish around your home releases a warm, comforting fragrance. The sweet, subtle scent of vanilla is perfect for living areas, bedrooms, or any space with a touch of warmth.
How to Start a Herb Garden from Scratch
Growing something as simple as our own herbs is a huge step towards sustainability. You can begin the process in a small space in the kitchen or backyard with some of your favorite herbs. Here are some simple but practical steps to get you started on your own herb garden.
How to Start a Herb Garden from Scratch
9 All-Natural Cleaning Products You Can Make at Home
Commercial cleaners are often filled with harsh chemicals and mysterious ingredients. By making your own all-natural cleaner at home, you can rely on safe, eco-friendly ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Check out these easy homemade recipes for window cleaner, laundry detergent, and so much more.
