You know that feeling when you walk into someone’s home, and it smells amazing? Like fresh-baked cookies or a bouquet? You want your place to smell like that too. The good news is you don’t need to use artificial fragrances or candles to make your home smell naturally fresh and inviting.
There are simple, DIY ways to fill your space with beautiful scents without the chemicals. In this article, we’ll explore some of the natural ways to make your home smell good using things you already have in your kitchen or garden.
Prepare to impress your guests and enjoy your little aromatherapy heaven at home. The power of scent is real, so let’s get started!
1. Use Essential Oils and Diffusers
Essential oil diffusers are an excellent way to fill your home with natural fragrance. Diffusers work by breaking down essential oils into tiny particles that are dispersed into the air.
You can find diffusers in various styles, from ultrasonic models that use water to heat diffusers.
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ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser, Aromatherapy Cool Mist Home Humidifier with 7 LED Color Changing Light and Auto-Off Safety Switch, 8 Essential Oils Set, 300ml (X-Brown with Oils)
Some essential oils that work well in diffusers and leave your home smelling fresh and inviting include:
- Lavender: A calming, floral scent that helps relieve stress and anxiety.
- Lemongrass: Refreshing citrus aroma that acts as a natural insect repellent.
- Peppermint: Cool, crisp scent that improves alertness and concentration.
- Frankincense: Earthy, spicy aroma that has a grounding, uplifting effect.
- Bergamot: A bright, tangy citrus scent that boosts mood and fights depression.
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Essential Oils Set of 8 (80ml), 100% Organic Essential Oil, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus Scented Oil, Essential Oils for Diffusers for Home
Essential oils are natural fragrance plant extracts that can make your home smell amazing. An essential oil diffuser is one of the easiest ways to fill your space with these lovely scents.
You have lots of options for essential oil diffusers. Electric diffusers that use ultrasonic vibrations to disperse the oils into the air are very popular. They come in a variety of styles, from wood grain to ceramic or go simple with reed diffusers, where the oils are absorbed into sticks that slowly release the fragrance.
Once you have a diffuser, pick your favorite essential oils or oil blends. Citrus oils like lemon, grapefruit, or bergamot give a bright, uplifting aroma. For relaxation, try lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood. Woodsy scents like pine, cedar, and juniper create a cozy feel. You can also make your custom blends.
Start with 3-5 drops of your chosen oil in the diffuser. Run it for 30-60 minutes, then see how strong the fragrance is. Add more oil to intensify the scent, or run the diffuser longer. It’s best to run your diffuser intermittently instead of constantly to avoid overpowering the space.
Essential oil diffusers are a simple, natural way to keep your home smelling fresh and inviting. Experiment with different oils and find the perfect fragrance for your space. Your nose will thank you!
Read Also: How To Use Essential Oils For Home Fragrance
2. Light Natural Candles
Lighting natural candles is one of the easiest ways to make your home smell amazing. Not only do candles naturally freshen the air, but they can also help set the mood and ambiance of a room.
Look for 100% beeswax or soy candles. These natural wax candles burn cleaner than paraffin wax candles and are non-toxic.
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The Beeswax Co Pillar Beeswax Candle – Natural Honey Scented – Long-Lasting & Eco-Friendly – Cotton Wick – Slow Burning – Hand Poured Pure Organic Bees Wax – Medium
Some great essential oil scents for natural home fragrances include:
- Lavender – Calming and soothing. Great for bedrooms and living rooms.
- Lemongrass – Uplifting citrus scent. Excellent in kitchens and entryways.
- Peppermint – Fresh, crisp aroma. Perfect for bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Cinnamon – Warm, spicy fragrance. Cozy for living rooms and dens.
Be sure to trim your wicks to 1⁄4 inch before lighting for the best burn and to prevent excess smoke. Place candles on a heatproof surface away from drafts and flammable objects. Never leave burning candles unattended.
You can also make your natural candles at home. All you need is wax, wicks, essential oils, and containers. Soy wax and beeswax can be found at most craft stores. Melt the wax, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, pour into containers, and place a wick in the center. Homemade natural candles make great gifts too!
In addition to freshening the air, natural candles can naturally repel insects like mosquitoes when made with citronella oil. They are a safe, eco-friendly alternative to commercial air fresheners and bug sprays loaded with harsh chemicals. Your home will smell naturally clean and inviting in no time with the warm glow of natural candles.
3. Simmer Spices on the Stove
Simmering spices on the stove is an easy way to naturally fragrance your home. The heat helps to activate the essential oils in the spices, releasing their aroma into the air.
Cinnamon sticks are always a favorite for simmering. Add 2-3 cinnamon sticks to a pot with a few cups of water. You can also add orange peels for a citrusy kick. Simmer for at least 30 minutes until your home is filled with the scent of cinnamon. Replace the water every few days to keep the aroma strong.
Whole Cloves
Whole cloves have an instantly recognizable spicy, warm scent. Add 10-15 whole cloves to a pot with water and simmer. The aroma of cloves can be strong, so you may only need to steam them for 15-20 minutes. You can combine cloves with cinnamon sticks, orange peels, or vanilla beans for a custom spice blend.
Vanilla Beans
For a sweet, comforting aroma, split 2-3 vanilla beans lengthwise and add them to a pot with water. Simmer for at least an hour until the scent of vanilla permeates your space. Vanilla beans can be reused for up to a month – replace the water every 3-4 days. You can also scrape the seeds from the beans into the pot for an even stronger vanilla fragrance.
If you don’t have vanilla beans, you can use a pure vanilla essential oils for diffusers.
P&J Fragrance Oil | Vanilla Bean Oil 100ml – Candle Scents for Candle Making, Freshie Scents, Soap Making Supplies, Diffuser Oil Scents
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves have a herbal, slightly spicy aroma. Add 5-10 bay leaves to a pot with water and simmer for at least an hour. Bay leaves can continue releasing their scent for up to a week, so you only need to replace the water every few days. For extra fragrance, you can also bruise the bay leaves before adding them to the pot to help release their essential oils.
Ginger, Nutmeg, and Allspice
For an autumn-inspired aroma, combine ginger, nutmeg, and allspice berries. Use a grated 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, 5-6 whole nutmegs, and 10-15 allspice berries. Simmer for at least an hour until your home smells like fall. The aroma from these spices can last up to a week – replace the water every couple of days.
Simmering spices is an easy, natural way to make your home smell amazing. Experiment with different herbs and spice blends to create custom seasonal fragrances. Your home will smell naturally delicious and inviting.
4. Keep Plants That Release Fragrance
Houseplants
Living plants in your home is one of the easiest ways to naturally fragrance your space. Many common houseplants release pleasant aromas through their leaves and flowers. As a bonus, houseplants also help purify the air in your home by absorbing toxins.
- Jasmine plant: The delicate white flowers of jasmine release an intoxicating sweet scent. Place a jasmine plant near an entryway or your bedroom for an uplifting floral aroma.
- Lavender: Lavender plants are ideal for scenting your home. Brush against the purple flowers to release the calming lavender essential oil. You can also dry the flowers to make lavender sachets and potpourri.
- Rosemary: The piney, herbaceous scent of rosemary is perfect for kitchens and dining areas. Rosemary also helps repel insects, and the essential oil has antioxidant properties. Run your fingers along the needle-like leaves to release the aroma.
- Mint: There are many varieties of mint, including peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate mint. All have refreshing, uplifting scents when the leaves are rubbed or crushed. Mint also makes a beautiful natural air freshener and pest repellent.
- Citrus trees: Small citrus trees like lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit release a bright, tangy scent from their leaves and blossoms. Place a citrus tree in a sunny spot and enjoy the freshness.
Live plants, essential oil diffusers, and natural elements like dried flowers, citrus peels, and fresh herbs are simple ways to fragrance your home without artificial air fresheners. Your home will smell fresh, vibrant, and naturally inviting.
5. Ventilate and Circulate the Air
Ventilating and circulating the air in your home is one of the best ways to freshen up the smell naturally. Stale, stagnant air is a breeding ground for musty odors, so moving the air will make a big difference.
Open the Windows
When the weather permits, open your windows to let fresh and stale air out. Make it a habit to open windows for at least a few minutes each day, especially after activities like cooking or cleaning that can leave lingering smells. You’ll be amazed at how much fresher your place will smell.
Use Exhaust Fans
Run exhaust fans, like those in your kitchen and bathrooms, to vent odors outside. Turn on the bathroom fan while showering or for at least 20 minutes to remove excess moisture that leads to musty smells. Use your stove vent fan while cooking and for a few minutes after to clear the air.
Circulate the Air
Use fans to keep air circulating inside your home. Run ceiling fans or portable fans to move air around, especially in areas where odors build up, like the kitchen, bathrooms, or pet areas. Keeping air flowing will prevent stagnation and distribute fresher air to replace odorous pockets.
Bonus Tip - Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural odor absorber. Place open containers of baking soda in areas where smells tend to linger, like the refrigerator, closets, basements, or pet areas. The baking soda will help absorb and eliminate odors in the air. Replace the baking soda every 30 days or so to keep it effective.
You can keep the place smelling fresh and pleasant without artificial air fresheners or fragrances by ventilating, circulating the air, and using natural odor eliminators in your home. If you use these tips every time you clean, you’ll notice a change in the quality of the air in your home.
Final Thoughts about Natural Ways to Make your Home Smell Good
Natural scents are the way to go!
When making your home smell good naturally, essential oils and natural scents are the way to go. Synthetic air fresheners may smell good at first, but they’re full of harsh chemicals that can irritate and pollute your home’s air. Essential oils and natural scents don’t leave behind toxic fumes or residues.
Diffuse Essential Oils
An essential oil diffuser is one of the easiest ways to naturally fragrance your home. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil like lavender, lemon, or bergamot, and place the diffuser in a central location. The diffuser will disperse the essential oil molecules into the air, leaving your home smelling fresh and natural.
You can also try simmering cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, or citrus peels on the stove to scent your home naturally.
Light Scented Candles
Scented candles from natural wax, essential oils, or natural fragrances are another great option. Beeswax and soy candles burn cleaner than paraffin wax candles. Look for candles scented with essential oils like lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus. Or try unscented candles and add a few drops of essential oil to the wax. Burn the candles for a few hours to natural fragrance your home.
Natural Potpourri
Create your natural potpourri by combining dried citrus peels, rose petals, lavender buds, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves. Add a few drops of essential oil and place the potpourri in a decorative bowl. Stir the potpourri every few days to release the fragrance. You can also try simmering the potpourri on the stove with water to fill your home with a natural aroma. Replace the potpourri every few months to keep it fresh.
Open the Windows
Opening the windows is one of the simplest ways to freshen and scent your home naturally. Letting in the fresh air will naturally ventilate your home and prevent the buildup of pollutants that can cause odors.
You can also place bowls of potpourri, citrus peels, or essential oil diffusers near open windows to the natural scent of the fresh air blowing into your home. Opening the windows even for 15 or 20 minutes daily can make a big difference in your home’s air quality and smell.
In summary, using essential oils, natural scents, and ventilation are the best ways to naturally make your home smell fresh and clean without exposing yourself to harsh chemicals. Try different methods to find what works best for naturally scenting your space. Your home and your health will thank you!