Every home has its unique scent, but sometimes our spaces need a little help to smell inviting and fresh. From lingering food aromas to pet odors, everyday activities can leave behind unwanted scents. Creating a welcoming fragrance in your home involves a thoughtful approach, layering pleasant smells and removing unwanted odors. With these expert tips, you can make your house smell incredible while adding a personal touch to its fragrance profile.
1. Try a Stovetop Scent for a Warm Welcome
One of the simplest ways to fill your home with a fresh aroma is to simmer ingredients on the stove. Marla Mock of Molly Maid suggests using citrus slices and herbs like basil or mint for a bright, clean scent, while Rebecca Gardner of Houses & Parties recommends spices like cloves and cinnamon for a cozy fall atmosphere. With just a few items from your pantry, you can create a delightful, seasonal fragrance that envelops your entire kitchen.
2. Use Candles at the Right Times
Candles bring warmth and fragrance to your home, but timing is essential. Rebecca Gardner advises saving scented candles for quieter days at home, like rainy days or closet-cleaning sessions. When you’re cooking, let the aroma from the kitchen take center stage, creating a natural, inviting scent for guests. This mindful approach enhances each scent’s impact without overwhelming the space.
3. Refresh Your Garbage Disposal with Lemon
Garbage disposals can harbor unpleasant smells, but there’s a quick fix. Mock suggests running a cut lemon through the disposal while cold water runs to neutralize odors and leave your kitchen smelling fresh. This simple trick cleans out food particles and introduces a pleasant citrus aroma throughout the kitchen.
4. Make a Pet-Friendly Fabric Spray
Pet odors can linger unnoticed by homeowners but might stand out to guests. Mock recommends an easy homemade spray: mix a tablespoon of baking soda with 30 drops of wild orange essential oil, then add two cups of distilled water in a spray bottle. Spritz fabrics or the air to combat pet smells. Additionally, relocating pet food dishes to a lesser-used space can prevent those scents from becoming too prominent.
5. Choose Subtle Room Sprays
If you want a consistent scent in your home, select room sprays with subtle fragrances like citrus or lavender. Shaolin Low, of Studio Shaolin, notes that your home’s scent is a blend of many everyday smells, so overpowering sprays aren’t ideal. Opt for mild sprays that complement rather than compete with other scents in your home.
6. Layer Fragrances for a Unique Home Scent
Creating a custom scent doesn’t require a fragrance studio; try layering different fragrances throughout your home. Infuse homemade bath salts with essential oils, place lavender sachets in drawers, or burn a mix of candles with complementary scents. Personalizing each area of your home with distinct yet harmonious scents adds character and comfort to your space.
7. Use Fresh or Dried Florals for Natural Aromas
Flowers bring natural fragrance into your home in a gentle, elegant way. Place fresh bouquets of roses or gardenias in rooms, and consider hanging eucalyptus in the shower for an aromatic spa effect. Dried flowers also work wonders—Low suggests spritzing dried arrangements to extend their scent for a few days, adding subtle fragrance without artificial sprays.
8. Embrace Fresh Air for an Instant Refresh
Sometimes, all your home needs is a burst of fresh air. Open windows to create a cross breeze, allowing stale air and lingering odors to dissipate. Hanging laundry outdoors also brings in a natural, clean scent. Fresh air is the perfect base for any additional scents, whether it’s from a candle, flowers, or a stovetop simmer.