Herbs like rosemary, mint, lavender, and basil have lovely fragrances that are fresh—not overwhelming. Consider having a tiny herb garden in a window, or even an herbal wreath for a subtle boost of fragrance.
``If you want your home to feel clean, look for a fragrance that contains citrus. If you want to feel relaxed and calm, look for fragrances with lavender, aloe, and white tea and, if you want your home to feel warm and cozy, look for fragrances with amber and vanilla.''
'Another trick I always do is put a little bit of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and drop those balls in the trash,' explains Nick Hedberg, real estate agent and CEO of As-Is Home Buyer. 'Not only does it keep insects away, but peppermint oil also absorbs foul-smelling odors.
Deep cleaning often helps your house smell good by removing the things that cause odors—like taking out the trash, washing dirty laundry, and changing the linens. Cleaning products may also bring a temporary fresh smell into the house.
First, open all windows and doors to let as much fresh air inside as possible. Clean or replace all air filters, furnace filters, and AC filters. Clean walls and ceilings using products with ammonia and glycol — two ingredients that neutralize bad odors. Let the walls dry and check if the odor persists.
'A DIY air freshener is one of the best ways to use laundry detergent to make your home smell good,' Vanessa says. This trick could not be easier. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and a spoonful of detergent like this one from Target. Shake and spray.
Better than any spray, oil, or candle I have ever bought. The simplest method, and my go-to, is to grab a small saucepan, fill it with water, and toss in a few cinnamon sticks (or a few vigorous shakes of ground cinnamon). Turn the burner on low and let it hang for a bit. To make sure I don't burn the apartment down.
You could start with the most popular diffuser scents, find something that really speaks to you, and then layer over it with a complimentary scent in a candle. We talk more about layering in our guide to layering fragrances. You may also consider changing your home's scent based on the seasons.
She uses plug-in ScentWave systems that dispense the aroma of cookies, which are a popular choice with builders. “When prospective buyers smell that,” she says, “it creates that moment of walking into a home where you're baking cookies instead of walking into a house.”
Add about 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine. Lemon and lavender are great choices, but eucalyptus is my favorite because of the refreshing scent. Pour the baking soda and essential oil mix into the water and stir. Then funnel the water into your spray bottle.
Use Fresh Flowers and Other Natural Scents
The easiest way to give your home a subtle yet luxe fragrance may be just to go back to the basics—a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a bowl of tangerines or oranges, or fragrant herb plants, says Malka Helft, founder of Think Chic Interiors.
Open windows to improve airflow and minimize odor buildup in your loved one's home or care facility. You can also use a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) air purifier to improve the indoor air quality. Prepare meals that have less garlic and certain spices, such as cumin or curry, for your loved one.
HVAC scent diffusers integrate directly with a hotel's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC systems) to distribute scents uniformly across extensive areas. These systems can efficiently blanket large spaces with a signature fragrance, creating a cohesive scent experience.
Use air fresheners, burn a scented candle, open the windows, sprinkle baking soda on carpets, set out a bowl of vinegar, or clean with scented cleansers. Why does my house smell bad? Bacteria and mold cause foul-smelling odors.
Introduce Fresh & Clean Scents
Once you have a fresh olfactory slate to work with, there are some tried-and-true scents to use for helping to sell a house. Smells that convey cleanliness: Opt for fresh, crisp scents like citrus or linen.
Using Fabric Softener:
Fabric softeners are specially designed to add a soft, pleasant scent to your clothes while reducing static and making them feel cozy. Simply add fabric softener to your laundry during the rinse cycle and let it work its magic.
A weird smell in a house can come from numerous sources, including appliances, furniture, carpets, fabrics or issues like mold or mildew. Occasionally, odors may be caused by sewer gas, natural gas leaks or animals that have died between walls, in attics or under decks.
Housekeepers have several methods to make homes smell good, depending on personal preference and the type of cleaning required. These methods range from using natural scents such as essential oils and herbs to more commercial options like air fresheners and cleaning products with added fragrances.
There are plenty of things you probably already have in your home that can naturally clear odors from the air. Some of the best odor eliminators are coffee grounds, tea, vinegar, oats, and baking soda.