There’s no better remedy for a home that smells less than inviting, than a good top-to-bottom cleaning session. With this in mind, having a cleaning company come in and clean on a regular basis is the ultimate remedy to a smelly home, and if unexpected guests call in, you need never worry about having a smelly home again.
But if you only hire a cleaning company for deep cleans every one to two months, you may find that some smells linger to create a distinctly uninviting aroma, in between their visits.
To help you fix an unpleasant smelling home, here are some fantastically effective remedies:
Create your own air freshener
A lot of the air fresheners you buy in the store are crammed with chemicals, designed to overpower aromas and overwhelm the senses. For a more pleasing and effective way to combat home odors, try making your own air freshener, using scents you love. Here is a recipe you can try:
- Glass spray bottle (empty)
- Small funnel
- 3/4s of a cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, vodka, or real vanilla extract
- Up to 8 drops of your favorite essential oils
Citrus and mint combined can create a more uplifting, refreshing aroma, while eucalyptus, chamomile and lavender, work well for creating a soothing, relaxing scent. When the weather turns decidedly cooler, opt for a sage, clove and orange blend for a cozier aroma creation.
Grow house plants
Plants don’t just help add a natural burst of color to a room, but they can also purify the air. If you’re not much of a gardener, opt for plants such as Chinese evergreen, peace lily, snake plant, or bamboo palm; low maintenance growers that are hard to kill!
Display fresh or dried flowers or herbs
Fresh or dried flowers and herbs can work wonders for refreshing the aroma of a space, while creating a pleasing display to look at. Make your own arrangements from the flowers and herbs you love the most, or simply buy from your local flower store.
Jars of baking soda
Sometimes it’s necessary to eliminate a smell altogether to achieve a fresher-smelling home, and even if you hire a cleaning service once a week, all it takes is one lingering odor to make the entire home smell dirty and unclean. Fortunately, this quick and cheap solution works wonders for just this problem:
- Add a half cup of baking soda to a glass jar
- Poke holes in the lid of the jar, or, secure a thin piece of cotton over the top with a rubber band or pretty ribbon for more deodorizing power
- Place in the effected room(s)
Most smells that are unpleasant in the home are leftover from cooking certain foods (such as fish or cabbage, among many others), unclean pets, or simply an unclean home. While nobody is suggesting that you don’t cook smelly foods, or that you get rid of your pets (absolutely not!), you must take action if you want to prevent your home from smelling like an unemptied trash can, or the inside of a petting zoo! So, use the tips above, or if and when necessary, ask a cleaning company to come in on a more regular basis.
