Food, pets, garbage and dust can all lead to a stale smelling home, especially in the long winter or summer months when a house is closed up for heating or cooling. If you find yourself stepping into your home only to be greeted by an offending whiff, it might be time for a scent makeover. This top 10 list will help restore a more pleasing aroma to your home in no time.
Lavender
This herb has been used for centuries for its soothing fragrance. To make your home look and smell great, buy (or grow) a couple of lavender plants. Don’t have that kind of time? Spruce up stale potpourri with lavender oil.
Rainforest
How do you bring the scent of an overgrown jungle into your home? Find rainforest scented dryer sheets and stash them under the sofa and in drawers.
Pineapple
Few fragrances scream freshness like tropical fruits. The easiest way to transition your home from smelling like “trace ‘o garbage truck” to “tropical vacation” is to remember that car fresheners aren’t just for cars. Pick up a couple of Pina Colada car fresheners and hide them in inconspicuous places.
Fresh air
Yes, sunshine does have a scent. Just think of how the kids smell when they come in from playing outside. Open the doors and windows and air out the house. Sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and vacuum up a couple hours later. Leave a couple boxes of baking soda open around the house. This is especially effective when done during the blooming season. Opening a window when the lilacs or cherry blossoms are in full bloom will leave your home smelling like grandma’s flowerbed.
Pine
Like lavender, pine is one of Mother Nature’s natural air fresheners. This aromatic makeover is achieved a couple of different ways. Cut pine or juniper boughs and turn them into wreaths or centerpieces and decorate the house with them. An easier way to do this is to give surfaces a quick rub-down with pine-scented cleaners. Now your home smells like the great outdoors, and it tricks visitors into thinking you’ve been cleaning for hours.
Up next: 5 More fresh scents for the home >>
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