There’s nothing quite like coming home and taking a deep breath of rancid air. Regardless of where that scent is coming from, these 11 hacks will help you tackle that stink and prevent any home stench from making its way into your nostrils again.
1. Dryer sheets
Nope, your dryer sheets aren’t just for laundry anymore. Stuff a few dryer sheets in linen drawers and closets, in air vents or to clean your baseboards for a fresh, clean scent.
2. Baking soda
There are many times that your home can have a rancid smell due to other factors in the home, such as a stale disposal, toilet smells or pet odors. Eliminate these problems by making your own all-natural cleaner that will leave your home both clean and crisp.
More:20 unexpected ways to use vinegar around the house
3. Vanilla extract
Not only is vanilla extract a sweet baking ingredient, it makes for an excellent aroma in your home. Dab a bit of vanilla on a light bulb to give off a sweet odor or cook two teaspoons in the oven for 20 minutes for an instant upgrade in smell.
4. DIY candles
Everyday food items make for wonderful scented candles using oranges, lemon and beeswax, coffee beans, cinnamon and so much more. Place them strategically in heavy traffic areas or rooms more prone to odor such as the bathroom, kitchen or teen bedrooms.
More:How to make your own scented candles
5. Simmer pots
Similar to DIY candles, simmer pots use foods and spices to create a nice aroma for your home. Choose from a variety of recipes to change up the scent and feel of your home or stick to basic boiling of cinnamon, roses or other everyday home items.
6. Potpourri
Grandma was on to something when she placed bowls of potpourri all throughout her home. A simple perfumed scent that can appeal to even the most sensitive of noses, potpourri is easy to DIY or buy at your local home goods store.
7. Fresh plants
An uncomplicated option for getting your home free of odor is to purchase a few fresh indoor plants. Lavender, honeysuckle, mint and Plumeria are all fragrant options that can create a spring fresh aroma in your space, or choose an air-purifying variety for all-natural odor removal.
8. Fabric softener
Don’t limit your fabric softener to the laundry room. Get that just washed scent throughout your house by adding one capful of softener to two capfuls of water, simmer and enjoy. Dilute with another capful or two of water in a spray bottle for a fresh room spray, or place inside a wax warmer to spread the aroma around.
9. Essential oils
The options of how you can utilize essential oils to influence the smell of your home are endless. Outside of using a diffuser, you can pop a few drops on air filters, on a cotton ball and place in corners of rooms or use to wipe down air vents, add to water to spray on furniture, pillows and more.
More:21 Essential oils with health benefits therapists swear by
10. DIY scent pods
Whether they’re for a wax warmer or to refresh a toilet or sink, scent pods are a wonderful alternative. Made using leftover candles or everyday household items, a scent pod makes it effortless to getting your home to smell just the way you like it.
11. Get busy
The easiest and perhaps most enjoyable way to making your home smell delightful is to whip up a batch of cookies, throw on a pot of coffee, or simply open a few windows to let the fresh air in. Although not a permanent fix, there’s nothing quite like a nostalgic smell to bring your mind and nose back to bliss.
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