Get rid of the foul smell and bring in the fresh air.
Fresh, clean and crisp — that’s how a home should smell, ideally. But maintaining the aromatic scent at home is no easy feat. From smelly shoes to pets and overnight trash, there are a lot of things that can make your home smell a little… unpleasant. And a home that is reeked of smell is definitely not a place we want to spend time in. Fortunately, the secret to a sweet-smelling home is no rocket science and sometimes all you need to do is throw open the windows and let the fresh air in. But for those of you who love scents, don’t worry as we’ve got something for you too!
Read on to find out how you can make your home smell good all day long.
1. Use scented candle
Scented candle is one of the most obvious and popular choices to perfuming your home. The right scented candle can change the entire vibe of your home. If you want to feel cosy, go for scents like vanilla and cinnamon. For places like the bedroom where people unplug and unwind, lavender will do the trick. Start by placing one in the living area. Once you’ve found the one, we recommend getting a maximum of two to avoid going overboard. Too much fragrance will overwhelm the room and make you and your guests feel sick.
Read what this cancer survivor did to improve air quality at home
2. Make potpourri
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to fragrance your home, look no further than potpourri. The mixture of dried, fragrant plants and fruits exudes a subtle natural scent that lasts a lifetime. Besides, making a potpourri mix is an easy craft too! All you need are scented flowers, fragrant wood, citrus fruits, herbs, spices and essential oil.
Here’s how to make your own potpourri:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 95 degrees Celsius.
Step 2: While waiting, you can start snipping the flowers (cut it just right below the head) and place them on a tray that’s lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: Add thin slices of citrus fruits (we’d recommend oranges) or herbs like rosemary, thyme or lavender into the mix. If you prefer to have something with a little kick, add spices like cinnamon sticks or cloves, both of which smell absolutely amazing.
Step 4: Then, mix 10 drops of essential oil and a tablespoon of water in a spray bottle, and start spritzing at the ingredients.
Step 5: Pop the potpourri into the oven and wait for at least two hours, or until the flowers are brittle (don’t let it get burnt or you’ll get the burnt smell instead).
Step 6: When it’s ready, remove the tray from the oven and spray another round of essential oil.
Step 7: Wait until it’s room temperature before gently mixing the ingredients.
Step 8: Place it in a nice ceramic bowl or in a small satchet and you’re done!
To refresh the scent, simply spritz with oil mixture and it’s as good as new.
3. Plant some flowers
There’s a reason why people are going crazy over indoor plants. Not only do they add aesthetic value to your home, but scientists have also proved that some indoor plants like aloe vera and spider plants can actually clean the air while producing alluring scents. So if you want to make your home smell nice naturally, consider planting jasmine, eucalyptus, orchids and gardenia.
4. Bake some pastries
Whether you enjoy eating pastry goods or not, there’s one thing we can all agree on. The smell emitting from the bakery shop is intoxicating. If you want your home to smell as heavenly as a bakery shop, just whip out your tools and start baking! This is especially helpful if you’re expecting guests. You can go for something simple like cookies, cinnamon rolls or banana bread — they will fill your home with a tantalising smell and also fill your guests’ tummy.
5. Invest in an air purifier
Sometimes scented candles, potpourri, indoor plants and fresh pastries just won’t do. They may be able to mask any unwelcomed scents, but they can’t fix the root of the bad smell. For this, you need to invest in an air purifier. Yes, it is expensive, but think of it as an investment for both your home and your health. An air purifier typically lasts longer and, like indoor plants, it can clean the air thus making the air you breathe healthier. Always look for an air purifier with an air filter for it will trap harmful airborne particles and release clean, fresh air into the atmosphere.