Ten "Scentsational" Ways to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh-Naturally!

Ten “Scentsational” Ways to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh—Naturally!

While there are plenty of products on the market that use powerful—and noxious—chemicals to blast unpleasant odors out of your home, natural options offer several advantages: they are easier on the environment, they are easier on your respiratory system, and they are easier on your wallet!  Below are ten simple, natural ways to keep your home smelling fresh.  Many of these suggestions involve ingredients that you are likely to have on hand already:

1. Grind the peel of a lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit in your garbage disposal to release its sweet citrus scent. As an added bonus: studies have shown that the aroma of oranges can actually reduce feelings of anxiety.

2. To neutralize unpleasant odors in the bathroom, simply light a match, allow it to burn for a few seconds, blow it out, and dispose of it safely.

3. Beeswax candles burn cleaner than ordinary candles and release a gentle honey aroma. Find them at local farmer’s markets or online.

4. A few small bowls of white vinegar strategically placed around a room will help to rid the room of unpleasant smoke smells.  Remember this tip the next time you inadvertently burn your dinner to a crisp!

5. Dab lavender essential oil on a cotton ball. Place it on a “coaster” made from the unneeded lid of a glass jar (to keep the oil from damaging furniture surfaces). Place the cotton ball out of sight in your room. A single drop of lavender is enough to scent a room for days! Other essential oil possibilities include rose and jasmine.

6. Place a pot of water on the stove, add a few drops of vanilla extract, and sprinkle in some cinnamon. Simmer gently to fool your friends and family into thinking that you’ve been baking. The scent of vanilla, like orange, has been said to reduce anxiety. 

7. Float a single gardenia blossom in a shallow bowl of water—heavenly!  Take care not to bruise the petals by over handling them.