Getting the House to Smell Fresh and Clean?????

I hate those fake smelly things--they give me a headache. I buy essential oils at the health food store and put a couple drops in a sink of hot water and that makes the house smell good for the day (I like peppermint oil). I like to boil cinnamon in the winter as well.

For vacuuming, I sprinkle the carpet lightly with baking soda and lavender or buds or peppermint leaves (I ordered in bulk from San Francisco Herb Co), let sit for 20-30 minutes, then vacuum. The baking soda absorbs odors and the heat from vacuuming helps release the essentials from the lavender or mint. I use an old spice shaker, which I filled w/ the baking soda and a couple table spoons (total) of herbs.

I also have done the pot of water with cinnamon or a little vanilla, or other variation (cloves, nutmeg, etc.).

We have 2 dogs, and I try to bathe them about every other week and their beds about 1x per week, with an occasional sprinkle of baking soda instead the cover of their bed.

I love the hazelnut cream candles they have at walmart. Also if you have wood cabinets in the kitchen if you wipe them down with lemon or orange oil that fragrance last awhile and smells really good.
I use the plug in things around the house as well and I like them but they are expensive.
I agree with putting dryer sheets in places and I even use them to dust the tv and windows sills with as well.
Also, a bowl full of amonia or vinegar set up high (like on top of the fridge) also attracts aromas and cures the ph of the rooms air. I've used the lemon scented amonia.
You can always spritz some pinesol (I use the orange) here and there around different rooms too.
Also you can simmer apples, oranges, brown sugar and cinnamon on your stove to make that wonderfully appealing aroma... just don't go off and forget about it because it will dry out and then you have the burned smell and a scorched pan to deal with (been there done that more times than I'd like to share).

I really don't like to use a lot of scented candles, air fresheners, beads, etc. as they are linked to allergy, asthma, etc.

I think if your house is clean, then that's a good smell.

If you want to try candles, try some soy candles.

You can boil a small pot of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves on the stove for a bit.
Or bake a loaf of bread or a pie.....yummmmmmmy!

I hate room sprays. They always smell so fake to me!
I loved Mimi's idea of cinnamon and water on the stove. I have done that too and it smells wonderful!
I clean using grapefruit or lemon essential oils so my house always smells fresh!

oooohh you know what works really good is to get a sponge and put just a dab of liquid fabric softener. I like to use Suavitel, but any will work good. Anyway, put just a dab and add some water and after you clean your counters, just run that sponge over them and let them dry. You can also do it to your stove, fridge, microwave etc. I lived in Mexico for several years which is where I learned this little trick. It works so great!!

I have a trick that i do :) After i am done cleaning, i hide a couple of fabric softener sheets. One under the couch cushions, i also hang one off of the kids ceiling fan and let it run for a while.....i have a few sneaky places...lol!

My husband says if you will buy air freshener spray and spray it every day in the house, like just before your leave for work in the morning, it will do that.

However, neither of can remember to spray it every day!

I wipe the front door frame with pine-sol. It smell so good when I come home. Of course I like the smell of pine. I found a candle, I think Febreeze, that scented the whole (small) house with pine last Christmas. No other candle I used put off scent more than a foot from the candle.

Baking soda and vinegar both remove odors.
You can shake up some baking soda and essential oils to make your own carpet powder. This usually lasts a couple days.
Our dollar store has two packs of the gel air freshener cone thingies. I know some people can't stand them, but I like them in problem areas like the cat box.
You can make your own Febreeze with water, vinegar and liquid fabric softener.
If you manage to remove any bad odors it just takes a little effort to spruce the smell up, a spritz of Febreeze or dusting spray. I think the smell of Pledge is what makes the house smell clean, that lemon or citrus smell is nice. Maybe add orange slices to your simmering cinnamon.
I know it's old fashioned, but I really like the subtlety of potpourri, if you get essential oils it's easy to refresh the smell.
A lot of people use the Scentsy products and I really like them. They smell SO good.

Hi, now is the best time of year to open your windows and clean the house while they are open. I dust with pledge - lemon scent - love it! I did not want to seem as though I am soliciting on this site but I do sell Scentsy. Check out my website at www.scentsy.com/myscents2love No wicks. No soot. Safe for kids and pets... Good for people with asthma and allergies. You will love the scents!!! Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!

p.s. love the fab soft. sheet idea too

I haven't tried it myself yet but I've heard only good things about the all natural cleaner here: http://www.cjsewingroom.com/ You can pick your own scent and everything. I can't give personal experience but she has a facebook fan page if you want to hear what people have been saying about it.

I discovered the FilterFresh scented filter pads from WEB at Home Depot a few weeks ago. Our 950 sq ft apartment always had a weird smell. These pads go on your filter & has a scented gel on it. When your air runs, the scent is spread throughout the house/apartment. I LOVE it!! It works so well and all I had to do was put it there! lol I think it's been in there for a month & it's still working!

It was $3 at Home Depot and they had several fragrances.

My house probably smells like garlic, dog, and teenager's sneakers!
Ah, home is Heaven's Scent!

baking soda hidden around the house

Have you ever heard of SCENTY WICKLESS CANDLES. Warmers and plug in's are available and much more. It is one way to have your home smell good. Go to www.wicklessjust for you.com and check it out.

I always kept a boiler of water and cinnamon on my wood stove in the winter. I also open my windows occasionally to air the place out. Baking and cooking are always a way to keep the house smelling good. I'm not crazy about candles either but if you do use them look for those without lead. Zinc wicks and paper wicks are best. Removing toxins, like cleaning supplies, will help too.

Regards,

M.

I do the dryer sheet thing in my house and car. I am obsessed with that smell. haha Also, I know this is SUPER random but, Palm Beach Tan sells candles in their stores. I don't know the actual brand of them but they sell a different scent or 2 every season. They are by far the most long lasting, and strong candles I have found. They're great!

Uggghhhh, don't do the candles or fake scents. That always makes me think that the house is dirty and has to be covered up. I find that the best thing is to clean the house and air it out. Open windows on a nice day and get the air flowing. Also, if there is something special, bake. Nothing smells better than a house that is being used.

You have been given lots of good suggestions. Baking soda and vinegar are excellent to remove odors. As far as giving your house a scent you want. Scentsy hands down. There are knock offs at places like Walgreens and Walmart but the wax smells cheap and has fake scent. The Scentsy wax is more realistic smelling. The warmer works via lightbulb so there is no mess with flames. They are safe to leave on 24/7. Nothing quite as good as walking into a house that smells clean. I see you already have a rep that gave you info so I won't leave mine. There are days when I have my warmer on but have my windows open too and I can smell the scent while I'm standing in the street.