Every home, whether you’ve realised it or not, has its unique scent. Some are delightful, some, well, less so. A pleasant aroma instantly uplifts your spirit and makes you feel welcomed. Yes, that’s right, but how do you keep your home smelling nice and fresh consistently?
Thankfully, Nick Ross, a cleaning whizz at Home Spritz, has shared the secrets that will help you keep your home smelling good all the time.
1. Clean regularly
No surprises here. The key to a pleasant-smelling home isn’t masking pong with air fresheners. The first step to a pleasant-smelling home is cleaning regularly and thoroughly.
“The most important thing for a consistently pleasant-smelling home is keeping on top of the nasty whiffs,” says Nick. “And how do you keep on top of the nasty whiffs? You do so by cleaning well and often.”
“The rule of thumb is to spruce up a few times a week and do a deep clean every quarter.”
2. Add plants and flowers
Beyond brightening your home, houseplants can tackle allergens and improve air quality. Some varieties even add a touch of fragrance to your home. For example, lavender oozes a calming aroma while citrus plants like lemon balm have a refreshing scent.
“Pop a few houseplants about – they’re like natural air purifiers, reducing nasties and giving you a breather with better air quality,” suggests Nick.
“Fresh flowers and plants are a timeless and elegant way to add a touch of fragrance to any room. Pick blooms like roses, jasmine, freesia, lavender, or lilacs, and they’ll do wonders for your home fragrance.”
3. Use essential oils
Essential oils are more than just diffuser delights. They can also be used to banish nasty bin smells or whip up a homemade fabric freshener spray.
Nick fills us in on the perks of essential oils: “The beauty of essential oils is their variety. They come in a whole spectrum of scents and can be used in all sorts of ways.”
“I’m a big fan of making my own fabric fresheners with jasmine oil,” Nick says. “And it’s very easy to make. I pop 15 drops of jasmine oil and two cups of distilled water in a spray bottle (I use distilled water to avoid any nasty build-up in the spray bottle, but regular tap water works too), give it a good shake, and spritz it around curtains, and rugs.
4. Simmer a pot of fragrance
If you want to avoid harsh chemicals, a stovetop potpourri is a natural way to fill your home with a delightful aroma. The magic happens on the stovetop – a gentle simmer releases the fragrance, creating a subtle and welcoming scent that wafts through your home.
“This is about the easiest air freshener you can make, mind you I tend to whip one up in the autumn and winter months. All that simmering works a treat when the weather’s a bit chilly,” says Nick.
“Pop some water in a pan or saucepan, chuck in your favourite fragrant bits and bobs like citrus peel, herbs, spices, or even essential oils, and give it a gentle simmer.”
5. Swap scents often
Smell’s a powerful sense, but it’s not perfect. Once your nose gets used to a scent, it sort of packs up and stops noticing it.
“Ever wondered why you can’t smell your own perfume after a while? It’s the same for your home fragrances. The scent’s still there, your nose just gets a bit dim on the uptake,” explains Nick.
The trick is to keep switching up your scents every now and then to keep your home smelling consistently lovely and interesting.
