Fruits, spices and herbs are one key to making your home smell welcoming
Any home has a smell all its own. Some of the smells are enjoyable?say, fresh and spring like?while others are not so pleasant. Many folks use commercial air freshener sprays, but they are not necessary. Save money, help the environment, and skip the chemicals.
Cleaning: Cleaning is not exactly fun, but it is the most effective approach to handling unwanted smells. Dust surfaces weekly with a damp cloth, and use natural odor removers such as white vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice. Empty the garbage frequently, keep litter boxes clean, use fans to get rid of moisture and odors, and open windows to welcome fresh air.
Homemade air freshener: Fill a spray bottle with three parts of water for every part of vodka. Mix in 10 to 20 drops of essential oils such tea tree oil, sweet almond and cinnamon. Spray as you please; vodka leaves no odor when it dries.
Do-it-yourself deodorizers: Gather a Mason jar or container such as a jar used for storing tomato sauce. You also need water, a pot, a stovetop and any of the following ingredients: fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, herbs such as rosemary, and spices such as cinnamon. Fill the pot about three-quarters of the way with water, cut the fruits, and mix in some of the spices and herbs. Bring the mixture to boiling, reduce the heat, and allow the mixture to simmer. You?ll love the vapors filling your home or office.
Coffee grounds: If you are one of the many people who love the scent of coffee, this one is for you. Take fresh coffee grounds, or allow used ones to dry out. Keep them in a bowl in the space where you want an odor gone, or place them in a coffee filter for storage in a space such as a closet.
Other options include natural soy candles, reusing old dryer sheets, and homemade potpourri. Many folks also love cinnamon-scented pumpkin candles.
