5 Tips to Keep a Fresh-Smelling Home

“Your home should be a place where you can feel comfortable and relax, but this can be difficult if you have bad odors lingering,” says Zoe Warren, interior design expert at PriceYourJob.co.uk. “Even if you become ‘nose blind’ to these odors, they will often indicate that something is wrong and that bacteria is present, so they will need addressing promptly.” 

Here are five tips from Warren on how to assess and deal with home odors. 

1. Address the Source of Odor 

“Before you can deal with any bad odor that may be infiltrating your home, you will need to identify and address the source,” Warren says. “Common sources of unpleasant odors include kitchen bins, refrigerators and drains.” 

She recommends keeping kitchen garbage bins clean and regularly emptying them to avoid smelly decomposition of trash and bacteria growth. Leftovers in the fridge can also be a source of foul odors and harmful bacteria, and she suggests cleaning the fridge out at least once a month, wiping down the inside and disposing of old food. 

Additionally, kitchen and bathroom sinks can be smelly if not properly maintained. If homeowners suspect odors emanating from their sinks, Warren recommends using a drain-unblocking product or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. 

2. Deep Clean Regularly 

“Keeping your home smelling fresh is not only about masking bad odors but also eliminating them,” she notes. “Regularly giving your home a deep clean, including all of those hard-to-reach areas, reduces not only bad odors but also clutter and pollutants that can trigger certain allergies.” 

She recommends beginning by decluttering each area of the home, then dusting surfaces, cleaning appliances, mopping hard floors, cleaning windows, etc. Cleaning products scented like cotton, pine and lemon can help freshen things. 

3. Control Moisture and Ventilation 

“Moisture can create an uncomfortable environment in your home and impact not only your possessions but, more importantly, your health,” Warren says. “Overly humid air can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can lead to bad odors and health risks.” 

She tells homeowners to use dehumidifiers or simply open windows to let in fresh air when their homes are especially humid. This helps eliminate odors, stuffiness and risk of mold. 

4. Use Scented Products 

“Masking odors is not the solution, but incorporating scented candles, sprays, incense and plug-ins can really elevate your home fragrance to the next level,” Warren notes. 

However, she recommends sticking to products with the same or complementary scents to avoid being stifled by too many different smells.  

5. Simmer Fruit and Herbs 

“Aside from using artificial scents, you can make your home smell great in a natural way by using items you would normally associate with cooking to create a potpourri,” Warren adds. “Fill a pot with water and mix in your favorite herbs, adding items such as citrus slices, cinnamon, lavender or mint for scent. Boil the water and allow the herbs to simmer, and the beautiful scent will soon flow throughout your home.”