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How to Make Your House Smell Better

Every home has its own scent — good or bad — and having a home that smells good can be welcoming and cozy.

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Why Does My House Smell Bad?

First, you need to rule out the really bad smells. Sewage, sulfur and gas odors need to be addressed ASAP by a professional. These signal that there’s something wrong with your pipes, drains or gas lines.

While some house odors have an easy-to-track-down source (such as your furry friends’ dirty litter boxes, overflowing garbage or a bag of burned popcorn in the microwave), others seemingly come from nowhere. Musty or damp smells could be from mold and mildew. Stale odors can be the result of stagnant air, dust and humidity. Bad smells can come in from the outside, too. If you live in an industrial area or a farming community, icky scents can infiltrate your home.

Volatile organic compounds are the culprit for many unknown home odors. Volatile organic compounds are gasses that certain solids and liquids give off. The off-gassing of some products — like paint, adhesives and cleaning supplies — can be pretty obvious. But a variety of products can release organic compounds when you use them, and even in storage. Here’s a short list:

  • Building materials
  • Furniture
  • Copiers and printers
  • Paint
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Aerosol sprays
  • Solvents
  • Adhesives
  • Air fresheners
  • Cosmetic products
  • Dry-cleaned clothes

But volatile organic compounds aren’t just stinky. Some can be chemicals (like benzene and formaldehyde) that are harmful to your health and impact indoor air quality.

10 Ways to Get Your Home Smelling Good

Let in Fresh Air

Opening the windows — as long as the weather isn’t too hot or cold — is a great way to make your home smell great. It lets in fresh, clean air from outside and can make it feel less stuffy. The natural scent of the outdoors can be especially pleasant if you have nearby flowers. Make sure your window screens are intact so you don’t let in any unwanted insects. Spread the fresh air around with floor and ceiling fans.

Regularly Vacuum Carpets

Carpet lasts between five and 15 years, depending on the material and how well it’s cared for. It also accumulates scents over time from spills, dust, odors and walking on it. Regular vacuuming and occasional shampooing can help keep your carpets smelling fresh. Sprinkling baking soda on carpets and rugs can absorb even more odors before vacuuming.

If your carpets are old, you might consider having a professional replace them. Replacing carpets has a big effect on the overall smell of a space.

Get Rid of Mold

No number of reed diffusers or air fresheners is going to put a dent in the smell of mold if you don’t do something about the root cause. If you can see the mold and reasonably clean it up (such as mold around porcelain bathroom fixtures), go ahead and do so. But if you’re smelling mold and mildew and you can’t see it, you’ll want to contact a mold remediation specialist.

Wash Curtains and Linens

Curtains can absorb bad smells over time, like unwashed clothes. They also tend to get dusty. Laundering your curtains can make a difference in the overall smell of your home. Make sure your curtains or drapes can actually be washed, as some materials may be dry-clean only. When you rehang them, use a garment steamer to get out any wrinkles.

On that note, you should clean any linens you have lying around. Blankets, duvets and bed linens can also trap smells. Launder them with pleasant-smelling dryer sheets or fragrant laundry detergent to get a lasting air freshener effect.

Put Baking Soda in the Fridge

Putting an open box of baking soda in the fridge can help absorb odors from food and keep your fridge smelling clean. You can use a traditional box of baking soda or one specifically made for fridges — it has a breathable panel on the side to freshen your fridge. Change it out once every three months or more often if you regularly store smelly foods, like fish.

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Run Lemons Through the Garbage Disposal

A kitchen sink with a garbage disposal is really convenient for cleaning up food waste and scraps. But over time, it can develop an unpleasant smell. To help counteract this and disinfect it, cut up a whole lemon and put the pieces through the garbage disposal while running cold water. The acid in the fruit helps disinfect internal parts, and the rind and citrus oils provide a pleasant, clean smell.

Consider an Air Purifier

Although air purifiers are more expensive than other ways to make your home smell better, they’re a great long-term solution. Air purifiers trap dust and other particulates and filter odors from pets, food, garbage and other unpleasant smells in your home. Some are small enough to sit on a tabletop, while others are designed for larger living areas. There are even whole-house options.

Make a Simmer Pot

One of the best home scents can be created with a little water and some ingredients you might have in your fridge. Slice a lemon, orange or lime and add it to some fresh herbs, like basil, mint or lavender, in a pot. Fill it with water and simmer it on your stovetop on very low heat. Slowly, over time, the scents from the citrus and herbs will infuse your house. Apples, cinnamon sticks and cloves are another great combination to make your house smell great.

Use Candles, Diffusers or Room Sprays

Sometimes, making your house smell better is about removing bad smells, but it can also be done by adding pleasant fragrances. Scented candles, reed diffusers and room sprays are all effective at making your house smell better. You can select your preferred scents — whether floral, fruity or clean — and they help create a cozy ambience whether or not you’re entertaining guests.

Beeswax and soy candles generally burn cleaner than traditional paraffin candles because they produce less soot, and diffusers can be used with essential oils. Room sprays work well in any room of the house, including bathrooms.

Be careful about mixing fragrances together to avoid your house smelling like a scented candle factory. And consider only using them when you’re not cooking in the kitchen, as fragrances from candles and scents from food can be unappealing when mixed together.

Cook and Bake

This one seems obvious, but cooking and baking are great natural ways to make your house smell great, even if it’s temporary. Sweet baked goods and fresh bread are some of the best appetizing smells, and savory smells can be enjoyed from seared meats and simmering sauces.

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