Happy Thursday ❤ I hope your week’s been treating you well so far. I’ve got to share something that never fails to brighten my day: when friends and family come over and immediately rave about how amazing my place smells. Honestly, it’s like the best compliment ever! There’s just something so heartwarming about knowing your home feels as inviting and cozy as it smells.
I mean, let’s be real life can get pretty hectic, especially when you’ve got a toddler who’s always on the move and a dog that seems to shed more fur than is humanly possible. On top of that, our schedules are packed and there’s barely any time to breathe, let alone clean. But even with all that chaos, I’ve discovered some simple tricks to keep my home smelling fresh and fabulous. And trust me, if I can manage it, you totally can too!
So, today I’m super excited to share my go-to tips for keeping your space smelling amazing, no matter how crazy life gets. From easy DIY solutions to clever little hacks, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in and make our homes not just clean, but delightfully fragrant too!
01. REGULARLY CLEANING & DECLUTTERING YOUR HOME
Let’s kick things off with the golden rule for a home that always smells fresh: a serious deep clean. I’m talking about really getting into those hidden nooks and crannies. Trust me, those little spots that you might overlook are often where those sneaky odors build up over time.
It’s not just about the obvious spots like countertops and floors; it’s about tackling those forgotten corners where dust bunnies and old spills like to hang out. It might seem like a big task, but once you’ve tackled it, you’ll be amazed at how much fresher your home smells.
02. VACUUM AND MOP FLOORS
Luckily, I do have hardwood floors throughout my entire house, which helps with smells clinging to carpets. However, I still have rugs in every room, which can retain odors. To prevent this, I vacuum every other day and I always sprinkle this carpet freshener before going in with my vacuum cleaner.
For the hardwood floors (we have luxury vinyl, not real wood) I love using the capri-blue volcano concentrate and all it takes is a small amount in a bucket full of water and it smells amazing. I have really been loving this mop and bucket which is super easy to use and when done you can throw the sleeve into the washer and re-use. I also still have my cedar-mop that I have been using for years and it’s still my all-time favorite.
03. CLEAN UPHOLSTERY
You may be surprised when you realize just how much scent can linger in our upholstery. Odors cling to fabric, so maintaining regular cleaning routines can significantly enhance the fresh smell in your home. I make it a point to clean my sofa and bedframe every month using my trusty upholstery machine, and it has made my life so much easier. With a toddler and a dog, messes are inevitable, and stains seem to pop up constantly.
For stains alone, this stain remover is the best I have ever used, and it works like a charm.
04. KEEP GARBAGE AREA CLEAN
Garbage is usually the main source that starts to stink up our house so to prevent that we take the trash out daily. I always make sure to clean out my trash can with dawn dish soap and vinegar and sanitize with a disinfecting wipe regularly. I love throwing these small space air fresheners at the bottom of the trash can so it can maintain any harsh smells.
05. MAINTAIN CLEAN & ODOR FREE FRIDGE
Many times, I have been stumped by a foul odor in our home, only to discover that it came from our refrigerator. Whether it’s forgotten leftovers or spoiled fruit, these can surely cause a funky smell. To avoid this, I now make a point of regularly checking the fridge for any spoiled items and toss out leftovers after 3 days. I also keep baking soda in the fridge to absorb any lingering odors.
06. OPEN WINDOWS
Allow fresh air into your home by opening the windows to let the stale air out. Though it may seem simple, I make it a habit to open my windows daily for a breath of fresh air. A helpful tip I swear by is to also open windows while cooking to allow cooking odors to escape outside instead of lingering indoors.
07. PURIFIERS, FRESHENERS & DIFFUSERS
All three of these items are excellent additions to any home, and I personally have all of them. In each of our bedrooms, we have air purifiers that effectively eliminate dust, smoke, bacteria, and other pollutants. Here is the specific one that I have.
I use this linen spray on all my blankets, curtains and upholstery to keep them smelling fresh and clean. As for fragrance diffusers, I rely on this Pura Fragrance Diffuser to give my home its signature scent. I highly recommend and use the scents Santorini and Coconut Santal if you’re needing any recommendations.
08. CLEAN GARBAGE DISPOASAL
Many people overlook the garbage disposal, but it can accumulate food and bacteria that create unpleasant odors. I personally recommend using these garbage disposer cleaning packets to keep it clean and fresh smelling.
You can also sprinkle baking soda and pour over white vinegar for the same effect.
09. DO LAUNDRY REGUARLY
I’ll admit, laundry isn’t my favorite chore, but sticking to a set schedule has made a big difference. When dirty clothes start piling up, it can create unpleasant odors, but incorporating laundry into my Sunday reset routine has really freshened up my home.
10. KEEP BATHROOMS FRESH & CLEAN
Bathrooms can start to smell a bit funky, but I’ve found that cleaning the toilets three times a week really helps. I have a few go-to products that keep my bathroom fresh and maintained. I use these cleaner tablets that cleans with each flush. Additionally, I like to add a drop of lavender oil (or any essential oil of your choice) inside the toilet paper roll for a nice fragrance. I also put a few drops of oil on a cotton ball and toss it into the trash can to keep everything smelling nice.
11. WASH LINEN TO MAINTAIN FRESH SMELL
I make it a point to wash my blankets and duvets every Sunday to get rid of any lingering odors. There’s nothing like crawling into bed with fresh sheets and blankets that smell like they just came out of the dryer. Keeping up with this routine not only ensures a pleasant sleeping environment but also keeps my home smelling fresh overall.
