From time to time, we may notice our homes have an aroma.
Other times we might worry that we have gone nose blind, particularly if we have teenage children or pets. Smells from both outside the home and inside the house can leave a lingering scent that might be unpleasant. Here are some top tips to freshen up your home all year round.
Freshen up your bins.
Nothing is as bad as the smell of garbage. Our bins may not be full, but if they have old cans or food wrappers in them, chances are they stink. This odour may be horrible for us, but rodents and flies can think of nothing better than the rotting smell of trash.
Make sure you clean your bins regularly with bleach or kitchen cleaner and don’t forget to take out the garbage, even if your can isn’t completely full.
Dryer sheets are your secret weapon.
Those thin sheets we throw into the dryer? They are perfect for freshening up cushions, bed linen or draws. Slip one into a cushion cover on the sofa, and every time you sit down, a fragrant puff will waft around your living room.
This is an excellent idea if you want to make your closet smell better too. You could also slip a few into your pillowcases, so every time you fall into bed, it smells like clean sheets.
Add some outside inspiration.
Plants can clean the air we breathe. Many outdoor plants offer a beautiful smell. Jasmine is rich and oriental, or you could try some eucalyptus. You can keep these plants potted but make sure you water them and keep them healthy. If your indoor house plants die, they start to smell too! Not what you want.
Christmas inspiration.
Remember at Christmas when you have mulled wine cooking on the stove, and the whole house smells of oranges and cinnamon? You can use this as a technique to freshen up your home. Adding spices and fruit to water and letting them bubble away gently on the back of your stove, will fill your home for hours with the most beautiful scents.
If all else fails…
There are plenty of solutions you can buy in the supermarket. Plug-in air fresheners can help lift your hallway and eliminate any odors from shoes. Scented candles are an option, but the new kid in town is the wax melt. This sits in a dish above a heat source and slowly melts like a candle. You can make them at home yourself using essential oils. You can also use air freshening sprays for a quick blast if you have guests coming over.
The most important thing of all is to keep your home clean and tidy. If you practice good house hygiene, most smells won’t stick around for too long. Keep your carpets cleaned, and your bathrooms disinfected. Don’t forget to let in plenty of fresh air into your home also as the air inside our homes can go stale over time.
