How to Make Your Home Smell Fresh and Clean—Naturally

There is more to making your home smell fresh than simply adding a few air freshener plug-ins here and there. While we’re just as obsessed with essential oil diffusers and oat milk candles as just about everyone, keeping your house smelling good all the time actually starts with keeping it clean and uncluttered.

In the spirit of spring cleaning, here are a few tips on how to make your home smell fresh and clean…naturally!

1. Wash Your Linens Regularly…

From dust mites to dead skin to sweat, your bed accumulates unsavory things that lead to unfavorable smells you may be nose blind to. So wash your sheets and pillowcases, preferably once a week and right after you’ve been sick, to freshen the air in your room. And while you’re at that, don’t forget your pillow, which is one of the things most people often forget to clean. If you have pets, wash their beds and toys, too.

Pro Tip: Want to make a room smell like fresh linen all the time? Hang dryer sheets in the closet or inside drawers and cabinets.

2. …And Your Rugs

Whether we realize it or not, we spend a lot of time on our rugs. And they take a lot of beating, from dirty feet to food crumbs to beverage spills, making your rugs a hotbed for germs.

Vacuum your rugs and carpet every day to minimize dust and allergens. If you have a washable rug, wash your rug every few weeks and right after a spill or pet accident.

Pro Tip: Struggling with lingering dog smells on rugs? Try treating it with baking soda for two hours before vacuuming.

3. Declutter and Dispose Diligently

Make it a point to empty your garbage disposal, trash cans, and pet litter boxes as often as needed. Throw away soiled food and expired items in your fridge and kitchen cabinets. And get rid of things that don’t serve a purpose in your home (they’re only collecting dust, trapping allergens, and taking up precious space in your home). Doing these will not only help with keeping your home looking and smelling fresh, but will also get bacteria, viruses, and parasites out of your home.

Pro Tip: To freshen the smell in your kitchen sink area, try putting lemon slices in the garbage disposal and run it for a few seconds.

4. Purify the Air With Plants

Plants can enliven your space and boost your mood almost instantly. Try expanding your collection of houseplants and take full advantage of their ability to eliminate toxins in stagnant indoor air and produce oxygen. As you become a plant parent, you’ll grow to enjoy caring for them and experience soothing stillness while doing so!

Pro Tip: Thinking of buying houseplants but don’t know where to start? Start with low-maintenance plants, like pothos, zz, and snake plants, and house them in decorative planters or woven baskets.

5. Add Fresh Flowers

Nothing breathes new life into a room quite like a bouquet of fresh flowers. Not only do flowers freshen the air in your home, but research also shows they can lower your stress level and speed up your body’s healing process. It’s also an easy way to add colors to neutral spaces.

6. Open Your Windows

Opening your windows and letting the breeze and sunshine in is a quick, foolproof way to brighten up and freshen up the air circulating in your home. Plus, a whiff of fresh air gets you in a better mood, almost instantly!

And that’s it! Practice these six tips to begin each day feeling energized while keeping your home smelling fresh and clean!