How can I make my room smell fresh naturally?

There are lots of smells welcome in my home, like a slice of homemade apple pie or a bouquet of freshly picked flowers on the kitchen table. But stinky odors like garbage, burnt popcorn and more can fill the house up as well. For stubborn, unpleasant scents that stick around, use a natural air freshener to clear the air.

Here’s how to fix your trash can smell.

1. Pomander Balls

I gift pomander balls during the holiday season, but they’re more than a sweet homemade gesture. The all-natural air fresheners can easily be made by piercing citrus fruits with a handful of cloves, and rolling the final product in a spice or two, like cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Hang pomander balls in a closet to ward off any stale air or pesky smells.

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils are natural deodorizers. Aside from filling up a diffuser with your favorite scent to freshen up your home, there are other places that can benefit from the sweet smelling oils. You can use them to get rid of that stinky trash can smell. Cover a wooden clothespin with a few drops of essential oils, then clip it to the car air vent to bring about a fresher, more pleasing scent in your vehicle. Did you know you can cook with essential oils, too?

3. Baking Soda

There are so many ways to clean with baking soda that it’s hard to keep track. It’s perfect for masking odors, too. You can create a baking soda air freshener spray by combining 1 tbsp. baking soda with water in a small spray bottle. The baking soda might not have a perfume-like smell, but it’ll absorb the unwanted odors and make them disappear completely.

4. Coffee

Whether you brew coffee on your own or frequent a local hangout (these are the best coffee shops in every state), there’s no denying the benefits of daily coffee drinking. Aside from giving us a daily boost, coffee also works as a natural homemade air freshener. If a room is super smelly, place bowls of freshly ground coffee around the area—be sure to place the bowls strategically, like on top of a floor vent so that the aroma travels faster throughout the room. The scent of the coffee grounds will block out any bad-smelling odors.

5. Vinegar

There are few things worse than the smell of a bathroom-related incident, or any other similar restroom odor. Vinegar is a loaded liquid that will not only eliminate these types of scents, but also keep the air as clean as possible. Place vinegar in a cup or bowl, allowing it to sit for a few hours in the contaminated area. The acetic acid will disinfect the air and get rid of the bacteria while taking away any foul smells that try to stick around. Here’s how to clean with vinegar.

6. Fragrant House Plants

Keeping fresh flowers in every room will certainly add a pleasant scent to your home. But those weekly bouquets can get expensive. For a more cost-effective option, adopt some fragrant house plants, such as jasmine or lavender. And in the kitchen, grow an array of herbs—like mint or rosemary—to keep odors away. These are the best herbs to grow in your kitchen.

7. Natural Candles

Candles serve a dual purpose: They reduce odors and give your home a cozy, inviting glow. Look for natural varieties made with bees, coconut or soy wax—and scented with essential oils. You can get natural candles and other eco-friendly household products from the subscription service Grove Collaborative.

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Smelly shoes, teenagers, pets, bins - there are lots of things that can make your home smell a little strange. Don't worry, I've got 19 natural ways to help you combat bad smells, and they won't cost you a fortune.

1. Orange peel candle

How neat!

Here's an easy solution to a smelly room - make an orange peel candle! Visit instructables.com for all the details on how to make one. It's a simple and pretty way to get rid of smells, so why not give it a go put a few in a dish on your coffee table?

2. Smudge stick

Smudge time

Many native traditions use Smudging rituals to cleanse the air and repel evil influence. Made up of bundle of dried herbs, a smudge stick is the perfect way to bring the smell of outdoors, inside. It's easy to make your own with herbs like Thyme, Mint and Sage. If you fancy trying your hand at one, check out youGrowGirl.com for the instructions.

3. Coffee candle

This is a simple and incredibly easy way to make a room smell lovely and all you need is a bowl, coffee beans and a tea light! Want to find out more exciting things you can do with coffee? Check out 21 curious uses for coffee you'll really love.

4. Lavender lemon candles

SO pretty

Oooh look at these beautiful candles! If you want to smell a wonderful blend of lemon and lavender, follow the instructions at Brit.co. For more lemon fun, don't miss out on Anushka F's 29 unexpected uses for lemons.

5. Potpourri

What a great present!

An old classic, potpourri can make your home smell gorgeous, and can also make a perfect gift. This seasonal Winter Spice recipe from Julie Blanner is an easy scent to create at home.

6. Jar room scents

So good you may want to drink it... but don't

Keep your home smelling wonderful for weeks with these beautiful DIY natural room scents from theYummylife.com. Have a look at Anushka F's 57 exciting ways you can transform empty jars for more uses.

7. Cinnamon scented pine cones

Try this seasonal room scent and decoration all-in-one - what a smart way to save a bit of cash at Christmas! Start this project well in advance, as it takes between 4 - 6 weeks for the pine cones to infuse the scent. Follow the instructions at eHow.com to make your own.

8. Air freshener gel

Using just a few ingredients, you can make your own gel air freshener by following the instructions in the excellent youTube video above, from HomeHandyHints. It's a cost-friendly way to make your home smell fantastic.

9. Non-toxic & green homemade deodorising spray

More lovely scents for your home

You may have seen deodorising sprays in the shops, but did you know you can make your own? With a few simple ingredients and a glass spray bottle, you'll be ready to get rid of nasty smells in no time. Make your own deodorising spray using the helpful tutorial at myMerryMessylife.com.

10. Reed diffuser

Do your magic

If you've already got a reed diffuser, or you're interested in making one up for yourself then check out theMakeYourOwnZone.com for the instructions. They'll look great, they'll smell great and more importantly, they will fragrance your room naturally with pure essential oils.

11. Homemade Air Freshener

Freshen up

For a Citrus Mint Air Freshener spray, in an 8oz spray bottle, combine:

• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vodka, rubbing alcohol or real vanilla extract
• 10 drops wild orange essential oil
• 8 drops peppermint essential oil

This lovely spray was developed from thePrairieHomestead.com and there are 10 different recipes for you to try out, so go have a look!

12. Pomander

The Pomander works as a natural air freshener and a moth repellent. You can hang them up on display, or use them in your wardrobes and drawers. Grab an orange, stud it with cloves and hang it up - easy! 

13. Homemade deodorising tablets

They may look like cakes, but don't eat them

Absorb terrible smells with your own homemade deodorising tablets. You can put these beauties in the bottom of your bins, under sinks or anywhere else you might be concerned has a smell. For a recipe, check out stayAtHomeDaDIY.blogspot.co.uk

14. Homemade air freshener

We can almost smell it from here!

Try this exciting DIY air freshener from House Of Hawthrones. It won't take long to make and with a little decoration it will look great. If you've got some baking soda spare, find out how one pot of bicarbonate of soda can clean your entire home!

15. Eucalyptus

Arrange bunches of eucalyptus in vases around the home, the leaves give off a strong scent which can make your home smell wonderful. You can choose from fresh or dried sprigs and if you put some in the bathroom, it will smell like a spa.

16. Vinegar bowl

If a room in your house is starting to smell a bit strange, grab a bowl, fill it with vinegar and leave it in the room. In just a few hours that smell will be gone - how brilliant! For more genius tips like this, check out Be amazed: 21 surprising uses for vinegar.

17. Stovetop potpourri

Got guests coming round last minute and need the house to smell inviting? Whip up a stovetop potpourri by adding an orange, a lemon, 3 cinnamon sticks to four cups of water in a saucepan or pot. Bring to a simmer and keep on low until the scent fills the room. Remember to keep an eye on the water level and top up if necessary.

18. Himalayan salt lamps

Salt lamps are beautiful and can help clear the air of lingering smells. They are a beautiful pink colour and with them, you can create a relaxing, calm environment in your home and at your office. I'm definitely going to get one!

19. Lavender sachets

Such a gorgeous solution

As well as smelling great, lavender is a brilliant thing to put in with your clothes as moths HATE lavender. annaAndBlue.blogspot.co.uk have created a tutorial so you can make your own sachets.

I hope you've enjoyed these natural ways to make your home smell wonderful! Please share with your friends - we're trying to spread the word of Expert Home Tips.

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