As a result of doing a month of chemo in 2001 for stage 3 colon cancer, I became susceptible to certain perfumes/smells/odors. For example, I used to wear a lightly fragranced perfume that I adored — now there are not many perfumes that I can wear or stand to smell. My husband has had to return several colognes simply because the fragrance made me nauseous. I find that many of the natural home fragrances do not sit well with me. However, like most, I love a clean smelling home – who doesn’t? When I was studying aromatherapy, I quickly learned that fragrance could lift the spirit as well as calm the mind. So I decided to put together 20 DIY Tips For A Naturally Clean Smelling Home to share how you can make your home clean smelling home all year long without harmful chemicals and without harming your health and the health of your family.
20 DIY Tips For A Naturally Clean Smelling Home
1) Plants. Plants. Plants
A very natural and easy way to add oxygen, which cleans and purifies, to the air. Examples of plants to include are several palms, like Areca, Lady, Dwarf Date, and Bamboo, as well as Rubber Plant, Dracaena, English ivy, Boston fern, and Spider Plant. Another good idea is to place a lavender plant in your living area for a fresh and calming scent. Always keep your plant’s soil clean (use organic potting soil), remove dead leaves, and do not over-water, which can not only kill your plant but can also cause mold growth.
2) Open a Window
Easy and free. However, if you live in a substantial industrial or chemical area, be careful that you are not trading one concern for another. I highly recommend a high-tech ionic air purifier.
3) Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda in garbage cans and diaper pails and rinse with a solution of water and vinegar to remove odors. To remove odors from carpets, sprinkle lightly with baking soda, wait thirty minutes and vacuum thoroughly. Place open boxes of baking soda in areas around the home (don’t forget to include the fridge) to absorb odors. Place small bowls of white vinegar in out of the way areas. As the vinegar evaporates, so do the smells. Sprinkle baking soda in shoes to remove offensive foot odor.
4) Simmering Spices
On your stove or in a simmer pot, simmer cinnamon, cloves or citrus fruits in water. Another great natural fragrance idea is to place two small lemons (sliced), three springs of rosemary, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract in a medium pot of water. Allow it to simmer all day. Your home will smell scrumptious!
5) Essential Oils
Place a drop of pure citrus essential oil on a curtain or blind or on the toilet paper roll in the bathroom. The scent will not be over-powering but instead will give off a very lite fragrance.
6) Pomanders
Make an old fashioned pomander like the kind used in colonial times. Easy to make, just stud oranges, lemons, or limes with whole cloves and place in a pretty bowl.
7) Natural Candles
Beeswax or soy candles give off a pleasing light fragrance.
8) Source of Odor
Even clean homes can “smell” from time to time. Find the source of the offensive odor and remove it — considering it’s not a human.
9) Vinegar
In a spray bottle, mix three parts, white vinegar, and one part water. Spray to your heart’s content (vinegar neutralizes odors on surfaces and in the air).
10) Herbs
Grow herbs on your windowsill: Basil, mint, and thyme can be grown indoors year-round. These naturally fragrant herbs will help clean the air while providing a decorative touch to the windowsill.
11) Essential oil cleaning spray
Use grapefruit seed extract, tea tree oil, or lavender essential oil. Just a few drops in a gallon of warm water will do the trick. (Make a more robust solution for harder to banish concerns, such as mildew in the bathroom.) This solution can also be used in a misting bottle to add freshness to the air and fabrics as well as to disinfect counters, bathrooms, sick rooms, etc.
12) Garbage Disposal Cleaner
For odors in your garbage disposal, quarter a lemon or lime and toss it down. Add a few ice cubes to sharpen the blades as you grind everything up, leaving the garbage disposal smelling citrus fresh!
13) Apple
Cut an Apple and Soak Up the Smells – This sounds bizarre, but a cut-up apple is excellent at absorbing odors.
14) Natural Air Freshener
Place several drops of pure essential oil in a glass spray bottle. Fill with distilled water. Use as a room spray. You can control the intensity of the smell by how many drops of the essential oil you add. Be sure to shake the bottle before every use.
15) Fresh Bathroom
Keep a bottle of peppermint essential oil (peppermint essential oil is very inexpensive) on the toilet tank lid, and after flushing, put one drop of peppermint essential oil into the tank. Instruct older family members on how to do this.
16) Dirty Clothes
Make sure that dirty clothes do not accumulate in piles or dirty clothes hamper. Placing a small pomander filled with baking soda inside the dirty clothes hamper will help with odor.
17) Change Filters
Change heater and air-conditioning filters often. Spray rubbing alcohol on the vents inside your home. If there is mold on the vents, use a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water to kill the fungus.
18) Replace Old Carpeting
Wash rugs in the bathroom area at least one time weekly.
19) Floors
For bathroom floors (tile and ceramic), invest in one of the smaller steam cleaners that uses water only. You can also place 1-2 drops of essential oil into the water for a pleasant fragrance.
20) Aromatherapy Diffuser
A high-quality aromatherapy diffuser can clean the air of viruses and bacteria. Be sure to use good quality essential oils. Reed diffusers work well as long as the scent is not laden with chemicals.
Bonus #21
Collect the seeds from a lemon and plant them. Not only will the plant look great, but it will also smell delicious! You can find instructions here.
Bonus #22
Change the sheets in your bedrooms at least one time a week. Body oils on the sheets can become “smelly” quickly. A fresh change of bedsheets will help to keep your bedroom smelling clean.
Bonus #23
If you have a basement or live in a very humid area, it’s a good idea to get your home tested for mold periodically. Mold can grow just about anywhere and especially loves areas that are dark, damp, and humid. Mold can make your home smell terrible, and the mold spores are very hazardous to your health.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Oasis Advanced Wellness/OAWHealth are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician of choice.
