Like most people, I don’t want a lot in life. Sure, I wouldn’t say no to an all-expenses-paid trip around the Caribbean, but a home that’s always clean and smells amazing would also put a smile on my face. Mostly because it feels like an impossible feat.
Yes, I may be Ideal Home’s Cleaning Editor with a daily cleaning schedule that keeps me busy, but I’ve become increasingly aware that I’ve grown nose-blind to my own home. I’m probably not alone in this, either, with many people becoming accustomed to the smell of their house – whether it’s a nice one or not.
That’s why I started to wonder how I could merge my cleaning checklist with my desire for an incredible-smelling home, and I quickly realised that it’s a lot easier than I thought. There are so many odour-eating and naturally-scented products out there that can be used around the house, and these are the things to clean if you want your house to always smell good, too.
1. Bicarbonate of soda
The first step if you want to use scent for a feel-good home is to banish any lingering odours, and bicarbonate of soda is the perfect product for the job. That’s because most of the things that make a house smell are acidic, and this alkaline is a natural deodoriser – neutralising the acids (and the smells) at the source. The perks don’t end there, though
As well as using bicarbonate of soda to banish smells, there are also so many things you can clean with bicarb – including your oven, washing machine, smelly drains, mattresses, and even your carpets. Just be warned that there are certain things you should never clean with bicarb, too, as its naturally abrasive makeup (which makes it an effective cleaner) can be a little too abrasive at times.
Of course, it’s worth noting that bicarb itself doesn’t have much of a smell, but it’s the perfect starter product to tackle smells and clean a home before you add an extra layer into the mix. This could be adding essential oils to the baking soda, or using the best candles and diffusers to add that amazing scent.
Apothecary Calm Refillable Scented Candle
Refillable candles won’t just make your house smell amazing – they’ll also help you traverse the new recycling rules with ease.
Dri-Pak Clean & Natural Bicarbonate of Soda 500g
I always have a few of these in my cupboard under the sink, as these boxes of bicarb are incredibly easy to stack next to and on top of each other.
ARRAN After the Rain Reed Diffuser
Thanks to the subtle sandalwood & lime notes, this reed diffuser will work in any room to keep things smelling fresh.
2. Essential oils
Many people buy essential oils to add to their diffusers or even get rid of pests in the house, but very few realise that you can also use essential oils for cleaning. In fact, many essential oils are naturally bacteria-busting and have disinfectant properties that will leave your home spotless and smelling amazing at the same time.
The best way to use these essential oils is to add a few drops to a spray bottle – like these 500ml Glass Spray Bottles for Cleaning (£10.99 at Amazon) – filled with water. I also like to add an essential oil to my white vinegar, as I find the smell way too overpowering.
You can ultimately choose which essential oils to use for cleaning based on the scents you want in your home, but most experts recommend lavender, eucalyptus, citrus, or mint for their natural cleaning properties and fresh scents.
Purdy & Figg Counter Clean Mixed Starter Kit
This Purdy & Figg starter kit allows you to experiment with essential oils and comes with three oils, a glass bottle, a wiping cloth and a funnel.
Citrus is a winner when you want to clean your home with incredible-smelling products, and this set has you completely covered.
Handcraft Blends Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is one of the most popular essential oils for cleaning, and this huge 118 ml bottle will last you ages.
3. Lemons
While it’s always worth stocking up on lemon essential oil, nothing quite beats the power of an actual lemon, and they’re well worth adding to your shopping basket the next time you head to the supermarket. After all, they smell amazing themselves, and their naturally acidic properties can cut through grease, grime, limescale, and odours.
There’s not enough time in the day to go through all of the natural cleaning hacks that involve lemons, but they’re particularly handy for kitchen appliances that can release nasty odours. You can clean a microwave with lemon, and you can even just cut a lemon in half and use it as a makeshift sponge to clean everything from your kitchen worktops to your chopping boards.
This will then work double-time to not only clean your home but also release a fresh, fragrant scent. Just be warned that lemon is very acidic, so it shouldn’t be used on unsealed wood, natural stone, or other delicate materials.
Argos Home Set of 3 Measuring Jugs
If you want to use a lemon to clean a microwave or oven, using jugs like this can work wonders. Simply add water and the lemon.
Natural Sea Salt (1Kg Bucket)
Lemons and salt are a great combo if you want to clean chopping boards, kitchen sinks, metal, and even clothing stains.
White Vinegar Uplifting Lemon
If you don’t want to use actual lemons but love that lemon scent, I couldn’t recommend this lemon-scented white vinegar more.
4. Fragrant cleaning products
While I’m a huge proponent for homemade, natural cleaners – like Nancy Birtwhistle’s ‘Pure Magic’ – I also understand the appeal of ready-made cleaning products. This is especially true if you have particular scents that you love, or just prefer the convenience of having bottles ready to go when you need them.
These fragrant cleaning products are a great way to clean your house while also making it smell good, and there are so many amazing options to choose from. Our Digital Editor, Jenny, loves the saffron and oud scent of the limited-edition Method All Purpose Cleaner (£4 at Amazon), while many of the options in my best cleaning products guide also smell incredible.
And while it can be tempting to choose chemical cleaners for their strong scents, I’d advise choosing cleaning products that are as natural as possible. This way, they are gentle on your home, your health and the environment.
Zoflora Linen Fresh Multipurpose Disinfectant Mist (2 Pack)
This Zoflora disinfectant mist has thousands of amazing reviews on Amazon, with customers raving about the linen fresh smell.
2 Pack of Lenor Tumble Dryer Fabric Conditioner Sheets
Dryer sheets aren’t just for your tumble dryer. They can also be used to dust your skirting boards and blinds, smelling delicious at the same time.
Method Antibacterial Spray Beach Blossom
I use this fragranced cleaner in my own home and love that it’s both effective AND smells amazing.
5. An air purifier
This may be a little rogue, but many people with incredible-smelling homes also use one of the best air purifiers to keep their homes clean. After all, there are so many unexpected perks of air purifiers, and being able to remove dust and smells is just one of them.
Yes, many air purifiers on the market are equipped with carbon filters that help remove odours, and the HEPA filter can reduce the musty smell that can come from dust and clutter. And with an air purifier in tow, it can make a home feel and smell fresher.
But that’s not all! Some air purifiers – like the Shark NeverChange5 (£249.99 at Argos) – also have a scented Anti-Odour cartridge that releases a scent while it cleans the air. As someone who has tested this model myself, I can vouch that the smell lingers much longer than you’d think. And it smells delicious.
Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier
This air purifier has been at the top of our list for the past couple of years, and it’s the ultimate all-rounder. It’s also suitable for spaces up to 48m².
For larger spaces, this Dyson air purifier couldn’t be better. It’s sleek and stylish, and designed for spaces up to 100 m².
Blueair Blue 511i Max Smart WiFi Air Purifier
If you’re after a budget-friendly model, this one is suitable for spaces up to 22m² and is still super smart.
Will you be trying any of these? Your home will thank you for it!
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