The best way to make your house smell good is to open the doors and windows and let some fresh air in. Not only does fresh air whisk away lingering smells and stale air, but it also brings with it its own clean scent. Unfortunately, opening your doors and windows is not always an option. This is especially true if you like to keep your home air conditioned.
The problem is magnified in the holiday season when you have to welcome one house guest after another. Fortunately though, there are ways you can make your condo smell great without having to rely on fresh air. Here is a list of room scents you can turn to for that much-needed olfactory comfort. Their ingredients are all-natural too! You won’t have to worry about chemical and synthetic scents, and can feel at ease even if you have a baby at home.
Photo courtesy of Jill111 via Pixabay
Essential oil diffusers
You will love how diffusers are so easy to use. All you’ll have to do is fill it with water, add a few drops of essential oil, and switch it on. The diffuser produces a fine mist that carries the fragrance of the essential oils throughout your condo. It also lets you avoid potentially harmful chemical sprays or plug-ins. The following earthy oils work great at bringing out the scent of fresh air: white fir, sandalwood, myrrh, frankincense, cypress, cedarwood, and birch. Spicy oils are also worth a try, including thyme, rosemary, ginger, clove bud, cinnamon bark, and cassia. Blending earthy and spicy oils with citrus oils like lemon and wild orange make for a great concoction. Have fun mixing and matching!
Scented cleaning vinegar
With all the bustle of holiday preparations, it can be tempting to go the easy route and just cover up the unpleasant smell in your condo. This is something you will want to avoid though. There’s nothing like a thorough cleaning session to get rid of bad smells. Using a cleaner that leaves a fresh scent makes this an even better option. For this, you can rely on a scented cleaning vinegar to do the job for you. Not only will it help you clean your home effectively, it will also leave behind a lemony fresh scent.
Fabric freshener spray
Even if you do not have a diffuser at home, you can still use essential oils to infuse your home with fragrance. All you have to do is fill a spray bottle with water, essential oils of your choice, and a bit of baking soda. Shake it well, and start using it as you would a fabric spray. If you want a natural energy boost, grapefruit, wild orange, tangerine, and lemon are great options for you. But if you prefer a more calming effect, then lavender and vanilla are just the scents for you.
Photo courtesy of Riedelmeier via Pixabay
Garbage disposal cubes
Your garbage bin can also be a source of weird smells. The great news is that even your garbage bin can smell good. Homemade garbage disposal cubes will do the trick. To create these ingenious hacks, you will need lemons, vinegar, and an ice cube tray. Simply add a slice of lemon in each ice cube mold, then fill it with vinegar. Do not add water. The vinegar is best left undiluted. After the cubes have frozen, you can store them in a plastic bag. Every other day, throw a handful of these cubes into your garbage bin. Now imagine a home where even the trash smells good! It will be well worth your efforts.
Deodorizing carpet powder
A more subtle source of unwanted smells in your condo is your carpet. Fret not though, as you can make your own deodorizing carpet powder to get rid of the unpleasant odor. You will need baking soda, borax, essential oils, and ground cloves or cinnamon. Start by mixing together baking soda, and borax, half a cup each. Then add 30 drops of your preferred essential oils. Stir the mixture until it is free of lumps. Now all you will have to do is spread the powder out onto your carpet using a container with a dispenser top. Allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly.
Photo courtesy of Dana Tentis via Pixabay
Wax melts
Do you have a lamp for wax cubes at home? They are great for filling your home with fragrance. The great part is that you will not have to worry about the risks of having an open flame in your condo. What you may not know is that you can create your own scented wax cubes at home. You will need a saucepan, metal or glass bowl, silicone, mold, 100 drops of essential oil(s), 1/2 cup coconut oil, and 1/4 cup beeswax pastilles. All you have to do is pour about two inches of water into your saucepan, then bring it to a simmer. Mix the coconut oil and beeswax in the bowl, and place it over the pan of simmering water. When the mixture has completely melted, remove it from the heat and add in the essential oils. That’s it, you’re done!
Car air freshener
While this does not directly involve your condo, you will still need it if you do not want unwanted smell sticking to the stuff you bring into your home. Here is a simple way you can make homemade air fresheners for your car. You will need a sandwich bag, wooden clothespin, fresh herbs, and essential oils. You need to apply 5 drops of essential oils to each clothespin, then store it in a sealed sandwich bag with the herbs. You can then clip one or two of these clothespins to your car’s air vents.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay via Pexels
Gel air fresheners
DIY gel air fresheners can also make your home smell good. You will need 1 cup of liquid potpourri, 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin, 20 drops of essential oils, food coloring, 1 tbsp. salt, silk flowers, and heat-safe containers. Simply heat three parts of the potpourri over medium to high heat, add the salt, and stir until it is dissolved. Then add the gelatin and keep mixing until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and mix in the remaining quarter of potpourri. Pour the mixture into containers and add silk flowers, food coloring, and essential oils. Let cool, and cover with a lid.
Air purifying plants
What you may not know is that your potted plants are not only there to serve as ornaments, but they are also natural air purifiers. Some of the more ideal indoor plants are peace lilies, orchids, and palm trees. There is no better time to spruce up your condo with some greens than this holiday season!
Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay
Stovetop potpourri
There’s nothing like stovetop potpourri to inspire the holiday spirit. It just smells like Christmas! So get to work with your DIY skills. Simply fill a saucepan with water, add your favorite herbs and sliced lemon, then simmer on low heat. You can also use a mini crockpot for your heat source.
Fill your condo with all sorts of wonderful fragrances this 2018. Your guests and visiting family will love your home more! This is also another reason to love your condo leasing experience.
