Let’s be honest—there’s nothing better than walking into a home that smells fresh and clean. But when you’re trying to live more sustainably, the idea of synthetic air fresheners and overpowering chemical sprays just doesn’t sit right. Not only are they packed with a long list of ingredients (some of which can mess with our hormones or trigger allergies), but they also come with a hefty plastic footprint which we’re trying to minimise.
So, what’s the alternative? Whether you’re trying to banish the pong of wet dog, freshen up after cooking a curry, or just want your home to have that clean fresh smell, here are my favourite natural and eco-friendly ways to keep your home smelling lovely—without harming your health or the planet.
1. Let nature in!
Sounds simple, but one of the best ways to freshen up your home is to just open the windows. Opening the windows for 10–15 minutes a day can do wonders. Cross-ventilation (open windows on opposite sides of your home) helps sweep out stale air and bring in a little of that fresh outdoor goodness in.
Bonus points if you’ve got a garden or balcony—bring in a few freshly picked herbs or flowers like rosemary, lavender, or mint indoors or plant under windows. Instant natural air freshener.
2. Simmer Pots: Your Kitchen’s Secret Weapon or Clean Your Oven With Lemons
Simmer pots are basically a hug in a saucepan. Just fill a pot with water, chuck in some sliced citrus fruits (lemons and oranges are great), a few cinnamon sticks, cloves, or sprigs of rosemary, and let it gently bubble away. The scent will drift through your home like a cloud of cosy joy.
They’re especially nice in winter, and you can use up old fruit that’s past its best.
I don’t do this very often as it’s not the best use of energy but it’s a great way to rid your kitchen / house of strong cooking smells.
Alternatively, combine cleaning your oven or microwave with a few slices of lemon in a bowl of water, pop it into your oven and allow to heat up and the steam will work it’s magic to loosen the grease while the lemon scent will fill your kitchen. Win, win!
3. DIY Essential Oil Sprays
Ditch the store-bought sprays and make your own natural air freshener. It’s super easy. All you need is:
- A reusable spray bottle
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1–2 tablespoons vodka or rubbing alcohol
- 15–20 drops of your favourite essential oils *
Try lavender and lemon for a relaxing vibe, or peppermint and eucalyptus to wake things up a bit. Give it a shake before each use and spritz away. Great for bathrooms and bins.
* always check which essential oils are safe to use around pets and children
4. Scented Bicarb for Soft Furnishings
Our sofas, carpets and curtains are absolute magnets for odours. But no need for toxic fabric sprays—just sprinkle bicarbonate of soda mixed with a few drops of essential oil over the area, leave for 15–30 minutes, then hoover it up. Bicarbonate of soda is a natural odour deodoriser so It’s brilliant for absorbing smells.
You can also pop a little jar of bicarb (with oils) in cupboards, the fridge (leave out the oils), or even your loo for a low-key deodoriser. It’s also great for deodorising pet beds, just leave out the essential oils.
5. Houseplants: Nature’s Air Purifiers
Plants like peace lilies, English ivy, and spider plants can help filter indoor air. They don’t exactly perfume your space, but they do help keep it feeling cleaner and fresher. Plus, looking after plants is good for your mental wellbeing too—double win.
6. Natural Cleaning = Natural Scent
Switching to natural cleaning products (like white vinegar, castile soap, citric acid and lemon juice) keeps synthetic fragrances out of your home and leaves behind a naturally clean scent. Add essential oils if you want a boost—but even without, your home will smell actually clean, not “pine forest with a suspicious chemical twist” clean.
Check out how to make your own in my Home Cleaning and Organising section.
7. Eco Friendly Candles / Wax Melts
Standard candles are often made with paraffin (a petroleum byproduct), and the fragrances are usually synthetic. Look for natural candles made from coconut and rapeseed, soy or beeswax with pure essential oils. They burn cleaner and give your home that warm, cosy, Sunday-afternoon-snuggled-under-a-blanket vibe.
8. Hang a bunch of Eucalyptus in your Shower
Make your shower smell like a spa, just hang the bunch of Eucalyptus where the steam from the shower will release the scent. Gentle crush the leaves between your fingers to release more scent.
9. Essential oils in your Bins
Keep your kitchen bins smelling clean and fresh all day long by placing a few drops of essential oil on a piece of carboard and place in the bottom of bins
10. Essential Oil and Loo Roll Trick
Have you tried the trick of adding a few drops of essential oil to the inside carboard tube of your loo roll. It’s much nicer than chemical air fresheners and you can add different oils to create your own scent
Living sustainably doesn’t mean compromising on comfort. In fact, I’d argue that a naturally fresh-smelling home feels even better because you know it’s healthier, safer, and kinder to the planet. Plus, it’s a fab excuse to get a bit crafty in the kitchen or whip up your own sprays like the domestic alchemist you are.
So go on—ditch the aerosols and embrace the gentle magic of nature. Your nose (and the Earth) will thank you 💚
Want to try some of these natural scent-boosters? Check out my zero waste shop for essential oils, natural cleaning products, natural wax melts, and more sustainable home goodies: TMG Shop
Let me know your favourite way to keep your home smelling lush in the comments!
