Lance Carson
Many people enjoy making their homes smell nice, but the products used to achieve this can contain harmful chemicals. Air fresheners, scented candles, and synthetic oils can cause issues for people with allergies and asthma, and some contain toxic chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic fragrances, which can cause respiratory problems and even hormonal disruptions. Fortunately, there are many safe alternatives for making your home smell good.
Safe ways to fragrance your house
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural Scents | Flowers, foliage, herbs, spices, citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, vanilla, mint, rosemary, basil, banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, fruit cobblers, pies, oranges studded with cloves |
| Devices | Diffusers, candles, air purifiers, air sprays, plug-in air fresheners, incense, room sprays, electric diffusers, dehumidifiers, steam cleaners |
| Other Methods | Opening windows, using baking soda, baking powder, or baking soda with wild orange essential oil, using natural laundry detergents, placing citrus peels in different areas |
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What You'll Learn
Use natural fragrances like flowers, foliage, herbs, and spices
Flowers are a great natural way to fragrance your house. Fragrant flowers like roses, gardenias, lilacs, and freesias can be planted in your garden and then cut and arranged into aromatic bouquets for each room of your home. Hang eucalyptus in your shower for an instant mood-booster, or add a vase of lavender to your office. You can also make your own dried, scented potpourri from foraged petals—dried florals can be spritzed with fragrance and will hold the scent for a few days.
Foliage is another natural way to fragrance your home. Pretty indoor plants can provide a bright, clean fragrance. Hang eucalyptus anywhere in your home for an instant mood-booster, or try pine or cedar twigs/needles for their appealing, fresh fragrance.
Herbs can also be used to fragrance your home. Any herb can be used, but sturdier ones on woody twigs will hold up best. Rosemary, thyme, and basil are great options for room scents. To use herbs as a natural fragrance, place a mixture of your favourite herbs, water, and fruit in a pot and simmer on the stove.
Spices are another natural way to fragrance your house. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and anise can be combined with citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes and simmered on the stove to create a natural fragrance. Vanilla and almond extracts can also be added to improve the fragrance mixture.
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Diffuse essential oils or use scented candles
Diffusing essential oils is a safe and effective way to create an inviting ambiance and enjoy the therapeutic effects of essential oils. There are many ways to diffuse essential oils, and the best method for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Electric diffusers, for example, offer convenience and ease of use, providing a continuous and consistent scent. They are suitable for larger rooms and allow you to set a timer or change the intensity of the dispersion. However, they require electricity to function.
If you're looking for a non-electric option, reed diffusers and pottery diffusers are great choices. These offer a more subtle release of fragrance, making them ideal for smaller rooms or areas where a gentle and consistent scent is desired. Another simple method is to use an evaporative DIY diffuser. All you need is an absorbent or porous material, such as cotton, terracotta, or bamboo. Soak the material in essential oil and place it in your room. The oil will slowly evaporate, diffusing its molecules and spreading a pleasant scent.
You can also use everyday objects like tissue boxes and toilet paper rolls as diffusers. The thin cardboard paper absorbs essential oils, holding the fragrance for a long time. Similarly, terracotta, a type of clay pottery, can absorb oils and slowly release the aroma over time. This makes terracotta flower pots excellent diffusers. Simply rub some essential oil on the pot, and you're set!
Another way to safely fragrance your house is by using scented candles. These can help set the mood in any room by filling it with an inviting fragrance. When choosing a scented candle, opt for soy wax candles, which are environmentally friendly. Paraffin candles, though fragrant, can be dangerous. After selecting a candle, choose a fragrance that suits your taste. Popular options include floral scents like rose, lilac, jasmine, and gardenia, as well as fresh and citrus scents such as lemon, grapefruit, lime, and garden mint. You can even make your own candles and add dried herbs and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and rose petals to create a warm, spicy aroma.
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Clean carpets, linens, and fabrics to avoid bad smells
Keeping your carpets, linens, and fabrics clean is essential to avoid bad smells and create a pleasant fragrance in your home. Here are some detailed tips to help you tackle each of these:
Carpets
Carpets can quickly absorb and hold onto pungent smells from spills, accidents, or smoking. To eliminate these odours, follow these steps:
- Treat soiled areas first: Remove any dried spills, blot away moisture, and use soap to treat noticeable stains.
- Use baking soda: Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the carpet. This will neutralise trapped odours. For larger areas, you may need a large box of baking soda for each room. You can also add Borax to the baking soda for better results. Mix one part baking soda with one part Borax, and add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance if desired.
- Let it sit: Allow the baking soda to sit on the carpet for 24 hours.
- Vacuum: After 24 hours, vacuum up the baking soda.
- Optional spray for added strength: Create a spray by mixing 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, and 4 cups of water. Spray this mixture onto the carpet, let it sit for 24 hours, then wipe and dry the area with a towel.
Linens and Fabrics
Maintaining fresh-smelling linens and fabrics is crucial, especially for hospitality properties. Here are some tips to prevent and eliminate unpleasant odours:
- Regular laundering: Regularly washing your linens helps prevent scents from becoming deeply ingrained in the fabric.
- Check your washing machine: Washing machines can sometimes cause foul-smelling residue or mould, which can transfer to your linens. Ensure your machine is clean and well-maintained.
- Use vinegar: The natural acidity of vinegar can neutralise odours and break down residual scents in linens. Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Alternatively, soak linens in a tub of cold water with one cup of vinegar.
- Air drying: Air drying your linens and fabrics outside is an excellent way to freshen them up.
- Treat specific odours: For foot odour in socks, soak them in a vinegar bath (2 cups of vinegar per gallon of water) for 30 minutes, then rinse and wash as usual. For armpit odours, caused by sweat and bacteria, pretreat the affected areas with a paste of baking soda and water before machine washing.
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Use air purifiers or open windows for fresh air
Air purifiers are a great way to keep your home smelling fresh without adding any scent. They are equipped with deep-cleaning carbon filter systems that help remove contaminants in the air and keep your home smelling fresh. This is especially helpful for those with fragrance sensitivity, a condition where one experiences allergic-like symptoms due to strong reactions to the chemical compounds that produce odors.
Additionally, consider opening windows to bring in fresh air and create a feeling of cleanliness. Opening windows on multiple sides of your home can create a pleasant cross breeze. Even a slightly open window can make a difference in improving the smell of your home, even in cold weather. This is a simple and cheap way to remove leftover cooking smells or lingering odors from home improvement projects, such as painting.
To further enhance the freshness of your home, combine the use of air purifiers and open windows with other techniques. For example, regularly vacuum and spot-treat carpets to prevent spills from becoming stains, which can lead to odors. Baking powder can also be sprinkled on carpets, left for a few hours, and then vacuumed up to absorb odors.
For those who enjoy a scented home, there are additional methods to safely fragrance your house. Herbs such as rosemary, mint, lavender, and basil have pleasant and subtle fragrances. Growing these herbs in a window garden or crafting a herbal wreath can naturally fragrance your home. Baking goods such as banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and fruit pies can also fill your home with enticing aromas while providing a delicious treat for guests.
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Avoid toxic fragrance products with harmful chemicals
When looking to fragrance your home, it is important to be aware of toxic fragrance products with harmful chemicals. These can be found in cleaning products, deodorants, shampoos, laundry detergents, cosmetics, and personal care products.
One of the most common chemicals found in fragrances is phthalates, which help scents last longer. Studies have shown that more than 75% of fragranced products contain these endocrine disruptors, and they can be found in the blood of most Americans, with the highest quantities found in women. Phthalates can act like hormones in the body and cause serious health issues, including cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, birth defects, respiratory problems, and lower sperm counts in men.
Another issue with toxic fragrance products is the lack of transparency and disclosure regarding their ingredients. The fragrance industry has been allowed to "self-regulate," and they are not required to list all ingredients on the labels. This makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices and avoid potentially harmful products. A study by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) found that fragrance suppliers use a range of chemicals, including some listed as carcinogens, such as pyridine, benzophenone, methyleugenol, and styrene.
To avoid toxic fragrance products, be cautious of terms like "fragrance-free" or "unscented," as these may still contain masking fragrances to cover chemical smells. Look for products with full ingredient disclosure and avoid those that simply list "fragrance" or "parfum," as these terms often indicate the presence of hidden chemicals. Opt for natural fragrances from flowers, foliage, herbs, and spices, or choose fragrance-free products from trusted brands that prioritize transparency and safety.
Additionally, be mindful of the impact of fragrance chemicals on indoor air quality. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in fragrances can accumulate indoors and have negative respiratory and systemic effects on vulnerable individuals. These include headaches, asthma attacks, and breathing difficulties. To mitigate this, ensure proper ventilation in your home and be mindful of the number of fragranced products you use simultaneously.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many safe ways to fragrance your house. Some of the most common methods include:
- Using essential oil diffusers
- Simmering herbs, spices, and fruits on the stove
- Baking fragrant goods
- Growing fragrant plants and flowers in your garden and making bouquets
Some natural fragrances that are safe to use in your essential oil diffuser include:
- Lavender
- Citrus
- Eucalyptus
- Vanilla
Some safe alternatives to essential oil diffusers include:
- Using a reed diffuser
- Boiling fragrant herbs, spices, and fruits on the stove
- Hanging eucalyptus in your shower
- Baking soda mixed with essential oils in a spray bottle
Some potential dangers of using synthetic fragrances include:
- Exposure to harmful chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and synthetic fragrances
- Allergic reactions and respiratory issues
- Hormonal disruptions
