Whether entertaining guests or coming home after a long day of work, the scent of your home should create an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere, not clog your nose with the stench of pet odor or trash. Summer temperatures can magnify unpleasant aromas in your home, so here are ten easy ways to keep your home smelling welcoming.

1. Candles

You can try out new scents in your home with candles. Choosing candles made with essential oils or natural ingredients cultivates stronger smells. Be sure not to place candles next to flammable objects or leave the house with a candle still lit.

2. Make or buy a room spray 

Though you can find affordable options, making your own room spray with essential oils will create a longer-lasting smell that is all natural and easy to replace. Just mix some water, your favorite essential oil, and unscented witch hazel.

3. Get your carpets cleaned 

Shoes, pets, feet, and food all create smells in the home that carpets absorb, thus making your house smell like a reflection of your floor. Arranging for your carpets to be professionally cleaned is a simple and effective way to keep your house odor-free. Best of all, you don’t have to lift a finger. PureClean Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning provides affordable carpet cleaning services in the Lexington area and beyond.

4. Run your garbage disposal with a lemon

Citrus helps to sanitize and deodorize your kitchen. Running a lemon through your garbage disposal will help eliminate lingering odors of wet food in your kitchen. Cut up an entire lemon and run it through the disposal with cold water running to clear the odors of past meals.

5. Utilize floral arrangements

Fresh flowers are an aesthetic way to bring natural scents indoors. When making or buying bouquets, choose aromatic flowers such as roses, gardenias, lavender, lilacs, and freesias. Dried floral arrangements like eucalyptus or potpourri also create a lasting smell with no upkeep.

6. Monitor fridge drips

Most people have an array of bottles and sauces that have been constants in their fridge for a long time. Though loyal, those containers often leave drips that harden on fridge surfaces. Wipe down your sauces after each use to minimize their drip or place plastic container lids under bottles to act as drip-catching coasters.

7. Get your air ducts cleaned 

Getting your air ducts cleaned can be a simple fix to odors with questionable origins. Air ducts can create a constant stench when dust, mold, debris, pet dander, and rodent droppings build up or get trapped in the system. We’ve even found dead vermin and animal carcasses rotting away in the duct systems for who knows how long. A professional air duct cleaning is an easy way to eliminate consistent odor in your home while also ensuring healthier, cleaner indoor air.

8. Deodorize and clean your trash can 

Sprinkle a small spoonful of borax or baking soda in your trash each time you replace the bag. The crystals in these items will help neutralize odors and keep garbage smells from overwhelming your home. You should also clean the interior of your trash can at least once a month. Trashbags often leak or break, leading to bad smells that circulate throughout the home.

9. Make a simmer pot 

Simmering a mix of fragrant ingredients on your stove can produce an inviting smell that wafts through your home. Though some like to bake sweet-smelling desserts to curate a household scent, simmer pots are an easier option that leave you with minimal cleanup. This is a great short-term option if you need a quick odor fix for guests coming over.

10. Cover up microwave smells

Microwaves are a common kitchen appliance with high use and high smell-trapping potential. Deep cleaning your microwave and then heating up a little vanilla extract for one minute will help alleviate the smells of reheated leftovers.

A comfortable home starts with a clean and uplifting smell. Using a variety of these easy cleaning tactics and aromatic creations will help keep your house free of odors that you may have become nose blind to. By incorporating these easy tips into your routine, you can ensure your home always smells fresh and inviting.