5 Things I Use to Make My Home Smell Fresh Instead of Air Fresheners

By Stefan Gheorghe

Stefan Gheorghe Founder/CEO

Stefan Gheorghe is the founder and editor-in-chief of Homedit.com. He launched the platform in 2008 out of a passion for interior design, architecture, and how people actually live in their homes. With more than 17 years of hands-on experience publishing and curating home and design content, Stefan leads Homedit’s editorial direction and personally evaluates the projects, layouts, and design ideas featured on the site. His work focuses on practical design decisions, spatial clarity, and long-term usability. Rather than following short-lived trends, he prioritizes solutions that hold up in real homes, helping readers make informed choices they can live with and rely on over time.

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| Published on Jan 17, 2026

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Baking Soda Cleaning Odors

Lemon peels natural scent

Vinegar Worked for Years Until It Quietly Damaged These 10 Everyday Items - Vinegar Worked for Years Until It Quietly Damaged These 10 Everyday Items

simmer pot scent natural

stovetop-potpourri

5 Things I Use to Make My Home Smell Fresh Instead of Air Fresheners

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I stopped relying on sprays and plug-ins once I realized how fast natural methods change the feel of a space. These work immediately, layer well together, and make the house smell clean rather than scented. I always start with heat and air, then move to surfaces.

Stovetop Potpourri

This is always my first step. A pot of water with citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, herbs, or cranberries changes the entire house in minutes. The scent moves through rooms instead of sitting in one spot.

I follow the method outlined in the Homedit fall stovetop potpourri guide, which focuses on simple ingredient pairings that smell warm, clean, and seasonal without feeling heavy.

I use this after cleaning or when guests are on the way.

Natural Aromas Instead of Air Fresheners

Before I add scent to surfaces, I work with aroma in the air. Dried herbs, spices, citrus peels, and woods create a background smell that feels natural.

I rotate combinations inspired by Homedit’s DIY autumn aromas, which rely on ingredients that release scent slowly instead of all at once. This keeps the house smelling fresh for hours without needing reapplication.

Vinegar

Vinegar is where real odor removal happens. I use it diluted for cleaning and sometimes leave a small bowl in rooms with lingering smells. Once it dries, the vinegar scent disappears, and the space smells neutral again.

I use this step before adding any aroma so nothing mixes with trapped odors.

Citrus Fruit

Lemon peels and juice cut grease and leave a sharp, clean scent. I rub peels on faucets and stainless steel, then wipe with water. Citrus rinds also work well added to vinegar cleaners.

I avoid using citrus on natural stone, cast iron, and hardwood since the acidity can damage them.

Baking Soda

Baking soda does not add scent, which is exactly why I use it. It clears out smells in carpets, trash areas, and closets so any aroma added later feels light.

I sprinkle it before vacuuming or keep small open jars tucked out of sight.

When odor is removed first and scent is added gently, the house smells fresh instead of masked. Heat, air movement, and natural ingredients do more than sprays ever did. Once I switched to this order, perfumes felt unnecessary.