7 Natural Ways to Eliminate Odors and Make Your Home Smell Amazing

The right scent can instantly make a room feel fresher, cleaner, and more inviting. While there are tons of store-bought products that can help achieve this goal, commercial air fresheners and cleaners made from harsh ingredients aren't the only way to get a great-smelling home. DIY alternatives provide a simple approach to deodorize and scent your space the natural way. Using a handful of household ingredients and fragrances from essential oils (like this Better Homes & Gardens 100% Pure Essential Oil, $8, Walmart) and herbs, you can create natural home scents that help eliminate odors and diffuse pleasing aromas. Try these DIY odor eliminators and home fragrance recipes for a fresh-smelling space.

1. Lemon Basil Room Spray

Freshen up rooms with the clean scent of lemon and basil. To create a DIY room spray, start by boiling ¾ cup water in a pot or tea kettle and pour it into a liquid measuring cup. Add four tablespoons of dried basil, and let it steep for a few minutes. Line a funnel with a coffee filter, and place it in the opening of a reusable spray bottle (Better Homes & Gardens 16oz Glass Spray Bottle, $5, Walmart). Carefully pour the basil and water mixture into the bottle through the filter to remove the herbs, then discard the filter. Add ¾ cup distilled water, one tablespoon vodka, and five drops of lemon essential oil to the bottle. Attach the spray bottle top and shake to combine the mixture. Spray the odor eliminator around the room as needed.

2. DIY Reed Diffuser

Create a simple DIY version of a reed diffuser (similar to this Better Homes & Gardens Reed Diffuser, $10, Walmart) using baby oil. Add one teaspoon of your favorite essential oil (any scent will work) to a small glass container and fill the rest with baby oil. If you're using a large vessel, you may need to add additional essential oil. Place rattan diffuser sticks inside the container and gently stir the mixture. Set your DIY reed diffuser on a countertop or table to fill the space with fragrance.

3. Essential Oil Wax Melts

You'll need a slow cooker, slow cooker liner, and silicone molds (we used a silicone tray for square ice cubes) to create your own wax melts. First, add a plastic liner to the slow cooker. Then add two cups of soy wax pellets and set the heat to low. Once melted, add one teaspoon lavender essential oil, ¾ teaspoon cedarwood essential oil, and ½ teaspoon vetiver essential oil. Mix thoroughly before carefully removing the liner. Set the liner inside a liquid measuring cup, folding the excess plastic over the edge of the cup. Sprinkle dried lavender into your silicone mold and pour the wax mixture on top. Let the wax cool at room temperature until it's completely solid, then remove the wax from the molds to use in a store-bought wax warmer.

4. Linen Spray

This DIY linen spray freshens towels, bedding, clothes, and fabric-covered furniture. Pour one tablespoon vodka into a liquid measuring cup, then pour into a reusable spray bottle. Add 35 drops of essential oil (you can use a combination of scents if desired), then fill the bottle the rest of the bottle with distilled water. Attach the spray bottle lid, and shake to mix well. Spray linens as needed to keep them smelling fresh.

5. Carpet Deodorizer

Try this homemade carpet deodorizer for a natural way to eliminate lingering smells from your floors. Start by mixing one cup baking soda and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a medium bowl. Add five drops of your favorite essential oil and stir to combine. Use a funnel to pour the mixture into a Mason jar. Create small holes in the lid using a hammer and nail, then attach the lid to the jar. Lightly sprinkle the mixture onto the carpet as needed, and let sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming up.

6. Simmer Pot

Follow this easy simmer pot recipe to quickly fill your home with warm, inviting aromas. Cut an orange into slices and add to a pot along with a small handful of cloves and cinnamon sticks. Add water to cover the ingredients and simmer on the stove for several hours to release the scent.

7. Gel Room Scent

Bring one cup water to boil in a medium pot. Add four packets of unflavored gelatin and whisk until dissolved. Add one teaspoon of any essential oil. Because this DIY fragrance will be displayed, you can add a drop of food coloring, if desired, for a hint of color. Next, mix in one cup water and one tablespoon salt and stir. Pour the mixture into small glass jars and let cool until the gel is solid. Set the jars on a table or countertop without a lid; the gelatin mixture will slowly release the scent as it dries.