There’s nothing like getting in after a long day, and being greeted with a beautifully scented home. It’s one of those things we tend to overlook, but whether you’re trying to impress your houseguests or treat yourself to a hotel-like experience, there’s no denying the positive effects a sweet-smelling home has on your wellbeing.
We also know that life is busy, and when you’ve got children, pets, or less-than-tidy adults running around the house, things aren’t always as fragrant as they could be.
Read on for our top (cheap!) tips on making your home smell incredible - expensive candles optional.
Clean your home regularly
Let’s start with the basics. If you feel like your home is smelling a little, well, off, it might be time to do some deep cleaning. No judgement - we’re here to help!
In the colder months, musty smells can build up, because we’ve often got the heating on and the windows closed. Add in hot steamy showers, lots of cooking, and dogs that love muddy walks more than baths, and it’s not hard to see how things get a little *smelly*.
Start by doing a deep clean of your kitchen and bathrooms on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be arduous - and we’ve got loads of tips in our Knowledge Base to help you clean your home in hassle-free ways. This article on preparing for your spring clean, or this article on those spots we forget to clean are great places to start. Cover the basics by making sure you’ve cleaned your bin (not just taken the rubbish out!), and identified the sources of any specific bad odours. It’s also a good idea to keep the windows open as much as you can, to allow fresh air to circulate. Do as the Germans do, and treat airing out your home as an art.
Use naturally scented cleaning products
On the subject of cleaning, the products you use make a real difference to the scent of your home. No one wants their space to reek of chemicals when they’re done - there’s nothing relaxing about that!
Ditch the harsh cleaning products and replace your stash with naturally scented products instead. It’s safer for your children and pets, and healthier for you, too - breathing in chemicals from cleaning products can have negative impacts on our bodies. In fact, we’ve written a guide to natural cleaning products covering everything from the benefits of using them, to how to get started with low-tox living.
Invest in a diffuser
For a quick and easy option, pick up a diffuser and some essential oils at your local natural shop. You can experiment with combinations based on your mood: if you want to feel energised, lemon and basil make a great team. For relaxation, you can’t go wrong with lavender. If it’s focus you’re after, grapefruit will do the trick. Your diffuser doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive - simple, ceramic oil diffusers can be found at most home and garden shops. They work using a candle that causes scented water to evaporate into your room, gently fragrancing your space.
Take a DIY approach
If you’re looking to get crafty this spring, consider a DIY approach to scenting your home. Our golden tip? Simmer a saucepan on the stove, and add some natural ingredients based on your personal preferences. Experiment with herbs like mint and lavender, cloves, or slices of lemons and oranges. The scented steam will waft through your home, creating a natural diffuser effect. For a spa-like experience in the mornings, we also love grabbing some eucalyptus from the local florist’s and tying it in your bathroom. The trend has recently blown up on TikTok, and for good reason - it takes about 5 minutes to uplevel your bathroom experience. Simply grab a small bunch of eucalyptus leaves (either fresh or dried works), and hang it next to your shower head. The steam activates the oil within the eucalyptus leaves which you then breathe in, aiding your stress reduction and respiratory health. And as an added bonus? It smells great, too.
Give these four methods a try, and make sure to let us know how you get on!
If you’re looking to upgrade your natural cleaning products, take a look at what Colt & Willow has to offer. Our products are all UK-made, beautifully scented, and most importantly, they actually work. Discover our range here.
