There’s nothing like walking through the front door and thinking ooh yes. When your home smells good, everything feels a bit more put together—even if there’s Lego on the floor and toast crumbs on the worktop. And the best bit? You don’t need to buy a £60 candle to make it happen.
Scent plays a bigger role than we think. It affects your mood, your energy, even how much you enjoy being at home. But if you’ve got closed windows, pets, and a permanently steamy bathroom, it can be tricky to keep things feeling (and smelling) fresh.
Here are our top tried-and-tested tricks to make your home smell amazing—in under 2 minutes.
Quick Ways to Make Your Home Smell Fresh, Naturally
Whether you're expecting guests, feeling overwhelmed by winter stuffiness, or just want to enjoy a fresh-smelling house, these scent tricks are simple, natural, and work fast.
1. Boil a Quick Scent Bomb
Fill a saucepan with water, and throw in anything fragrant you have lying around: slices of lemon or orange, a sprig of rosemary, a cinnamon stick, a dash of vanilla, a few cloves…
Bring it to a gentle simmer and let the steam do its thing. It’s the DIY diffuser your grandma swears by, and it works. Bonus: your house smells like you’ve been baking something delicious.
⏱ Time: 2 minutes to simmer while you tidy the counter.
2. The Real Dishwasher Hack
If your dishwasher smells a bit... off, here’s a quick fix that actually works. Just add a splash of white vinegar and a few slices of fresh lemon, then run it empty on a hot cycle. Job done.
Then (and this is the good bit) wipe the seals with our Geranium All Purpose Cleaner. Every time you open the door, it smells less like soggy crumbs and more like a spa.
⏱ Time: 2 minutes (hands-off)
3. Freshen the Bin (Properly)
It’s boring, we know. But the kitchen bin is usually the culprit when a home doesn’t smell quite right. Here’s the trick: take the bag out, give the inside a quick spritz with all-purpose spray, and drop in a scoop of bicarb with 2–3 drops of essential oil.
No more mystery smells.
⏱ Time: 1 minute max
4. Steam-Clean with Scent
If you’ve got a steamer or mop with a refillable tank, try adding a few drops of essential oil to the water. Run it over the hallway floor or bathroom tiles and you’ll get instant clean-home vibes. We call this the cheat’s version of deep cleaning.
⏱ Time: 90 seconds
5. Upgrade Your Tea Towels
Scent clings to fabric, so switch out any musty towels, especially the ones in the kitchen and loo. If you’ve got a freshly washed one on hand, mist it lightly with a pillow spray or essential oil blend and hang it on the oven rail.
⏱ Time: 30 seconds
6. Hang Eucalyptus in the Shower
You’ve probably seen this on Pinterest or TikTok, and for good reason, it works. Tie a small bunch of eucalyptus to your shower head (away from direct water flow). The steam releases the oils, making your whole bathroom smell like a spa.
Bonus: it’s great for your sinuses and stress levels too.
⏱ Time: 60 seconds
Bonus: Clean One Scent Hotspot
Think door handles, the front of the fridge, or the spot where the dog likes to lie. A quick wipe with a gorgeous-smelling cleaner (hello Geranium All Purpose Spray) leaves an immediate impression. It’s like spraying perfume before heading out—but for your home.
⏱ Time: 45 seconds
Ready to Smell the Difference?
You don’t need synthetic air fresheners or fancy candles. Just smart tricks, beautiful scents, and a bottle of something that smells so good, you’ll actually look forward to cleaning.
Try the Colt & Willow bestsellers:
Smells good. Feels good. Works brilliantly.