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How do I make my house smell lovely?

(108 Posts)
grannyrebel7 Sun 05-Jan-20 16:16:02

How do I make my house smell lovely? I've tried everything pot pourri, air fresheners, essential oils. those reed things etc. But after a short while the smell just goes. I'm not saying my house smells horrible but just smells of nothing. I want to be able to open my front door to a really lovely smell every time I come home. I've been in other people's houses and they seem able to achieve this.

winifred01 Wed 19-Feb-25 14:06:56

Have some sarccoccosas(sp) Christmas box, from my garden, in vase- smells delicious!

Earthmother9 Wed 19-Feb-25 14:53:48

Incense!.

MayBee70 Wed 19-Feb-25 14:56:20

I thought that Zoflora was poisonous to dogs?

NonGrannyMoll Wed 19-Feb-25 14:58:36

Don't bother. Unless you live like pigs (no offence meant), nobody will be offended that it doesn't smell like chemical scenting agents. In fact, with allergies being so rife now, some visitors will probably be grateful for the untainted air!

Aldom Wed 19-Feb-25 15:01:55

I thought Zoflora was a thing of the past. I've never used it, but I have been in someone's home, older person, years ago, they used it. Horrible smell.

TeamMorgan Wed 19-Feb-25 17:10:59

Quick caution if using artificial fragrances: some are toxic to pets. A little research will keep everyone healthy and happy!

Oreo Wed 19-Feb-25 17:18:09

3nanny6

I have been in several homes of friends and they use the scented plug ins which I thought were very nice.
I liked scented candles myself but after awhile the smell evaporates away.
I bought a couple of the scented plug ins and looked forward to a nice smelling house but only problem was the over exuberant dogs at walk time tails wagging like leather whips which dislodged the plug ins from the plug base so thought this could get dangerous for the dogs as all chemical additives so gave up and left it for fresh flowers and candles used as and when.

I use a couple of plug ins around the house, set to the lowest level they last a long time.I use a reed diffuser in the lounge.

Oreo Wed 19-Feb-25 17:19:26

Aldom

I thought Zoflora was a thing of the past. I've never used it, but I have been in someone's home, older person, years ago, they used it. Horrible smell.

There are many Zoflora scents now, a few are lovely.

madeleine45 Wed 19-Feb-25 17:20:32

I stick with the old ways, and never use scented air fresheners, which I personally loathe. My choice is that I always dry my clothes outside on the line, even if I have to finish them off inside. Cant beat the clean air smell. Open windows for a time every day, depending on weather of course but try to open in the mornings where possible. Love the ordinary old proper furniture polish in lavender or the saddle soap smell. What is cleaned is fed and looks lovely and smells good. Always have a coffee smell as ground coffee is what I use. Enjoy the smell of cherry blossom shoe polish, and am very aware of whatever the smells are. Dont care for artificial supposed added perfumes. Do most of my cooking from scratch so of course get the cooking smells too. So am usually happy with the smell of my place.

Mojack26 Wed 19-Feb-25 17:27:34

Agree with you. Same as the 'pearls' and softness in washing machine. Only smell nice when washed and still damp...up to.6 weeks the advert says! Really??? Who wears clothes fir 6 weeks! 😂😂

MayBee70 Wed 19-Feb-25 17:30:54

TeamMorgan

Quick caution if using artificial fragrances: some are toxic to pets. A little research will keep everyone healthy and happy!

I started spraying peppermint everywhere after various insect/mouse infestations only to find that it is toxic to dogs. I was also scattering bay leaves around to deter flour mites only to find they were toxic to dogs also ( and my dog will eat anything…).

Toetoe Wed 19-Feb-25 18:26:14

Simple tip . Pure essential oil such as lemongrass . Two drops into your toilet . Smells divine and lasts till the next flush.

Sarahr Wed 19-Feb-25 18:37:15

You get used to scents. You will become "nose blind" after a while do just keep changing the scents you use.

Cossy Wed 19-Feb-25 18:48:46

I use essential oils, my favourite is orange oil

Norah Wed 19-Feb-25 18:49:30

Perhaps try simmering cinnamon sticks in water.

Don't allow the water to simmer dry.

Aldom Wed 19-Feb-25 18:54:18

Oreo thank you for the update on Zoflora. I'll investigate next time I'm shopping. smile

Juicylucy Wed 19-Feb-25 21:10:11

I never found a reed diffuser any good. I use vanilla scented drops into a candle burner house smells lovely you can buy all sorts of scents. Sainsburys and MS do them in there homeware dept.

MayBee70 Wed 19-Feb-25 22:48:24

The reason why Zoflora is in so many older peoples homes is that it’s been around for over 100 years so most people have grown up with it. It’s anti viral and anti bacterial so I think a lot of people started using it during the pandemic ( I know I did).

sazz1 Wed 19-Feb-25 22:50:58

I don't use any of these.

Allalongagatha Thu 20-Feb-25 10:24:10

Arran sense of Scotland do a diffuser called After the Rain. I put mine in my sitting room in November and there is still more than half left. It still smells. It might seem expensive but it is excellent value for money.

IamMaz Thu 20-Feb-25 13:33:49

I love all these suggestions as I want my house to smell nice, especially on entry - just like OP.
I have used many things in the past but nothing seems to actually last…
I bought a mini slow cooker (it’s tiny!!!) and fill it with water and add a spray or two of an essential oil. Obviously I keep an eye on the water level as it evaporates during the day. I just top it up with a kettle of hot water and another few drops of oil at night. This method currently suits me. (I can ‘hide’ the slow cooker in my hallway!). The perfume (orange oil) wafts upstairs too.

Primrose53 Thu 20-Feb-25 16:30:28

My Mum was Zoflora Queen! She had bowel cancer twice and a colostomy and was obsessed with keeping clean and hygienic and having the house smelling fresh and pleasant.

She had her favourite Zofloras and always kept a stock in.
All visitors remarked on how lovely everywhere smelled.
I have used it for years too. The orange one is lovely, so is the lemon and some if them now have very fancy names and are gorgeous.

Crossstitchfan Thu 20-Feb-25 16:34:15

grannyrebel7

How do I make my house smell lovely? I've tried everything pot pourri, air fresheners, essential oils. those reed things etc. But after a short while the smell just goes. I'm not saying my house smells horrible but just smells of nothing. I want to be able to open my front door to a really lovely smell every time I come home. I've been in other people's houses and they seem able to achieve this.

You can get used to smells around you, to the point where you just don’t smell them any more.
I’m sure, from what you’ve said about what you do to make the house smell lovely, that it actually does! Try asking a friend or relative what it smells like.

JaneJudge Thu 20-Feb-25 16:37:05

I have some air diffusers which are good. They are a light too

M0nica Thu 20-Feb-25 19:06:55

What makes anyone think any artificial sweetening process would be successful?

The best smell in a house, is no smell at all or the smell of fresh air. There is nothing I like less than going into a house that stinks of artificial scents