Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

How do I make my house smell lovely?

(62 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.

bingo12 Sun 05-Jan-20 16:19:43

Use scented furniture polish - also scented candles.

MawB Sun 05-Jan-20 16:26:15

Fresh flowers, (hyacinths at the moment), fresh air, washing dried on the line, Aldi No. 1 Jo Malone lookalike (smells like) scented reeds - Lime, Basil and Mandarine.

Chestnut Sun 05-Jan-20 16:28:07

I'm just about to try a scented oil diffuser which uses essential oils in water and puffs them into the air. The one I've bought is wood grain and looks attractive. Search 'scented oil diffusers' on Amazon.

Norah Sun 05-Jan-20 16:29:05

I like this www.amazon.co.uk/Aromatique-SMELL-SPRING-Aerosol-Spray/dp/B00PD1AZOW?tag=gransnetforum-21

aggie Sun 05-Jan-20 16:30:13

Change the scent often , you get used to one scent and can’t smell it after a while

Of course you do air the place and make sure cooking odours etc are dispelled ?

Greeneyedgirl Sun 05-Jan-20 16:31:24

I personally wouldn't want my home to be filled with artificial fragrances, most of which contain a toxic mix of chemicals. Candles, plug ins, air fresheners, diffusers, all are bad for health, especially for young children, asthmatics or those with lung conditions. Look it up!
Just open windows. Artificial chemicals just mask normal smells.

Chestnut Sun 05-Jan-20 16:32:21

The problem with scented candles if that they give off toxins which you inhale and which are really bad for you. I think some candles are better. Same with those Airwick sprays which squirt every few minutes. These things are okay now and then but not for breathing in all the time.

GrannyLaine Sun 05-Jan-20 16:34:22

Greeneyedgirl I totally agree. Harmful to pets too.

grannyticktock Sun 05-Jan-20 16:35:13

I bought myself a scented candle recently, but after burning it for an hour or so, I started to wheeze and snuffle.

Chestnut Sun 05-Jan-20 16:37:46

An article on the subject:
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/scenting-our-homes-could-ruin-our-lungs-claims-new-research-so-best-open-a-window-a6891916.html

Chestnut Sun 05-Jan-20 16:40:18

An article on diffusers:
www.alyaka.com/magazine/effects-room-diffusers-overall-wellness/

Flamingo Sun 05-Jan-20 16:44:30

I use a melts burner with melts wax in sweet pea flavour, absolutely beautiful smell, all on Amazon

CosyCrafter Sun 05-Jan-20 16:45:27

You can reduce the problems somewhat by using natural wax, soy, beeswax and the likes candles with natural wicks, scented with essential oils. The burning itself of anything even an untreated cotton wick will produce carbon partilcles but dangers can lessen considerably. Getting a good scent throw with essential oils is a bit hit and miss but can be done. Also you can make you own room spray with essential oils, mix and match as you like with just some water and alcohol. If you don't want to make your own candles or sprays there are lots of crafters out there who do use as much natural products as possible and sell their products.

DoraMarr Sun 05-Jan-20 16:51:07

Yes, we have to be careful with scented candles and reed diffusers. I was alarmed to see that a scented candle someone bought me for Christmas one year had, in small print on the bottom, “harmful to aquatic life”, so now I look very carefully. Beeswax is generally safe, and the vegetable oil candles from Cereria Molla are nice and, apparently safe. I get mine from Home Sense stores, if they have any in. I have asthma and they don’t affect me. Reed diffusers from Neom are lovely too, and last for ages.

Namsnanny Sun 05-Jan-20 17:03:35

Depends on what you want to spend.

Buy freesias once a fortnight. Keep them topped up with cool water and in the hall way. That way you smell them as soon as you enter and providing your stairs are in the hall, before you go to bed. Lovely!

Also this time of year cut narcissus (forgotten the name but has strong fresh floral scent).
I once had visitors who couldn't believe the fragrance was from these little flowers.

I cant live without fresh flowers with a fragrance in my home.

grannymy Sun 05-Jan-20 17:08:02

I'm a good scented candle user. Pay a wee bit more and the smell filters through the house. I'm sure your house smells nice anyway. Sometimes we go nose blind.

NotAGran55 Sun 05-Jan-20 17:19:24

Vanilla extract warmed in the oven smells amazing.

annep1 Sun 05-Jan-20 17:20:23

I don't think we should use candles etc all the time. I light some and use a plug in oil thingy if we have visitors coming. I open all the windows every morning while the beds are airing and leave all the (interior) doors open for the fresh air to circulate.
I do like candles in the evening but I try to limit it.

tidyskatemum Sun 05-Jan-20 17:33:37

I’m another fan of the Aldi Lime, basil and mandarin reed diffuser. It smells wonderful and must be about the cheapest of its type.

Yennifer Sun 05-Jan-20 17:39:52

I mix my fabric softener with water and use it as a room spray, makes my house smell clean, very cheap and saves plastic in the long run x

TrendyNannie6 Sun 05-Jan-20 17:40:51

When you rads are on put small amount of zoflora or fabric conditioner and wipe over them the smell lasts ages

TrendyNannie6 Sun 05-Jan-20 17:41:16

On a cloth and wipe over

Greeneyedgirl Sun 05-Jan-20 17:56:05

I don't want to be a kill joy, but I would be very very wary about warming fabric softener, which is a mixture of various chemical and diffusing it around the house. It is bad enough when it is in clothing. These are not natural smells but chemical compounds.

rosenoir Sun 05-Jan-20 18:10:42

Aldi reed diffuser, rosenoir fragrance, its where my name comes from.