5 All-Natural Home Deodorizing Recipes

In a house full of kids and pets, a regular and thorough cleaning regimen is a must. Unfortunately, many standard cleaning products and air fresheners contain harmful chemicals that can affect our health long-term. In fact, over 20% of the population has reported having adverse health effects from air fresheners. 

Common household products like air fresheners can contribute significantly to indoor air pollution and can also stick to and be absorbed by furniture, walls, carpets, and more.

Although they may smell nice, cutting out chemical air fresheners from your cleaning routine is a healthy habit that will leave your home not only more pleasant for friends and family, but also safer for you and your kids’ health.

Thankfully, there are plenty of natural, DIY solutions to rid your house of lingering smells without the use of chemical cleaners. With these essential oils recipes and a couple of simple household ingredients, you’re ready to deodorize any room. 

1. Natural Room Spray

This natural room spray makes for a versatile weapon against lingering smells. All you need for this recipe is:

• 3 drops of essential oils
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Distilled water

After you mix everything together, add it to a spray bottle and you’re ready to freshen up your living space. Spritz the solution liberally around the room as much as needed.

2. Carpet Refresher Solution

From musty odors to stinky pet smells, carpets tend to capture the worst of odors. In this case, this fall-inspired natural carpet refresher solution is the way to go. For this cleaning recipe you will need:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 shaker container

Mix your ingredients together in a shaker (like an empty and clean parmesan cheese container) and you will have a powdery solution that can negate any annoying carpet smell.  Simply sprinkle your cleaning remedy onto the carpet, let it sit for about an hour, vacuum it up, and your carpet will smell like Christmas cookies.

3. Microwave Oven Refresher

Old food is a common source for some of the worst smells. Particularly, when a microwave hasn’t been cleaned for a long time, it can lead to odors that just won’t go away. To help solve this conundrum, create a microwave oven refresher using:

• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 cup of water
• Microwave-safe bowl.

Fill the bowl with your baking soda and water and heat it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. The resulting steam will loosen up any filth stuck to the microwave’s walls. Carefully remove the bowl and clean the walls with paper towels that contain a few drops of orange essential oil for a fresh scent.

4. Washing Machine Cleaner

In a house full of kids, the washing machine has probably seen better days. Washers are a humid environment prone to a build-up of dirt, hair, and soap. To get rid of this problem, a simple mixture of common household products and essential oils should do the trick:

• 3 to 4 cups of white vinegar 
• ½ cup of baking soda
• 20 drops of essential oils

First, use vinegar to wipe down any debris that may be present, like in the rubber liner or gasket. Then, pour this mixture into the detergent tray and run a cycle on the hottest setting — without clothes! When the cycle is done, wipe down any remaining moisture with a cloth to prevent new mildew growth.

5. DIY Simmer Pot Air Freshener

After cleaning and deodorizing the smelly areas of your home, this natural simmer pot air freshener is a great way to ensure your home stays smelling fresh and odor-free. All you need for this recipe is:

• 1 sliced orange
• 1 sliced lemon
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves

Toss your ingredients into a pot on the stove, fill the pot about halfway with water, and heat the mixture on a low setting. Let your solution sit for the day and add more water as needed. As the ingredients cook, your house will be filled with a pleasant, seasonal aroma — perfect before holiday gatherings with friends and family.

Using these recipes, you can keep your house smelling good while keeping your family safe from harmful chemicals found in traditional cleaners.

For more natural deodorizing remedies and essential oil recommendations, check out this guide from TurboTenant below.