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Lovely smelling homes

191 replies

ToysRus56 · 26/04/2025 23:38

How do some homes smell so nice! Sort of across between clean laundry and freshly baked cakes?! I hate anything scented so don't like buying diffusers etc. We do washing several times a week and our home never smells like this!

OP posts:
gotmyknickersinatwist · 27/04/2025 23:55

1SillySossij · 27/04/2025 02:38

Everyone is noseblind to their own house

Not me. I frequently walk in through the door and go 'ugh! What's that smell?!'

Hastentoadd · 27/04/2025 23:53

ToysRus56 · 27/04/2025 23:09

Thank you everyone. This all seems completely wild to me! I swear I clean all the time, feels like that anyway - but never things like rugs, cushions, blankets, blinds?! This must be where I'm going wrong and definitely not enough air flow. Any sort of incense gives me headaches annoyingly, but I'm going to ramp up my cleaning efforts as it means quite a lot to me bizarrely. My childhood home was always a bit grubby I could sometimes feel quite ashamed. I used to be quite envious when you'd go to other peoples homes and it was the same smell I noticed in my friend's house - freshly baked cakes and laundry. That's the sort of home I want to create for my children, and for myself. But bloody hell, when do you all find the time to do this in?! Anyway, I diligently opened every window in my house today and it does smell a bit fresher already. I'm going round smelling everything now, scarves, coats, nothing will be safe.

It’s the soft furnishings / beddings/ rugs / carpets / curtains/ dirty laundry that will get you….the fabrics soak up smells, hard surfaces not so much as they can easily be wiped down and mopped

Catpuss66 · 27/04/2025 23:52

I would like to know what very upmarket houses use in their loos other than disgusting rim blocks or cages, Any ideas?

SwedishEdith · 27/04/2025 23:13

The only time I really notice if someone's house smells nice is if there's a washing powder smell.

ToysRus56 · 27/04/2025 23:09

Thank you everyone. This all seems completely wild to me! I swear I clean all the time, feels like that anyway - but never things like rugs, cushions, blankets, blinds?! This must be where I'm going wrong and definitely not enough air flow. Any sort of incense gives me headaches annoyingly, but I'm going to ramp up my cleaning efforts as it means quite a lot to me bizarrely. My childhood home was always a bit grubby I could sometimes feel quite ashamed. I used to be quite envious when you'd go to other peoples homes and it was the same smell I noticed in my friend's house - freshly baked cakes and laundry. That's the sort of home I want to create for my children, and for myself. But bloody hell, when do you all find the time to do this in?! Anyway, I diligently opened every window in my house today and it does smell a bit fresher already. I'm going round smelling everything now, scarves, coats, nothing will be safe.

OP posts:
AllTheChaos · 27/04/2025 23:09

My windows are always open to try to mitigate the smell of elderly, semi-continent tomcat. All my rugs, cushion covers and throws are washed at least weekly due to said feline. But I love him and would rather have a slightly whiffy house than be without him!

FedupofArsenalgame · 27/04/2025 23:06

TimeForABreak4 · 27/04/2025 11:05

My neighbour walked in to my house yesterday and said it smells amazing in here. I had the tumble drier on and use the lenor gold orchid scent boosters and had just steam mopped the floors (which I do every day) and put a few drop of Astonish pink roses disinfectant in. Also buy the pomegranate aldi candles and have one in the hall and lounge just with the lid off and can smell them even when not lit.

I like the Astonish linen disinfectant. My DD has now stolen my spray bottle of it so must buy more. I always have windows open unless it's tipping down. When my son was a teenagers I went in that room and opened them wide whener he left the house lol.

StScholastica · 27/04/2025 22:56

No smoking or vaping.
Fish cooked outside.
Hardwood floors not carpets.
Rugs and soft furnishings washed monthly.
Beds changed weekly.

Keep on top of home maintenance, so no leaks or mould.

CalleOcho · 27/04/2025 22:50

How do some homes smell so nice!

No pets.
No children.
No men.
Ventilation.
Clean floors, carpets, skirting boards, rugs, furnishings.
Dusted walls, door frames, heights.
Ventilation.
Not cooking things with lots of spices/garlic etc.
When cooking anything - windows OPEN.
Clean bathroom.
Ventilation.
Windows open when showering/baths.
Scented candles/wax melts,
Have I mentioned ventilation?

Leafy3 · 27/04/2025 22:45

I have a friend with a couple of dogs, she's neurotic about her house smelling doggy. Consequently the windows are open 24/7 all year round (provided someone's home) and all the linens are washed once a week without fail. Hers is the freshest-smelling home I've ever known

She also hot on dusting so, you know...😇😄

Edited to say - steer clear of plugin air fresheners, you might find one you like the smell of but it's so individual and to a lot of people they're overpowering and chemical-y.

fennelli · 27/04/2025 22:32

Our home smells really nice, despite the puppy!

Lots of fresh air, doors and windows open all over the house
Lots of clean laundry dried outside
I bake bread several times a week
We use essential oils in hand soap
I spritz essential oil in water occasionally
Spray doorframes/windows with mint essential oil/water (keeps out too many insects)
Vacuum all the time Grin

k1233 · 27/04/2025 22:32

I've got these reed diffusers in rose (my favourite), vanilla and lemon grass. They smell so nice. When I have visitors I use a tea light oil diffuser.

https://tilleysoaps.com.au/collections/reed-diffuser

Air flow is important and opening doors and windows to get cross breezes to move the stale air out.

Reed Diffusers

Looking for the perfect home fragrance? Our triple-scented reed diffusers last for up to 6 months. View our range of diffusers today. Shop online now.

https://tilleysoaps.com.au/collections/reed-diffuser

Leafy3 · 27/04/2025 22:22

Thank you @sunnydayz43 I totally agree with you! I also love cleaning the bathroom because I love to shower in a gleaming space.

Hoovering the stairs, however, can do one quite frankly so I'm considering taking the carpet up as sweeping would be so much easier!

Leafy3 · 27/04/2025 22:19

Foolsgold74 · 27/04/2025 22:10

You're not keeping on top of dust if you're only cleaning your skirting boards twice a year.

I explicitly said I wasn't great at keeping on top of dust but I also have a physical disability which makes housework challenging enough and I can't afford a cleaner, so... one does what one can.

Feel free to come and clean them for me if it would save you from judging 😉

sunnydayz43 · 27/04/2025 22:12

Laundry is my favourite domestic chore because of how it makes the house smell.

Oh me too @Leafy3 !
I love hanging my family's laundry outside throughout the year.
It always has a different, and totally natural outdoorsy scent when I air the laundry inside, depending on the season.
In the winter the clothes freeze dry and everything smells really fresh for a few hours.
Loved your detailed post!
I do much of what you do as well, except burning incense which I used to do years ago.
We do have cats and for the reasons you mentioned I decided it was not worth worrying about how it affected them.
Glad you mentioned it for others to consider though!

Foolsgold74 · 27/04/2025 22:10

Leafy3 · 27/04/2025 21:39

Another one to extol the virtues of daily airing with open windows. It is the single biggest difference you can make.

I sleep with the bedroom window open on all but the very coldest nights, the bathroom window is opened with every shower /bath and I encourage others to open it when using the loo (which are cleaned daily - as is the kitchen sink).

As soon as we get the first signs of spring then the back door is opened daily, too, for at least a couple of hours and at the weekends or if working from home I open as many windows as the temperature allows to get a cross breeze through the house. Any bedroom in use should have the window open for at least 10 minutes a day all year round.

I bake my own bread and laundry is dried outside as much of the year as possible. Even in the winter, if its dry hang it outside for an hour - it picks up a beautiful clean scent before it's dried indoors. Laundry is my favourite domestic chore because of how it makes the house smell.

For polishing wood, use beeswax. White vinegar for glass etc. Drains (plugholes) freshened regularly with soda crystals. If you have a stainless steel sink or draining board, polish out any rust marks with a little lemon juice and bicarb.

I like a cheap bunch of flowers with my weekly shop.

On the rare occasion I use a fabric conditioner, I choose wiltons which gives a lovely, gentle scent.

Bicarb of soda in a dish alongside half a lemon keeps the fridge smelling fresh. I'll also sprinkle a little bicarb in sweaty shoes before airing, and you can also use on carpets or rugs before hoovering.

Cotton mattress, duvet and pillow protectors all help prevent bedding getting smelly. Duvets & pillows are aired weekly. In the middle of winter, all blankets, throws, cushions, duvets, get left on the line outside for at least a few hours but preferably overnight, when there's a hard frost. This helps kill any dust mites and keep them fresh. I do this once or twice a winter, depending on ability.

I tend to leave candles and incense to the winter months these days but opt for the most expensive I can afford and choose a gentle scent.

In the kitchen I keep pots of fresh herbs which always smell wonderful - especially mint & basil.

Everyone gets fresh towels at least once a week - more often if they get dirty quickly or don't dry properly between use. They need to be left open to dry, no good folding them up and hanging on the heated towel rail - they end up smelling funky.

Aim to clean wood work (such as skirting boards) at least twice a year. Definitely a chore to enlist your kids for! I loathe hoovering under sofa and chair cushions so I don't do it weekly but often enough to prevent crumbs and stuff building up.

I'm not great at things like dusting but it makes a difference if you keep on top of dust too.

Edited

You're not keeping on top of dust if you're only cleaning your skirting boards twice a year.

Anewdawnanewname · 27/04/2025 21:49

I keep buying diffusers and I can’t smell them in my house. I could smell a M&S apothecary one in a friend’s house and so bought a couple for mine, but just can’t smell them.

Screamingabdabz · 27/04/2025 21:46

If people have told you your house smells nice and you have a dog, I promise you, they’re lying. Or they’re a minger and don’t know the difference.

Eldermillennialmum · 27/04/2025 21:44

I kind of get what you mean as I wouldn't cook or eat in pyjamas and then wear them to bed as I'd think they were dirty or smell but I would still sit on the sofa. Then again we have leather sofas and I wipe them clean regularly.

Gingernaut · 27/04/2025 21:42

Sorry, your post reminded me of this

Arcane Grande on SNL, going into captures over the smell of her best friend's house...

Leafy3 · 27/04/2025 21:42

If you have pets, be careful about burning essential oils as these can be very toxic for them. Check what you want to burn is OK first and don't overdo it

ChocolateCinderToffee · 27/04/2025 21:40

Lots of fresh air and Fragonard diffusers in my house, except in the bathroom where it's a lavender one from John Lewis. Also I use This Works pillow spray in the bedroom and it's lovely.

Leafy3 · 27/04/2025 21:39

Another one to extol the virtues of daily airing with open windows. It is the single biggest difference you can make.

I sleep with the bedroom window open on all but the very coldest nights, the bathroom window is opened with every shower /bath and I encourage others to open it when using the loo (which are cleaned daily - as is the kitchen sink).

As soon as we get the first signs of spring then the back door is opened daily, too, for at least a couple of hours and at the weekends or if working from home I open as many windows as the temperature allows to get a cross breeze through the house. Any bedroom in use should have the window open for at least 10 minutes a day all year round.

I bake my own bread and laundry is dried outside as much of the year as possible. Even in the winter, if its dry hang it outside for an hour - it picks up a beautiful clean scent before it's dried indoors. Laundry is my favourite domestic chore because of how it makes the house smell.

For polishing wood, use beeswax. White vinegar for glass etc. Drains (plugholes) freshened regularly with soda crystals. If you have a stainless steel sink or draining board, polish out any rust marks with a little lemon juice and bicarb.

I like a cheap bunch of flowers with my weekly shop.

On the rare occasion I use a fabric conditioner, I choose wiltons which gives a lovely, gentle scent.

Bicarb of soda in a dish alongside half a lemon keeps the fridge smelling fresh. I'll also sprinkle a little bicarb in sweaty shoes before airing, and you can also use on carpets or rugs before hoovering.

Cotton mattress, duvet and pillow protectors all help prevent bedding getting smelly. Duvets & pillows are aired weekly. In the middle of winter, all blankets, throws, cushions, duvets, get left on the line outside for at least a few hours but preferably overnight, when there's a hard frost. This helps kill any dust mites and keep them fresh. I do this once or twice a winter, depending on ability.

I tend to leave candles and incense to the winter months these days but opt for the most expensive I can afford and choose a gentle scent.

In the kitchen I keep pots of fresh herbs which always smell wonderful - especially mint & basil.

Everyone gets fresh towels at least once a week - more often if they get dirty quickly or don't dry properly between use. They need to be left open to dry, no good folding them up and hanging on the heated towel rail - they end up smelling funky.

Aim to clean wood work (such as skirting boards) at least twice a year. Definitely a chore to enlist your kids for! I loathe hoovering under sofa and chair cushions so I don't do it weekly but often enough to prevent crumbs and stuff building up.

I'm not great at things like dusting but it makes a difference if you keep on top of dust too.

ShockedandStunnedRepeatedly · 27/04/2025 21:32

Big one for me is: a v small bin under the sink that I empty and clean regularly. Compost emptied daily, Fridge kept clear of yukky stuff.

CarefulN0w · 27/04/2025 21:18

I agree with the fresh air comments, and also think not having damp washing or towels is important, as is putting the washing machine on a hot wash regularly to get rid of any lingering bacteria.