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Original poster

To ask how you get your house to smell nice?

84 replies

SomeOtherUser · 08/03/2026 09:23

Posting here for traffic!

As you all probably know, every house has a certain smell. It's hard to perceive your own home's signature scent, but I suspect ours isn't great. We're not the cleanest or tidiest; we have kids and a cat; we have (not very clean!) carpets; we have a washing machine that insists on smelling like stale bog when running for some reason. I'm making it my mission this spring to get our house smelling nice.

Aside from the obvious (i.e. regular and thorough cleaning), I would welcome any tips to give a house (and laundry) a long-lasting pleasant smell.

OP posts:
AllSlippersareBanned · 08/03/2026 09:33

Windows and doors open as much as possible. We don’t have trickle vents, but if we did, they’d be permanently open.

We just keep everything very clean. We have 2 dogs, so I’m paranoid, even though they’re not shiny coated so aren’t smelly. Floors mopped with Zoflora. Cushion covers washed once a month. Dog bedding washed weekly. Grilles in extractor hood put in the dishwasher regularly (I noticed they smell greasy if smelly food cooked).

Ilovemyshed · 08/03/2026 09:32

Start with shampooing the carpets and cleaning the washing machine (run on a hot cycle empty with a cleaner and clean all the filters, seals and drawer). Then top to bottom the house cleaning windows, skirting boards, sorting cupboards and polishing furniture. Then maintain it 🤷🏽‍♀️

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 08/03/2026 09:32

Drains can smell sulphurous, particularly if they aren't in constant use, so I put a dot of Zoflora down plugholes and through the washing machine every now and then. I have rugs rather than carpets which I take outside to air for a couple of days when the weather is good. I open my windows at least once a day, wash sofa throws and cushion covers regularly and the dog's bed lives upstairs where nobody needs to go - because it stinks.

I prefer the smell of natural things, flowers and clean washing, rather than fake smells like fabric softener, but i do admit to using essential oil on a cloth to dust around and wipe surfaces. Anything lemony seems to help.

Newgirls · 08/03/2026 09:32

Open windows and doors for as long as you can each day. Again after cooking. Carpets and fabric sofas cleaned every few months. Boring but only way!

faerylights · 08/03/2026 09:31

There’s no cheat or quick fix - you just need to keep a clean house. Everything else just masks the smell and you end up with artificial smelling dirt.

Doggymummar · 08/03/2026 09:28

I have a carper shampooer that we use periodically work from home so windows and patio door open all day and wax melts on. Our house smells of oud cos that the signature scent

Copperoliverbear · 08/03/2026 09:27

Fairy softner has a great smell and lingers around the house, you can give the radiators a wipe with it too. X

BlueMum16 · 08/03/2026 09:26

Cleaning and open windows.

Anything else is just masking the smell.

Why are your carpets dirty? Why does your washing machine smell? Not trying to be rude but your house sounds awful by your own words.

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 08/03/2026 09:24

Laundry has to dry quickly and fully, use heat in the winter and if you can’t hang them outside in the sun.

Run a dettol cleaner through an empty cycle on a high temperature and always leave the door open to dry the machine out

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