How do I make my home smell nice without spending a fortune?

[Lottapianos]

I'm sick of buying candles and reed diffusers that smell of sod all. I had been buying the rhubarb ones from M&S which were fab but the latest pack smell of nothing. I could do candles or reed diffusers, nothing smoky like joss sticks etc. Any recommendations? Ta

Fresh air as much as possible and no dust. Zoflora has it's place (like cleaning the floor and sink) but it isn't imo an air freshener, it's pretty potent and not safe neat.

I have a wax burner that I put on in the lounge and candles for the kitchen, fragrances vary but I try to keep everything from the same group/family or it gets a bit overwhelming/clashing I think. The wax burners are easy to use, mine is mains powered sold at a party to support a friend (Well get rippped off but that's another story) and I thought you needed the matching expensive waxes but any will do actually.

Wax melts. Get a glade melted from b&m for £5 Then there's a million companies making the melts in every scent you can think of.

My personal favourite is pretty candles and wax. Affordable, nice potent scents and people comment how nice my house smells.

I've got a gorgeous Parma violets on the go in the living room and a jo Malone lime basil and Mandarin dupe in the hall at the moment.

'Yes, nice essential oil such as geranium, few drops on a tissue, place on radiator, job done and no nasty chemicals.'

This is exactly the sort of thing I was after. Thanks, and thanks to everyone who recommended similar

I've got an old fashioned ceramic burner that you put water and essential oils in and a tealight underneath. It definitely works better than candles at creating a noticeable smell - and much cheaper than expensive candles.

It does initially cost a lot but the big yankee candle usually lasts me around 2-3 months burning from around 4pm-11pm every day.
They are costly at almost £20 but you can get discounts on their website for 'last season' scents.
They are the only thing that I find makes my whole house smell lovely and fresh. Vanilla scents are usually the strongest but their fresh linen or baby powder ones are just as good. They are worth buying if you are constantly buying replacements for oil burners or air fresheners.

I swear by Home Bargains own brand candles
The big jar is only £2.99 and lasts weeks
Used to spend a fortune on expensive candles but these are just as good if not better

I also clean my surfaces like my dining table / sideboards with my own cleaning spray made up with water / bleach and fresh linen zoflora ( I totally did this before Mrs Himch though )

Also have every upstairs window open on the safety latch setting during the day ( where it just clips open a little to let breeze in )

I love the air wick fig and blackberry reed Diffuser, lovely smell and lasts ages. Also use Yankee candle melts in a plug in melted, and open windows every morning or afternoon and back door if it’s not too cold. I have dogs so a bit obsessed with smells, I even spray the dogs with Jollyes pet cologne in Duke lol.. people actually comment on how nice my dogs smell.

good wax polish & I put/flush scented automatic powder down plug hole in sinks -

I quite like the diffusers from Next. They seem quite strong- at least DH quite often asks me to put them at the far side of the room as his sensitive nose needs them at a distance.

Use lenor spring awakening fabric softener and hang a couple of things you’ve washed over hot radiators. Or use a diluted mixture of it to wash down woodwork / doors etc. People always comment on how nice our home smells and that’s what we do!

Definitely windows open. And I've discovered the £3.99 candles in Aldi. They are fantastic.

I really recommend the Method cleaning products. You don’t need much but the scent lasts and lasts! The kitchen and bathroom sprays are essential in my house.

If you want your room to smell nice you have to pay for quality candles and/or Reed diffusers. They use good quantities of proper essential oils. If you buy a cheap £5 candle, it will be full of synthetic, cheap smelling yuck. Who wants their house smelling of cheap perfume?

I'm in the minority here, in that I can't bear sickly artificial smells such as scented candles, diffusers, oil burners, perfume, fabric softeners etc etc. To me, they are all just so much air pollution!

There are other, much nicer smells to be had. How about freshly ground coffee? Bread baking? Peeled oranges? Or, just open all the windows and doors and let some fresh air in.

If you’re already using reed diffusers/ candles it probably smells lovely already it might just be that you’re used to the smell, I find the best thing is to change the scent often so you notice it.

good quality essential oils aren't artificial. that's the appeal.

I'm with you 80'smum just don't like the synthetic smells. Open windows, clean house and the logs and woodburner. Cosy natural smell.

For those who struggle to get wax melts out with a knife, pop the burner in the fridge for half an hour and they literally slide out. SO SATISFYING!

Zoflora is your friend.