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I want my house to smell delicious

30 replies

DarlingJo · 22/10/2025 14:44

When you walk in the door, I want people to say "it smells lovely in here".

What's your favourite home scent?

*disclaimer - I have plenty of other things I should be spending money on before smelly stuff, so links to £50 diffusers will probably be wasted on me.

OP posts:
NewtonsCradle · 22/10/2025 14:46

Get a bread maker.

buffyreboot · 22/10/2025 15:09

Valentte rosemary Reed diffuser
rituals mehr diffuser (not cheap though)

PermanentTemporary · 22/10/2025 15:11

Freesias
Make curries

Catpiece · 22/10/2025 15:11

I’m currently using a pumpkin spice plug in. Smells utterly gorgeous (and not expensive)

Peonies12 · 22/10/2025 15:14

Open the windows and get some house plants. Any artificial scents (diffusers, plug ins etc) are just kicking out chemicals into the air.

VictorianScreenTime · 22/10/2025 15:15

I’ve hopped on the valentte bandwagon too. I have a Turkish rose and sandalwood one and I certainly think it’s lovely.

Have yet to test drive it with a visitor coming into the house though which is the primary clinical endpoint really 🤔

edit to add that I do clean everywhere regularly and open windows for a bit everyday. But still have smell anxiety!

buffyreboot · 22/10/2025 15:17

Peonies12 · 22/10/2025 15:14

Open the windows and get some house plants. Any artificial scents (diffusers, plug ins etc) are just kicking out chemicals into the air.

Everything is a chemical, and a Reed diffuser with essential oils is probably less chemical than a memory foam mattress or a new sofa or paint fumes etc etc
you can still open the windows, I do every single day but I like a nice scent too (not a plug in as they reek to me)

strawgoh · 22/10/2025 15:18

Spray furniture polish on all the radiators.

Trappedatwork · 22/10/2025 15:53

In my house, the entrance has a little room off to the side, most of which which of storage. So when you walk in the front door, it smells a bit like dust, cardboard, and stale air. Not offensive, just not exactly a warm welcome.

I got a plug-in wax warmer and tucked it away behind a fake plant. It's hooked up to a smart plug, so it turns on twice a for a short time automatically, or I can just switch it on with my phone if I know guests are coming over.

Since it uses a lightbulb to warm the wax, I don't have to worry about a live flame, and it's not like those continuous air fresheners that I found a bit overpowering.

I'm always changing the wax melts, but right now, I'm using a croissant scent. It's quite subtle but seriously smells like fresh coffee and warm, buttery pastries straight from the oven.

Crikeyalmighty · 22/10/2025 15:54

I’m a fan of Rituals -like nearly all of them

DarlingJo · 23/10/2025 07:21

ooohh just what I wanted, I’m oddly excited about checking out some of these options. I might skip the food scents though.

As it happens, there is no shortage of houseplants here. In fact, there’s two in the hallway, but there’s zero scent. And I do have windows open a lot - house is a robbers dream. But my house smells of nothing and I want it to smell of…. Something. Just a gentle but noticeable smell that makes you smile when you walk in the front door.

I’ve never tried wax melts. I’m kind of tempted, but I do have a small person wondering around the house so a bit concerned he might be too interested in them.

OP posts:
Hurumphh · 23/10/2025 07:33

Natural scents are the best, so essential oils, and I’ve always found a candle burner is the best way to distribute the scent softly but effectively.

purpleygrey · 23/10/2025 07:35

Ritual and valentte candles are great.
also an oil diffuser

verybighouseinthecountry · 23/10/2025 07:36

Houseplants don't have any scent unless they are a scented flowering variety. Magazines always tell you that they keep the air pure and therefore fresh, but it has never worked in my house.
I make up a natural spritzer spray which leaves a very clean, fresh fragrance. In a spray bottle put about 1cm vodka (,or another spirit, this acts as an anti mold) then fill with water. Add 20 drops of any essential oils. I like neroli, bergamot and bay as a combination right now. I use a spray mop downstairs and also add essential oils to this.

Tassielassie · 23/10/2025 07:39

My trick is that I open windows every day winter or summer for between 15-30 minutes.
Last thing at night I burn an incense cone and that neutralises any food cooking smells and leaves a fresh light pleasant smell.
House is full of plants and I think that is why it seems to stay fresh.

TodayIWillChooseJoy · 23/10/2025 07:50

verybighouseinthecountry · 23/10/2025 07:36

Houseplants don't have any scent unless they are a scented flowering variety. Magazines always tell you that they keep the air pure and therefore fresh, but it has never worked in my house.
I make up a natural spritzer spray which leaves a very clean, fresh fragrance. In a spray bottle put about 1cm vodka (,or another spirit, this acts as an anti mold) then fill with water. Add 20 drops of any essential oils. I like neroli, bergamot and bay as a combination right now. I use a spray mop downstairs and also add essential oils to this.

I think I want to be you when I grow up! This sounds ideal.
Sadly, like a lot of other people diffusers trigger allergies and plug ins cause me headaches.

CurlsLDN · 23/10/2025 07:50

I love valentte too, great value for great quality essential oil diffusers.

for a cheap fix, this type of air freshener are great for a small space. I have a little porch and i tuck one of these away under our shoe unit, and everyone comments how nice it smells as soon as they walk in the door. I love the spiced apple scent this time of year!
https://www.asda.com/groceries/product/9305900?srsltid=AfmBOoq6L6M8Vygw75yH0s36OGLQJT-4RDqAwypiYd3f-4jL-Z7UglsZrPg

  • for the pp with the musty cupboard by the front door i think one of these put in there would solve your problem

- ASDA Groceries

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Aweekoffwork · 23/10/2025 07:57

Valentte - absolutely amazing!
I use the citrus room spray, diffuser, candles

Tallestone · 23/10/2025 07:58

I did used to have loads of candles and loved having scented ones lit to make the house smell nice. Since I've adopted a cat I've had to get rid of them and have gone onto soy wax melts I've currently got pumpkin spice in one and a little ghost in the other one that melted into a little witch. They smell really good.

buffyreboot · 23/10/2025 08:01

CurlsLDN · 23/10/2025 07:50

I love valentte too, great value for great quality essential oil diffusers.

for a cheap fix, this type of air freshener are great for a small space. I have a little porch and i tuck one of these away under our shoe unit, and everyone comments how nice it smells as soon as they walk in the door. I love the spiced apple scent this time of year!
https://www.asda.com/groceries/product/9305900?srsltid=AfmBOoq6L6M8Vygw75yH0s36OGLQJT-4RDqAwypiYd3f-4jL-Z7UglsZrPg

  • for the pp with the musty cupboard by the front door i think one of these put in there would solve your problem

I use those in my bathroom and they are really good
method rhubarb floor cleaner is another good scent

GameOfJones · 23/10/2025 08:03

I agree with soy wax melts. Have a look at Freckleface for good quality ones with natural fragrances. I have two electric wax melters that have timers so they automatically switch off after 2 hours so I'm not worrying about leaving a candle burning. I have one in the living room and one in the kitchen that I switch on when I'm cooking dinner as it helps neutralise food smells.

GlassofRosePorfavor · 23/10/2025 08:14

Aqua di Parma diffuser (so much money tho)

aqua di Elba diffuser. Mare I think the scent is. I stayed in this hotel in Florence

https://www.fhhotelgroup.it/en/hotel-calzaiuoli-firenze/index

and they had a shop opposite. The diffusers were in the rooms. If I close my eyes I can easily picture myself back there! I love how smells have such great power.

also yes to opening windows regularly. Zoflora down the drain last thing at night is surprisingly effective as well. I like the midnight blooms one

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Helphjjjjb · 23/10/2025 08:16

Peonies12 · 22/10/2025 15:14

Open the windows and get some house plants. Any artificial scents (diffusers, plug ins etc) are just kicking out chemicals into the air.

Completely agree. Jasmine is gorgeous.

Have a pot on the stove with some cinnamon, orange and cloves. Scents the whole house without chemicals.

The bread maker is a beautiful smell to wake up to on weekends.

Disturbia81 · 23/10/2025 08:19

The only homes I’ve walked into like that have been new builds with no pets or children and the people live like it’s a show home. For me it’s a constant battle, no matter how many sprays and washing fabrics

SemmaLina · 23/10/2025 08:23

I don’t like air fresheners / smelly plugs etc
Windows open to freshen the air , house plants ( which you already have and do )
A vase of freesias , pot of hyacinths , oranges , lemons in a bowl
I try and plant Paper whites narcissi to have over Christmas , rarely get the timing right though !
Buy yourself some nice hand cream , and bar soap to go on all the sinks
My theory is , if you smell nice , your house will too

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