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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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.

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!

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 😉

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!

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

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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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

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:
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.

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?

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

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?!'

Shoezembagsforever · 28/04/2025 00:04

@ToysRus56I’m wondering if the PPs telling you to clean ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING have dogs, because it sounds completely OTT to me.

The best smelling home I know bar none is my sisters in London. She doesn’t have children or pets and has hardwood floors. As far as I know she hoovers, dusts, changes bedding and cleans bathroom suite weekly, but that’s it.

She does have an awful lot of very expensive scented candles around that have been gifts from friends over the years, but she’s never lit them. Her and her DH also use a selection of very expensive perfumes too. So I think it’s just that combination really.

Zone2NorthLondon · 28/04/2025 00:17

NO pets they all stink and they have fleas.
Neom diffuser. White company Seychelles spray, Scented candles. Plug in fresheners discreetly dotted about
Open windows to air
Extractlr on,window open when cook
Hard flooring.Easy to maintain and clean

Leafy3 · 28/04/2025 00:23

@ToysRus56 I sympathise on fitting it all in! I mentioned in an earlier post I have a physical disability, and since developing it I've had to let my standards drop since I simply can't keep up with everything I used to do as frequently as I used to do it.

But opening windows is easy and effortless, once you get into a routine of opening them when you're home and closing before you leave , you won't even think about it.

Laundry I do on rotation and its fairly constant so it's just as well I take pleasure from it. I genuinely feel excited as soon as weather is good enough to dry it outside lol

As far as baking smells go, when you have time to make some biscuit dough then precut it and freeze it in portions. You can then defrost and bake small amounts when wanted easily without extra effort.

Some cakes can be frozen too.

Once you get into the habit of making a simple sponge it doesn't take much time. I used to work with a woman who'd knock one up in the morning and bring it in to work when she arrived at 8.30. She put us all to shame lol

First time you buy the ingredients for baking it'll be a little pricier but once you have them then baking regularly is much cheaper than buying sweet stuff in. The more you practice, the quicker you'll get and electric mixers shave a lot of time off prep too.

Things like shortbread and are super easy to make and take very little time. Incidentally, both shortbread dough and crumble topping can be frozen.

Just have fun and build up new habits in stages :)

sunnydayz43 · 28/04/2025 00:26

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

We took the carpeting up in all of the rooms,including the stairs, years ago , and you're right @Leafy3 , it IS easier to sweep than to vacuum!
Carpeting hides dust and pet fur I found, but it also captures a lot of odours too.
We felt that the house smelled a lot fresher after we took it out!

TicTac80 · 28/04/2025 00:32

@Shoezembagsforever I can’t speak for other PP, but I got the “clean everything” thing from my family (who didn’t have any pets and are non smokers). Sofa covers, cushion covers, curtains and throws were washed regularly; windows always opened to air house out; rugs would be washed/cleaned/hung out and beaten as appropriate. I remember helping out with this sort of thing when I was young, and I guess I just carried it on. In my house, it’s definitely needed as I have DC and DCats!

OP, I draft the kids in to help out with getting sofa/cushion covers on/off and curtains off/on etc. it’s a ball ache, but does make a difference. Rest of the things are just routine housework things.

Leafy3 · 28/04/2025 00:35

remember helping out with this sort of thing when I was young, and I guess I just carried it on.

This is key I think. Some of my earliest memories are of helping mum with the chores and the memory of having all the doors and windows open on a sunny weekend is a happy one.

Edited to add one the ways I've found it easier to manage stripping and laundering of soft furnishings is to have 2 sets of throws and cushions covers. So, like bedding, I can have one lot in use while I take my time with washing and airing as energy and time allows.

lunalovegood25 · 28/04/2025 00:52

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?

Edited

probably £££ Aesop poo drops!

lunalovegood25 · 28/04/2025 00:55

Zone2NorthLondon · 28/04/2025 00:17

NO pets they all stink and they have fleas.
Neom diffuser. White company Seychelles spray, Scented candles. Plug in fresheners discreetly dotted about
Open windows to air
Extractlr on,window open when cook
Hard flooring.Easy to maintain and clean

Why would they have fleas? Confused Mine doesn’t
he smells like my perfume currently as I’ve been hugging him, you wouldn’t know there was a cat in my home
clean the food bowls daily, wash everything regularly, hoover and his litter tray is immaculate as I clean it immediately and take any waste outside

Leafy3 · 28/04/2025 01:05

@Catpuss66 green bleach

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