How can I make my house smell fresher?

[suwoo]

I'm not saying it stinks, but I would like it to smell fresher. I know I can polish/spray cif or whatever, but I want a longer lasting freshness. I don't do flowers, and I don't like obvious air fresheners (minimalist house). Those plug ins are difficult too as all plug sockets are tucked away behind sofas or similar. Any ideas gratefully received, ta.

some essential oil on a muslin cloth and put on top of a radiator might work?

open your windows at both ends and get a nice fresh breeze blowing though
That Is Best

I dont do air fresheners either...... ewwwwww yuk. any i try to avoid ALL synthetic fragrences even those IN cleaning products.

my house stays fresh by fresh air... i regularly open ALL the windows and let fresh air into my house... they are all open NOW actually!

Vanilla candles?

Clean it & open windows. Empty your bins regularily too

Thanks all. Firefly, I know what you mean, I cleaned thoroughly yesterday and smelt lovely, today stinks YUK. We have a brabantia 50litre bin, that probably doesn't get emptied enough. Also DH left kitchen sink full of water last night, that doesn't help either. Its too bloody cold in Manchester for windows open, but will do it for a quick freshen up. Any more?

I have those embarassing ceramic humidifiers hanging ona few radiators and put a few drops of lavendar essentail oil in the water in them. That seems to work pretty well for me. Obv if you don't like lavendar you could use another essential oil - peppermint or lemon are nice for this too. Or mix them up.

It is never to cold to open the windows. You only need to open them for about half an hour a day. (My mother is a fresh air fiend and once left her bedroom window open all day on Christmas Day and the neighbours came round worried that we had been broken into!) I dont open them all (far too many and I can never find all the keys) but if you open two at opposite ends of the house, that will have the desired effect.

its freezing here in manchester and my house stinks like poo (both kids just emptied their nappies)

cna I just check you don't have pert rats, as wwe got stung on a former thread...

(And 50l is too big for a kitchen bin IMO - smaller one emptied more frequrntly will smell better)

leave the windows open for an hour every morning and put a jumper on!

What is making it smell?

IMO covering up a smell with something else just makes it worse

We have most of our windows permenatly on their vent setting at this time of year and I always have the bedroom windows open for an hour or two (at least) when the weather is good enough. Also could try essential oil incense

Have opened windows front and back. I think it is something in my giant bin as it is only the kitchen that smells. I only emptied it yesterday, but will do it now. Could be last nights broccoli in the fridge?

Kittylette, thought I knew you from your profile but I don't LOL. Are you North or South Manchester?

Shame you don't do flowers. OP. I've just treated myself to some oriental lillies. Put in a vase on top of the piano, they make the whole room smell lovveelly. Leave the living room door open and I'll probably smell them in other rooms too. Hey, you know what works too? I use the ironing water in my iron. Comfort do one, but I use Asda's own which is far cheaper and does exactly the same job. After you've been ironing, you can smell that right through the house for quite a while after.

Thats a good one mummypenguin, I'll have to tell DH, he does the ironing
My mum ALWAYS has lillies and they do smell lovely, I agree.

I love the idea of scented ironing water but there is a lot of c*p in the shop bought ones. Really easy to make your own: buy bottle of deionised water and add a few drops of essential oil. Shake well. My favourite is bergamot. The oil is about £4 but lasts for ever and I love the citrus smell!! Happy ironing

Hi suwong

im south manchester

Febreze is great for carpets, upholstery, etc. It neutralizes the odour, and gives a pleasant, just-washed smell to things.

Are you sure this smelly house scenario isn't just in your head?

I'm sure it can't be that whiffy

I just worry that it smells if someone comes in. Had windows open since original post and OK now. Thanks for all the ideas. Thanks Kittylette for replying, I'm in North Manchester.