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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

what makes your house smell nice?

64 replies

booyhoo · 22/04/2009 12:39

im fed up with cheap air fresheners and wont fork out for the expensive ones. what do you lovely ladies use to keep the home smelling divine. i have a dog and cat and im always aware of them when i walk through the door after being out for a whileso i know other people notice it too. i want to smile when i walk through the door. TIA

OP posts:
spikemomma · 03/05/2009 21:12

Drops of essential oil down the toilet or left in the sink soap well. It's really effective and makes the whole house smell lovely, if you keep the bathroom door open. I use lavender but any would do.

wastingmyeducation · 03/05/2009 21:18

Clean up. Cook and bake. Open windows and doors.

Not a lot of artificial smells in my house. No air fresheners whatsoever, minimal cleaning products, no bleach or fabric softener etc. It just smells like a house.

southeastastra · 03/05/2009 21:20

pot pourri argh how do you spell it

TheMysticMasseuse · 03/05/2009 21:23

wash your curtains. clean your sofas and your carpets. take the trash out regularly. open the windows often. your house will smell nice, or even better, not smell at all.

god i hate those air fresheners, they make me sick (literally!)

BuwchBywiog · 03/05/2009 22:14

Sprinkle baking soda over your carpets, leave for half an hour or so and vacuum, it gets rid of doggy smells instantly! Leave it longer if you can stand it ...

EyeballsplayswithCake · 03/05/2009 22:15

Well certainly not the bastard burnt flapjacks that are sitting in my kitchen now. I preferred the smell of bins that was there before

janeite · 03/05/2009 22:24

I don't like air fresheners. I like to stick a few drops of lavender (or whatever) oil down the loo and use a drop or two in the final wipe down when I clean the bathroom too.

I like the citrus oils for making a house smell clean and fresh too: we use citronella in a water spray because I read on here that it keeps spiders away.

Fresh coffee is good too!

whomovedmychocolate · 03/05/2009 22:27

I use 1 part fabric conditioner to 40 parts water in a spray bottom, spray it on the soft fabrics, leave for ten minutes and vac and it pulls up all the hair and smell and it goes in the vac. I tend to use the value range of fabric conditioner because it's got the right amount of non-ionic surfactants without all the other stuff you pay a lot for. You can also try sprinkling all soft furnishings and carpets with bicarbonate of soda, leave for an hour and vac off.

chegirl · 03/05/2009 22:29

I put some smelly oil on some cotton wool and put it in my hoover bag. Then when I hoover (I do it a lot as I am a bit mad) it makes the room smell nice.

newpup I am also paranoid about animal smells as I have dogs and grew up in a doggy home. I have been known to rush around shouting 'does it smell, does it smell' in a demented fashion. It doesnt help that my OH cant smell due to his MS. I sometimes come in from work and the house stinks of nappies, puppies, burnt toast and all kinds of nasties. OH is quite happily watching Maury on the tv, oblivious.

The paranoia reached a peak when we were being assessed to adopt our DS. I kept bathing the animals

I have used plug ins but the can be overpowering and my toddler likes to unplug them, take them apart and suck on the wicks (dont have them anymore).

Using the same smelly oil in your hoover, bit on your light bulbs and radiators does work though.

KnickKnack · 03/05/2009 22:30

open windows at some point everyday.

nag champa incense (divine )

newpup · 04/05/2009 09:46

lol chegirl - I too am known to accost DH as he enters the house with crys of 'does it smell of dog, does it, does it??'

I love my pup but hate entering a house that smells of dog. I am quite obsessive about cleaning - my friends call me Monica!!

When I first told people we were getting a puppy they all said 'dogs smell' and I think that set me off on a mission. I will have a dog and a fragrant house!

Lavender oil is a wonderful thing! Never tried it on the light bulbs though - will give it a go!

alicecrail · 04/05/2009 09:55

I read somewhere that the tumble dryer sheet thingies (bounce?) can be put onto the radiators after they have been used.

I'm a bit paranoid too, as we have horses and leave our boots on the fron't door step, i am thinking about planting a lavender plant by the front door.

noddyholder · 04/05/2009 09:55

I have always wanted a dog but not had one for this reason!Not sure whether I'm assured or more deterred

WinkyWinkola · 04/05/2009 09:56

Fresh air.

Always open the windows as often as possible. I loathe air fresheners.

gardeningmum05 · 04/05/2009 11:37

like the sound of the essential oils, any idea if massage oil would have the same effect, excuse my ignorance

Bonneville · 04/05/2009 11:50

Simmering granules either 'Opus' or a mixture of patchouli and vanilla. Lovely.

gardeningmum05 · 04/05/2009 11:54

granules?
where do you get them

Bonneville · 04/05/2009 12:02

Gardeningmum - I buy these online. Just google 'simmering granules'. You can probably get them in shops that sell scented candles etc.

PrimulaVeris · 04/05/2009 12:07

Open windows - another fresh air freak. Can't stand air fresheners or 'artificial' smells

KnickKnack · 04/05/2009 12:38

These are an example of simmering granules. Ancient wisdom are really good quality, yet cheap-ish on price. If you contact them, I'm sure they can tell you if there is a shop selling them in your area.
Also, you dont have to burn them, just leave them in a small dish and shake now and then (although you can burn them as well in an oil burner, dont add water to the well)

The pumice stones are even better imo. Leave in a dish (not for burning)

KnickKnack · 04/05/2009 12:39

Forgot to add, thats a wholesale company...hence why I suggested contacting them for a shop close to you.

gardeningmum05 · 04/05/2009 13:07

thanks ladies, ordered some to try off ebay. 200g for £1.95

noddyholder · 04/05/2009 13:08

Someone bought me those for xmas they really smelt horrible like a fake fruit shampoo-y smell

gardeningmum05 · 04/05/2009 13:09

off to buy some pumice stones now, thankyou

Bonneville · 04/05/2009 13:15

Noddy - I think it depends upon which scent you choose. I personally hate the strawberry (too fruity) but some of the other ones are gorgeous (and subtle).