Do you have foul odours lingering in your home? Are you struggling to figure out ways to get rid of terrible smells? Let’s face it, finding the source of odors and getting rid of them can be a hassle. If you’re having this problem and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. We reached out to experts across North America, from Bountiful, UT to Windsor, ON, to give us their best tips on how to deodorize your home and keep it smelling fresh. From using toxic-free candles to installing a reed diffuser, read on to see what they had to say.
1) Start by removing the odor source and ventilating
Pesky odors from cooking, pets, or other gross stuff can be a pain to get rid of. The first step is to remove the source of the offending odor from your home and ventilating with some outside air so that the bad smells are no longer being replenished. The second step is to replace the residual bad smells with your favorite smells using room freshening candles made with essential oils to deodorize your home. – Olympic Candle
2) Use a blacklight to detect odors
Sometimes it can be hard to detect where the foul odors are coming from, and they may be hiding in plain sight. Using a black light can help uncover those pesky invisible sources of stink. Once revealed, defeating these ghostly odors is easy, and we recommend an awesome candle to show off your victory and get rid of that bad smell memory. – Nostalgia Candle Company
3) Try a cleaning solution to deodorize your home
Rugs and upholstery might get the least amount of attention, but they can be the biggest culprits when it comes to holding onto bad smells. Try this quick and easy upholstery and rug deodorizer to clear out bad aromas: add 1 tablespoon baking soda, 10 drops of Lemon essential oil, and 5 drops each of rosemary and lavender essential oils to a 16 oz glass spray bottle. Top off with water, shake well and spray rugs or upholstery to freshen and deodorize. – Verdant Oils
4) Light a freshly lit candle to enhance the aroma
Be sure to get 100% soy to ensure you are bringing toxin-free candles into your home that are good for you, your family, and pets – Jamie Lavin of Simply Scrunch Co.
5) Choose a natural smelling fragrance
When trying to deodorize your home and get rid of bad odors, a scented candle could be the way to go. Great picks are fresh, botanical, and natural fragrances such as eucalyptus, lavender, or citrus to help clear and lighten the air rather than weigh it down. – Terradomi
6) Or a scent that reminds you of home
Whether you choose a candle or wax melt of a bakery scent such as Blueberry Cobbler or a warm scent such as Home, it reaches your sense of smell to trigger warm memories. Also, a great idea when selling your home is to use a candle or wax melt before a showing to add the touch of warmth. – Louie and Jill Chamberlain of Cardinal Candle Company
7) Reed diffusers can provide a constant flow of fragrance
Reed diffusers work particularly well in areas that are used the most, such as living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and entrances. I find that keeping the same scent throughout the home enhances the experience of the fragrance and leaves lasting memories of a good scent. – Kirsty Elmer, Owner of Delilah Chloe Luxury Home Fragrance
8) Burn a 100% natural candle
So you’ve done your best to identify the source of unpleasant odors and eliminate them from your home. Now what? Burning a high-quality, 100% natural candle will fill your space with delightful fragrances that both elicit fond memories and create that relaxing atmosphere you are looking for. – Shaded Periwinkle
9) Go with a scent that matches each room
When choosing where to place candles, cinnamon works best to neutralize unpleasant bathroom odors. If you want a candle in your kitchen, fruit, chocolate, and coffee-scented candles will be right at home with the food aromas that already live there. Unscented candles are best for your dining table to avoid a conflict with your nose and palette, and soft musk or herbal scents will relax you in your bedroom. – America’s Candle Company
10) Create a calming and relaxing atmosphere
To create a cozy, warm feel to your home, we recommend lighting a scented candle. Not only do scented candles give your home a wonderful smell, but they also create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Floral scents are great for a light and airy feel, while musky scents create a nice and snug ambiance. – Celona London
11) Go with a paradise themed candle to create an at-home oasis
With more time at home over the last year and a half, people have been looking into all kinds of ways to create their own at-home oasis. Scented candles are the perfect way to bring home that vacation vibe when a vacation isn’t always an option. Go with a vacation-themed candle-like Citrus Ocean for a little more paradise in your life. – The Outerbanks Candle Company
12) Be careful with the products you purchase
Deodorizing your home should come with a huge buyer beware as many products for deodorizing contain harmful chemicals that may negatively impact your sleep, focus, and productivity. Swapping your home deodorizing and cleaning routine for natural alternatives, like pure essential oils, will not only please your senses, but also set you up for creating a more peaceful and relaxing environment. – Essentialoils.life
13) Hire a professional cleaner
Ultra-pure chlorine dioxide can not only help protect your home but also your family at the same time. Many products can be used to eliminate or reduce bacteria, mold, and viruses in virtually any setting.
14) Choose scents that you have an emotional connection to
To set the right scene in your home, find scents that you have an emotional connection with the same way you would with a picture you put on your wall or the soft and comfortable chair you put in your living room. Finding scents that connect you to your favorite memories of a season, holiday, or vacation can be a great way to add that extra personal touch to the warm and comforting feeling you want to create in your home. – Road Trip Candle Company
15) Try unique candle scents
After you have tackled the cause of unwanted smells you may want to add more pleasing scents to deodorize your home. We recommend choosing a unique candle made by a small business. Not only are they a chic way of decorating your home, but they also come with a meaning behind the look and fragrance that makes for a great talking point.
Originally published on Redfin.com