Green Ideas to Freshen the Air in Your Home Naturally

No matter how clean a home is, there are still unwanted odors that seem to sneak in. There's the cat's litter box, the smell from food that was cooked the night before, sweaty shoes, socks, pets, etc. There are many air fresheners sold in stores these days which include sprays, plug-ins and candles. These products contain varying amounts of chemicals and are usually pretty pricey. Using natural products in your home is better for the environment and healthier for your family, not to mention that they cost a fraction of most of the store bought products. Try some of these green ideas to remove household odors and freshen your home naturally.

Baking soda is great at eliminating odors. You can put a small bowl of baking soda in the bathroom or a closet or anywhere that needs freshening. Or you can sprinkle baking soda on the carpet before you vacuum. You can also put a box of baking soda in your refrigerator to help remove any unwanted odors.

You can put a dab of vanilla on top of lightbulbs. Then turn the lightbulbs on and enjoy the delicious smell that permeates the air.

Lemon juice is a great surface cleaner. You can mix a 50/50 solution of lemon juice and water and spray it on kitchen or bathroom countertops. It leaves a fresh lemony scent. And if your garbage disposal is smelling bad, cut a lemon into quarters and put them down your disposal one by one and run the disposal. You can also cut three lemons into quarters, place them in an uncovered saucepan and add enough water to cover the slices. Simmer for 30 minutes to produce a citrusy aroma that will fill your house and last for hours.

Essential oil can be used to make a house smell delightful. Visit your local health food store and pick out a small bottle of your favorite scent; lavender, citrus, vanilla, etc. In a spray bottle, mix 1 teaspoon of the essential oil with 2 cups of water. Now you have a fabulous smelling air freshener for your home.