How Does Your Home Smell?

There's nothing that makes a home more appealing than a good smell! But most houses, left to themselves, develop a less than pleasing odor. Especially in this day of tightly closed and temperature controlled homes, odors develop from dampness, pets and food, among other things, and linger on and on unless we do something about it.

What makes a home appealing or not when you first walk in? For most people, whether it's recognized or not, it's the smell. With our temperature controlled homes, closed against the outside air, it would be a miracle if a house didn't develop some odors of its own. Pets, food, moisture and many other things contribute to the way a home smells.

Making and keeping a home smelling good has created a whole industry devoted to odors. Candles, oils, sprays and solids line the shelves of stores, with a wild assortment of scents sure to please everyone.

Candles are not only an odor replacing (or, in some instances, absorbing) porduct, they're socially acceptable - more so than running around with a spray can of room deodorant! They can be used in any room in the house, but create s special ambience in the bathroom, bedroom or diningroom. If you entertain, candles on the table may never be suspected as odor coverups since they're decorative, too.

Don't buy cheap candles for this purpose, though, because they will burn quickly and may even lose their smell within a few minutes of lighting them. Here is one place that name brand is better, unless you know a local candle maker who creates quality products.

Spray air fresheners are popular for a reason. They're quick and efficient in an enclosed environment. They're not appropriate for all settings, though! You don't want guests to know that you just sprayed the air. They'll wonder what you're hiding. While candles are seen as creating atmosphere, air fresheners are seen as creating a coverup of some sort.

Solid sticks, plug-ins and other such deodorizers use a small amount of heat to disseminate scents. They're small and unobtrusive, so that guests probably will not notice them at all. They operate constantly at a low level, so if you want a odor that is always "on," these options will be best for you.

Another slow but steady option is potpourri. It is seen as more natural, although it isn't always. The same chemicals are used in commercially prepared potpourri as are used in sprays, candles and solid deodorizers.

What makes potpourri seem more natural is that it's usually presented as a mixture of flowers, seeds, nuts, bud, twigs and leaves. These do have naturally occurring odors, but the package you buy will almost always have been helped somewhat by the addition of chemically produced smells that last longer than natural ones.

No matter what form these chemical and natural scents come in, they can trigger allergies and even asthma attacks. Be aware of the ingredients when you buy.

If you have allergy problems, you might want to consider truly natural solutions.

Vinegar in a shallow dish will absorb smoke and some cooking odors, including fish. Dilute it half and half with water and put it into a bottle with a fine spray and use it in the air around cooking, pet or moisture caused odors.

Baking soda will absorb odors also, and can be used on carpets and rugs. Sprinkle it on just like the commercial equivalent of carpet deodorizers, let it set and vacuum it up. Baking soda doesn't have a smell of its own to cover up other smells, but it will get rid of the bad smells.

If you want to add scent to your home, use natural spices to create your own simmering potpourri. Use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, or simmer vanilla (add water so it won't "burn up" too quickly). If there's a particular spice or combination that you enjoy, use it!

Other ideas for natural scents? Bake some bread. Make some brownies. Spray some lemon juice around.

Keeping your home smelling nice is as important as keeping it looking nice. Unless it smells good, it won't be a welcoming place to either you or your guests.