Organic Air Fresheners: Natural Ingredients Create a Clean-Smelling Home

Walk down the aisles of your grocery store and take a look at the air fresheners they sell: Metal and plastic packages filled with chemicals to fill your home with the artificial scents of "ripe strawberries" or "refreshing spring breezes." Why pay money for these air fresheners, filled with unnatural, potentially toxic chemicals? Use these tips and hints to freshen the air in your home the natural, organic way.

Natural, Organic and EASY Ways to Freshen Your Air:

Take these hints, and your home will smell fresh and clean, not sickeningly sweet like commercial chemical air fresheners.

Don't Cover Up Smelly, Bad Odors: Clean Them Up!

Why mask nasty, stinky smells? Get rid of them!

First, make sure you've got a lot of air circulating through your house. This will help to get rid of stale air. Open the windows and turn on fans. If something spills, use non-toxic, organic cleaning materials to clean it up immediately (don't let it sit or set!).

One common source of bad smells is your garbage can. Empty the garbage regularly and frequently. To keep the garbage can smelling fresh and nice, add a couple drops of essential oils to the bottom of your garbage can. I like adding a couple drops of lemon, lavender or eucalyptus essential oils.

Clear Your Room's Air, Naturally!

Baking soda is cheap. Baking soda has many household uses. I like using a box of baking soda to absorb smells naturally. It works great in your refrigerator. (For more: natural household ways to use baking soda)

Houseplants can be great for freshening the air, removing airborne toxins, and adding oxygen to a room. Add a couple potted plants to each room, which can make great decoration while also helping to purify the air.

Don't Use Chemical Scents: Use Organic, Natural Scents!

A couple sticks of cinnamon in a closet can freshen the air. Some people like to put herbs like cinnamon into water and simmer it on a stovetop to fill the entire house with a great, clean scent. This works well if you're expecting company and want everything to smell tantalizing.

A couple of drops of essential oils (my favorites are mint smells, which brighten and freshen any room without overwhelming the senses) in a dish or in water can really help purify the air.

Potpourri is a great standby. A little packet of potpourri or dried herbs, like fresh dried mint leaves or dried lavender, works great for freshening a clothes drawer or a bedroom.