6 Healthy Ways to Make Your Home Smell Good
Have you ever walked into someone’s home and instantly knew something about them just by the way it smelled? Maybe it was warm and inviting, with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla lingering in the air. Or maybe (yikes) you were hit with a musty, stale odor that made you want to hold your breath.
The truth is, every home has a distinct smell, and it can say a lot about the people who live there. While we all want our homes to smell fresh and inviting, it’s not uncommon for certain areas—like the trash can, litter box, or damp laundry pile—to contribute some not-so-pleasant odors. And let’s be honest, sometimes we go nose-blind to our own house smell.
The good news? There are healthy, non-toxic ways to keep your home smelling amazing all the time—without resorting to synthetic, chemical-laden air fresheners. In this post, we’re diving into what can cause bad odors in your home, how to naturally scent your space, and how to tell if your house smells bad (even if you’ve gone nose-blind).
Let’s make your home smell fresh in the healthiest way possible!
Want more tips? Check out my post on "organization tips for home" because a clean, clutter-free space is the first step to a good smelling home.
6 Healthy Ways to Make Your Home Smell Good
Before we dive into the best natural ways to make your house smell good, let’s first talk about what can make it smell bad in the first place. Understanding the root cause will help you eliminate odors instead of just masking them.
What Can Cause a Fishy Smell in the Home?
Ever noticed a strange, fishy smell in your house—even when you haven’t cooked fish? Here are some of the most common culprits:
1. Electrical Issues
A fishy or burning plastic smell could indicate overheating electrical components or faulty wiring. This is one odor you should never ignore—if you smell something fishy near outlets, light fixtures, or appliances, turn off the power and call an electrician ASAP.
2. Plumbing Problems
Stagnant water, mold buildup, or clogged drains can create an unpleasant fishy or musty odor. A simple fix? Pour white vinegar and baking soda down your drains, let it fizz, then rinse with hot water to clear out any buildup.
We had this problem in a house we lived in in Athens, GA. Our primary suite bathroom often smelled like a big ‘ol toot. It was gross! But flushing out the stale water made a world of difference.
3. Old or Spoiled Food
Check your fridge, pantry, and even under furniture (because, let’s be real, toddlers and pets are notorious for leaving snacks in random places). Even small crumbs of old dairy, seafood, cheese, or oils can create a lingering odor.
4. Poor Ventilation
When your home lacks airflow, smells from cooking, pets, or damp laundry can get trapped. Regularly changing your air filters and opening windows will help keep your space smelling fresh.
Last week, I was walking a home with a potential client and it smelled like straight up trash. The tenants living there went on vacation and did not take the trash out or clean their kitchen prior to leaving. The whole first floor of the home smelled awful. I desperately wanted to open all the windows and doors and plug in my air purifier.
I’ve tried a few air purifiers, but JASPR is by far my favorite. It’s the most low maintenance, works incredibly well, and is the most aesthetically pleasing HEPA filtering unit I’ve seen. I love mine so much that I contacted JASPR to see if I could be an affiliate for them, They generously obliged me. Here is the info:
Use code: BECKON for $200 off your purchase.
How to Make Your Home Smell Good Naturally
Now that we’ve covered some of the main odor culprits, let’s get into the fun part—healthy, non-toxic ways to naturally scent your home and keep it smelling fresh all the time.
1. Simmer Pot Magic
A simmer pot is one of the easiest ways to infuse your home with subtle scents. Simply add cinnamon sticks, orange peels, cloves, and rosemary to a pot of water and let it simmer on low. The natural oils released will make your home smell amazing!
2. Essential Oil Room Sprays
Forget chemical-laden air fresheners—making your own room spray is easy and so much healthier. In a spray bottle, mix:
½ cup distilled water
1 tbsp witch hazel
10-15 drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, or peppermint are great options)
Shake and spritz around your home for a good smelling, naturally scented refresh! You can get all these supplies in my Amazon Store right here.
3. Diffuser with Essential Oils
A diffuser is a game-changer when it comes to naturally scenting your home. Just add water and a few drops of essential oil, and let the mist fill your space with subtle scents that last for hours. Some of the best oils for freshening up a space include:
Lemon + Eucalyptus – Crisp and clean
Lavender + Frankincense – Calming and cozy (this is also what I diffused in the labor room at the hospital when I was giving birth to Roman. All the nurses would come in and say how amazing our space smelled. This combo is also supposed to aid birth. Check out this post for more info on that).
Orange + Clove – Warm and uplifting
I am a dōTerra lover, and they also have some beautiful essential oil blends. I love Balance, Citrus Bliss, and On Guard for diffusing. You can check out some of my favorites along with the affordable diffusers I have scattered in my house here.
A diffuser not only makes your house smell good, but it also purifies the air and adds a touch of moisture—perfect if you live in a dry climate like Arizona!
4. Baking Soda Odor Absorber
If you want your house to smell good, you need to neutralize bad odors first. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer—place an open jar of it in the fridge, near the trash, or sprinkle it on carpets before vacuuming to absorb unwanted smells.
Baking soda is a life saver for deodorizing. I even toss some in the laundry with my husband’s sweaty gym clothes… it helps to get rid of that locker room smell so much!
5. Natural Scented Candles
Many scented candles contain synthetic fragrances and paraffin wax, which release toxins into the air. Instead, opt for 100% soy, coconut, or beeswax candles with essential oils for a healthier way to enjoy a cozy, inviting scent. Buyer beware: make sure the wax is 100% soy, coconut, or beeswax as many companies mix paraffin in with these pure waxes because it’s more cost effective. I really like the Skinny Confidential non-toxic Eucalyptus candle. I plan on creating custom, non-toxic BECKON candles in the future. LMK what scents you would like to have. :)
6. Air Purifiers and Filters
If your home feels stale, the issue might not be what you’re adding but what you’re not filtering out. Investing in a high-quality air filter can remove odors, pet dander, and pollutants—leaving your house smelling fresh and clean.
Again, I love the JASPR air filter. It’s so sensitive to any pollutants in the air and filters them out automatically. You can use code: BECKON for $200 off your purchase.
How to Tell If Your House Smells Bad
Okay, real talk—sometimes we get so used to our own space that we don’t even realize it has an odor. Here are a few ways to vibe check your home’s smell:
Step outside for 10 minutes, then walk back in—what do you notice?
Ask an honest friend or family member—brutal, but effective.
Pay attention to guests’ reactions—if someone subtly wrinkles their nose, it might be time for an odor intervention.
What are your favorite healthy ways to make your home smell good? Drop a comment below and let’s share tips!
Final Thoughts
Your home should be a sanctuary—a place that feels fresh, inviting, and healthy. By using natural, non-toxic scenting methods, you can ditch the synthetic air fresheners and create an environment that not only smells amazing but also supports your well-being.
Want more tips? Check out my post on "organization tips for home" because a clean, clutter-free space is the first step to a good smelling home.
And if you have a favorite natural scenting tip, drop it in the comments—I love hearing your ideas!
Live on purpose, live on frequency. ✨
Jaclyn