If you have babies, toddlers and/or pets in your home, you know that messes are inevitable. Unfortunately those messes bring lingering odors, even after the mess has been cleaned up. I don’t know about you, but a fresh smelling environment puts me at ease, that’s why I love candles. Their scent is so relaxing to me, and it makes my home feel so cozy.
In this blog post, I am going to share how to keep your home smelling fresh and clean amidst toddler spills, baby diapers, aromas in the kitchen and pet accidents.
1. Start With Tackling the Trash
The biggest secret to a fresh-smelling home isn’t sprays (that can just mask odors), it’s cleanliness. If your home has a funky smell to it, it is time to take out the trash!
Here’s where to start:
Bag up dirty diapers: If you have babies/and or toddlers that aren’t potty trained, for every diaper change place the diaper (wet or dirty) into scented dog poop bags to prevent odors from lingering in the air. We use scented dog poop bags for our twin toddlers and baby’s diapers and it has made a huge difference! The trash can doesn’t smell anymore.
Throw away paper trash: clothing tags, old receipts, junk mail, throw away all the little paper trash that can accumulate on the counter. You might think how could this make my home smell? While paper itself doesn’t usually have a strong odor, clutter traps smells. Stacks of mail and random paper scraps collect dust, absorb kitchen odors, and make your space feel stuffy and stale. When counters are clear and surfaces are wiped down, your home instantly feels cleaner. Cleaner spaces naturally smell fresher.
Empty trash cans in the bathroom, office, kitchen and other areas of your home where trash lives. Even if they’re not completely full, small amounts of waste can quickly start to smell — especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Make it a habit to take them out regularly, wipe down the inside of the bins, and replace liners as needed. This simple routine prevents odors from building up and keeps your home smelling consistently fresh instead of waiting until there’s a noticeable problem.
2. Don’t Forget the Air Itself
Sometimes the issue isn’t surfaces, it’s stale air. Marie Kondo, a well-known organizing consultant, starts her day by opening all the windows in her home to let fresh air flow through. It’s such a simple habit, but it instantly refreshes the space and lifts the atmosphere. Even just opening windows for 10–15 minutes a day can completely refresh your home. Fresh air circulation makes a bigger difference than most people realize.
You can also:
- Change HVAC filters regularly
- Use an air purifier (this is the exact one we use in our bedroom)
- Run ceiling fans to circulate air
- Open doors between rooms during the day
Fresh air instantly lifts the atmosphere of your home. It feels lighter, brighter, and more welcoming.
3. Keep Up With Daily “Reset” Habits
Create daily reset routines to help your home smell fresh
Here are a few simple resets:
- Take the trash out nightly (especially after cooking meat or fish)
- Load and run the dishwasher daily
- Wipe down kitchen counters before bed
- Put damp towels straight into the wash
- Mop the floor (but be careful of strong smelling cleaners)
- Lightly vacuum high-traffic areas
Vacuum the carpet daily: carpets act as an air filter-they can absorb so much dirt and dust. We do not wear shoes in our home but yet our carpet still needs daily or weekly passes with the vacuum.
These tiny habits take just a few minutes, but they stop smells before they start.
I like to think of it as “closing down the kitchen” each night — waking up to a clean-smelling home sets the tone for the whole day.
4. Use Natural Deodorizers
If you want your home to smell fresh without overwhelming artificial scents, natural options are a wonderful choice.
Here are a few favorites:
Baking Soda
Place small bowls of baking soda in areas that tend to trap odors (like the fridge or pantry). It naturally absorbs smells.
White Vinegar
Dilute some white vinegar with some water, and use an absorbent microfiber cloth or paper towel and gently wipe the walls of your home. You may not realize it, but walls can hold onto cooking smells, dust, and everyday odors over time. A light wipe-down helps remove buildup, freshens the space, and even brightens the room.
Add water, sliced citrus, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and rosemary to a pot and let it simmer on the stove. Your entire home will smell warm and inviting. This is especially cozy during fall and winter. A friend gave us a simmer pot packet for Christmas, and I loved the way it made our kitchen smell!
5. Be Intentional With Signature Scents
Once your home is clean, you can now create an inviting scent to your home.
Choose one or two signature scents instead of mixing too many.
Some of my favorite scents:
- Voluspa French Cade Lavender Candle
- Thymes Aromatic Jar Candle
- Thymes Reed Lemon Leaf Diffuser Oil
- DW Home Apple Honey Butter Candle
Scents like lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, and vanilla are timeless and feel clean without being overpowering.
The key is subtlety. You want someone to walk in and think, “It smells so fresh in here,” not “What is that strong fragrance?”
6. Wash Fabrics Regularly
Fabrics hold onto smells more than we realize.
Make it a habit to regularly wash:
- Throw blankets
- Pillow covers
- Curtains
- Bath mats
- Couch slipcovers
- Dog/cat beds
Even if they look clean, they can hold onto cooking smells and everyday odors.
If you have carpet, sprinkle baking soda over it before vacuuming to help freshen it up naturally.
7. Sanitize the Kitchen
The kitchen is usually the biggest source of odors in any home.
A few helpful habits:
- Clean out your fridge weekly
- Wipe down the microwave daily
- Run the garbage disposal with ice and lemon
- Empty crumb trays in the toaster
- Mop the floor regularly
- Sanitize the kitchen sink
Food smells linger (think takeout, cooked bacon, fish, etc) so consistent cleaning is key.
And don’t forget to check for hidden culprits like forgotten leftovers in the back of the fridge.
8. Don’t Overlook the Bathroom
Bathrooms need a little extra attention to stay smelling fresh.
Keep these simple routines:
- Wash towels twice a week
- Clean the toilet regularly
- Wipe down sinks and counters daily
- Empty small trash cans often
- Keep a subtle diffuser or candle nearby
You can also keep a small spray bottle with water and a few drops of essential oil for a quick refresh.
9. Create a Weekly Deep Clean Rhythm
Having a weekly cleaning rhythm prevents smells from building up.
Choose one day a week to:
- Vacuum thoroughly
- Mop floors
- Wash bedding
- Dust surfaces
- Clean mirrors
- Sanitize trash cans
When your home is on a steady rhythm, it never gets overwhelming.
It’s much easier to maintain a fresh home than to rescue one that’s been neglected.
10. Buy Live Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are a beautiful addition to your home decor. Pothos are especially easy houseplants to maintain and I love the cascading leaves. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which helps improve overall air quality and circulation. Many houseplants also help reduce airborne toxins and trap dust particles on their leaves. When you occasionally wipe the leaves clean, you’re removing that buildup from your space. This can make the air feel lighter and less stale over time.
Closing Thoughts
A clean and fresh home creates a stress free environment. Take a few minutes each week to wipe down trash cans, run lemon or baking soda through your garbage disposal, run the vacuum, and wash throw blankets and pillow covers regularly. Odors love to cling to fabrics.
