How to Make Your House Smell Wonderful Naturally

I think everyone's ready for spring to be here. Ready to open all the windows and let a fresh breeze blow out all that stale air. With our homes closed up tight all winter the air and all our belongings are starting to smell like a old dustmop. Let's change all that.........

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dust cloths
• Window cleaner
• Fabric refresher (such as febreze)
• Lemon-based all-purpose cleaner
• New bags for your vacumn

1. The best way to change the air in our homes is to open up a window in every room. Even though it's still cold in many areas, open a window for at least an hour in each room of your home. It's important to change the air in our homes to help eliminate allergens and the fresh smell goes a long way to improving the way we feel. Now is also a great time to wash the window screens before the bugs start moving around. Dirty screens smell terrible, and the dirt and dust constrict air flow. Clean windows and screens make any room look better.

2. 
    
   AIR HOSE OR PAT DOWN YOUR FABRIC FURNISHINGS

   The fabrics in your home can also hold odors and dust and should be cleaned as well. See my article on "How To Freshen-Up Dry Clean Only Drapes". It's amazing how much dust can accumulate on your sofa and chairs, these items should be vacumned regularly. Any furniture with fabric will hold odors from cooking,smoking or the wood stove. If possible, take any furniture outside and just patting with your hands will release the dust and the fresh air will make them smell better.

3. Before you vacumn,clean the filter on the vac and replace the bag.
   Vacumn your whole house really well. Move all the furniture to get underneath things you don't move on a regular basis. Clean the baseboards and check the ceiling for cobwebs. Now that you've cleaned all your fabrics spray with a refresher such as febreze. Don't forget to spray your carpets, they can really hold odors.

Tips & Warnings

• If you own a air compressor, it can make the job of dusting off fabric furniture really easy. Just take it outside, and lose tons of dust. Blow off lampshades, shake throws and pillows and leave in the fresh air for awhile. Mix a bucket with lemon-scented all purpose cleaner and wipe down any surface that won't be affected by the solution. These are all very simple ideas but you'll love how your house smells after you've done them.
• While airing your fabrics and furnishings do not let items sit in the sun for long. The sun will fade your colors. However, anything white will really benefit from being in the sun.

Resources

• See How To Clean Green by HS Schulte

[steph275]

on 10/14/2008 This is good stuff. I think we turn to sprays and cover ups too quickly when the outdoor air really is best. Thank you

[bmi57]

on 5/29/2008 Great article DUSTYMILLS. Thanks for sharing.

[showpup]

on 5/27/2008 Good information. I like to put ground cloves in my vacuum canister (or suck them up into your vacuum bag). It gives a nice scent throughout your home. 5 stars

[Elizabethknows]

on 5/27/2008 good ideas for some spring cleaning

[LilacGirl]

on 5/12/2008 I loved this article. It reminds me of when I was little and what my mom used to do.