Parenting Pointers: Making Sense of Scents

Perhaps your house has gotten musty with all those after-school football practice uniforms piling up in the laundry room, or maybe your pet has the run of the house, turning it into a stink factory. Or maybe you just want to boost the scent situation in your house to make it more appealing to yourself, family members, and guests. There are easy ways to get your home smelling beautiful, and you can mix and match different scents with the seasons.

Fresh Air

You have many options when it comes to making your house smell awesome, and that doesn’t mean using candles all the time—although they are certainly excellent standbys. First and foremost, if the weather allows, open up the windows to let in some fresh air. There's nothing like the smell of fresh clean air to rejuvenate and inspire you. Who knows, maybe it will even motivate you to get some deep cleaning done. It's good for your health, too. WebMD recommends opening up your windows so toxic chemicals, pet dander, mold, and mildew, don't build up in your home. And if you or your child suffers from pollen allergies, simply ventilate all rooms with a filtered air-conditioning system.

Scent Central

If you still want to add a touch of scent to the air, consider air sprays, plug-ins, air infusers, potpourri, scented oils, incense, or flowers. Incense goes nicely in the bedroom, while potpourri pairs well with kitchens and living rooms. Certain scents belong in certain rooms of your home, though. Martha Stewart recommends placing lightly scented candles in bathrooms because you want to avoid heavy perfumes in small spaces. Keep food and scented candles away from each other. This means avoiding placing candles in your kitchen or dining room while you're cooking and serving a delicious meal because the two aromas can compete with each other, causing sensory overload and confusion. Keep your scents in line with the season, which means florals for spring, fruits for summer, and cinnamon and spice for fall and winter. Keep citrus scents in the kitchen for a fresh, clean aroma. And whatever you do, don't mask unpleasant odors with candles or sprays, as these can actually make the odors stronger.

Aromatherapy

You can forgo the expensive candles and sprays and instead make your own aromatherapy scents using essential oils. You can make your own fresh mint room spray, an invigorating scent with citrus undertones. Reader's Digest suggests mixing 10 drops of peppermint oil, 5 drops each of lemon essential oil and orange essential oil, and 2 tablespoons of orange flower water in a pump-spray bottle. Spritz as needed. If you prefer the smell of freshly baked cookies, try this cleaning tip recommended by the Huffington Post: Next time you clean your oven, clean the appliance with a natural cleaner made of soap, baking soda, and white vinegar. Then add a few drops of vanilla extract to a rag or sponge and rub the appliance down. The next time you turn on the oven, the whole house will be filled with the smell of Grandma's cookies.

There are many ways to keep your house smelling fresh and fruity or cozy and warm, depending on the season. Mix and match until you find the right combination for your family.

This article was provided by Samantha Greenbaum, mother of two with a nose for great smelling home. If you're looking for a great option to keep your house smelling wonderful, Samantha recommends trying a room diffuser.