Things people with nice-smelling living rooms always do – and why it works

Besides the kitchen, our living rooms see most of the action in our homes – especially when we have guests. So it's worth paying attention to scent by using a home fragrance and getting rid of any unwanted odors, as this has a huge impact on how a home feels.

Although there are several ways to make a home smell nice, cleaning your living room is the quickest and easiest way to establish a fresh scent that won't have guests turning away at the door.

Here, professional cleaners have shared the seven things people with nice-smelling living rooms always do, and how you can replicate the results at home.

Things people with nice-smelling living rooms always do  

One of the first things interior designers notice in a room when they enter is the fragrance – or lack thereof - in a space. Acing your living room’s fragrance layering and using some good cleaning tips can help take your home‘s ambiance to the next level. 

This is what to consider: 

1. Deep clean carpets and rugs

The deep fibers of carpets and rugs are notorious for holding onto bad odors, especially if your household wears shoes indoors. Deep-cleaning carpets and cleaning area rugs is, then, the best place to start when trying to make a living room smell nice, says Kathy Cohoon, operations manager and cleaning expert at Two Maids & A Mop.

‘If your floors are carpeted and have some stains, use a homemade solution of vinegar diluted with water and some baking soda to help lift the stains and deodorize,’ she suggests. ‘This solution is natural and non-toxic and will remove any lingering smells caused by dirt or stains on the carpet, in addition to removing the stain itself. 

Alternatively, ‘you can invest in cleaners formulated to deodorize,’ she adds. ‘Oppositely, if you deal with a sensitive nose or allergies go for one that is scent-free and use lemon juice and baking soda to get rid of any residual, unwanted smells after cleaning.’

2. Ensure the room is well ventilated

Cleaning can only take you so far when trying to make a living room smell nice, as a build-up of cleaning products and everyday odors can suffocate the space and lead to a musty smell. 

Maria Mooney, cleaning expert and brand director at Truly Free always makes sure to turn on a fan when cleaning or open a window to ‘help circulate air and reduce moisture.’ 

You may also want to opt for using a dehumidifier, or air purifier too to help keep the air in your space balanced and cleansed, especially in the colder months when opening the window may not be the best idea. 

Maria Mooney

Truly Free has been a leading producer of eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products for family homes for over six years.

3. Add in a signature scent

There are several ways of adding fragrance to a living room, from using reed diffusers to the best candles.

That being said, misting your soft furnishings with essential oil mixes can help provide a lasting fragrance while eliminating odors held onto by your furniture and throw pillows, says Prerna Jain, cleaning expert at Ministry of Cleaning. 

‘Lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus essential oils work wonderfully for a relaxing and soothing ambiance,’ she says.

4. Regularly wash soft furnishings

Besides frequently misting your soft furnishings to freshen up their scent, washing them regularly can also help to get rid of trapped odors in the fabrics and fillings – this includes washing curtains and drapes too. 

‘Soft furnishings, such as curtains, throw pillows, and upholstery, can absorb odors over time. Wash or dry clean these items regularly to keep them smelling fresh. Additionally, you can sprinkle baking soda on upholstered furniture, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it off to neutralize odors effectively,’ recommends Muffetta Krueger, cleaning expert and founder of Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants. 

If your soft furnishings are not suitable for your washing machine, then you can opt to use one of the best steam cleaners, such as H&G’s favorite Black&Decker 7in1 Steam Mop, available at Amazon, to help steam clean a couch and other delicate items to kill bacteria and freshen up the smell of your space.  

Black&Decker 7in1 Steam Mop | $142.93 at Amazon
Crowned our best steam mop overall, this steamer comes with seven head attachments for steam cleaning your whole home, from hard floors to delicate drapes. 

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Muffetta Krueger

Muffetta Krueger is a driving force in the domestic service business, with over 15 years of operational management experience in the industry.

5. Pay attention to the smaller high-touch areas

Although you might not think of your TV remote and light switches causing a bad smell, an overall build-up of grease and bacteria in high-touch areas can contribute to bad smells over time.

Maria Mooney, a cleaning expert, reminds us that: ‘small details can make a big difference in the cleanliness of the living room. I always wipe down surfaces like remotes, light switches, and end tables. It works great on most surfaces throughout your home, including appliances, toys, tables, chairs, kitchen countertops, sinks/basins, cabinets, and many other hard surfaces.’ 

6. Incorporate real plants to freshen the air naturally

Although not as powerful as an air purifier, real plants can help to purify your home's air and reduce humidity, in turn preventing musty odors, says Muffetta Kreuger, cleaning expert. 

‘Plants not only add beauty to your living room but also act as natural air purifiers. Select houseplants known as good air-cleaning indoor plants, such as spider plants, peace lilies, or aloe vera. These plants can help eliminate pollutants and improve air quality while infusing the room with a natural, fresh scent.’ 

7. Dust regularly and thoroughly

It is highly unlikely you will be able to completely get rid of dust in your home, but dusting regularly and thoroughly, making sure not to miss or skip any shelves or picture frames can all help to freshen up your living room’s scent, says Millie Hurst, Solved section editor for Homes & Gardens.  

Millie Hurst

Millie Hurst is section editor at Homes & Gardens, overseeing the Solved section, which provides readers with practical advice for their homes. Millie has written about and tried out countless cleaning and DIY hacks in the six years since she became a journalist, and has worked in both London and New York. 

FAQs

Establishing a fresh scent or picking a signature scent for your home is one of the best ways to make a home feel welcoming, so establish a good cleaning routine and try to stick to it the best you can – consistency is the secret power of those of us who have consistently nice-smelling homes.