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All natural and sneaky way to freshen a room

by Gwen Jun 7

The Bold Abode is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Read my full disclosure here.

When you have animals…that live with you…inside your house.

Like under the same roof as you are… things can get a little, well, shall we say,

Not So Fresh.

And when you live with them all the time, you tend to become accustomed to their delightful aroma.  Sometimes, I think I don’t even have a “dog” smell in my house.

And maybe I don’t, [insert laugh track here] but I don’t want to take any chances. Because when my house smells, life is just not the same.

I just want an easy way to freshen a room, yo.  I want the best home freshener I can find and I want it naturally.

But here’s the real rub… I have people in my house that don’t like scented candles… or anything that’s going to be too in your face when it comes to olfactory refreshment.

And those candles and scent thingies?  They are hard on one’s pink, ruffled change purse.  Besides, those sprays and stuff just feel toxic to me.  I want the best natural air freshener that will be safe and smell good and make my home feel clean and fresh.

I have some good news.  You don’t need any of that expensive, smelly stuff… just this:

What you need:

  • Cotton Balls
  • Peppermint or Lavender Essential Oil
  • A Cute Little Bowl (I got mine at Target)

How to Freshen a Room Naturally

First, just pop your cotton balls in the cute little bowl.

Next, add your favorite essential oil.  I’d say enough so that is soaks the top layer at least.

The end.

Except if you want to be sneaky about it.

Just hide your cute little bowl behind something.

If you want, that is.  I mean it is a cute little bowl and all.

natural way to freshen a room-6

Sometimes, I like to sit it right up under my nose.  Ahhhh….

So much better than the scents, “dog” or “cat”.

What’s your favorite essential oil to use?  Let me know down in the comments below!

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The Bold Abode is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com as well as other affiliate networks.

What the BOLD ones say:

  1. Libby says

    Oct 9 at 11:56 pm

    Misspellings are understandable when one has been sniffing peppermint extract.

    • Gwen Whitfield says

      Oct 10 at 5:00 pm

      You’re funny, Libby.

      🙂

  2. Kate says

    Oct 12 at 10:58 am

    This is such a good tip – seems a shame to be picky about spelling. Thanks for sharing this.

  3. sheila says

    Nov 1 at 6:39 pm

    I use ground coffee, about 1/4 cup, poured in my vacumn canister, then vacumn, it eliminates old house, or smoke/stale air smell. I believe the peppermint could also be added to the vacumn, to circulate this smell through the air when vacumning.

    • Shannon says

      Nov 25 at 6:40 pm

      I put peppermint onto a cotton ball and put that in my vacuum. It smells wonderful! Never thought of using coffee.

  4. Ashley says

    Dec 3 at 9:23 pm

    I love this, but you should be REALLY careful about having essential oils and kitties in the same house. Cats aren’t able to process EOs, and they can poison your kitty.

    • paulette says

      Apr 27 at 11:14 am

      Great point. I haven’t used essential oils but was getting into this post. Love the upbeat writing style! It makes me feel like I’m visiting with a friend. However, we have Sugar Gliders so I guess I need to do a little more research on essential oils before purchasing.

      • Deb says

        May 3 at 10:40 pm

        Extracts are used for baking, I don’t think she is using essential oils.

        • Gwen Whitfield says

          May 4 at 8:18 am

          You’re right Deb. I’ve since switched to using real Essential Oils in my home and they are even better for this!

          • Jeanette Miller says

            Jan 6 at 12:36 am

            I love your posts Gwen. I have used peppermint oil as a room freshener AND as an ant spray repellant. Works also in the car. But if you don’t like the smell of peppermint, use kitty litter. It works Beautifully with no aroma.

      • Gwen Whitfield says

        May 4 at 8:20 am

        Deb, since I wrote this post, I’ve started using Essential Oils from Mountain Rose Herbs. https://mountainroseherbs.com

      • shelby says

        Jun 9 at 8:35 pm

        What is a ‘sugar glider’??

        • Kar-Leigh says

          Sep 15 at 4:42 pm

          this is a sugar glider: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mT2pwtU6sF4/hqdefault.jpg

          • maria Fleming says

            Nov 1 at 4:13 am

            so so cute.

      • Jan Blomgren says

        Jan 7 at 10:12 am

        They are so cute!

    • Laurel Marble says

      Apr 28 at 1:26 am

      That is true about essential oils and cats. I had just purchased a bunch of assorted essential oils and a diffuser, and a few weeks later was reading about using them with a cat in the same room. Very poisonous. And very disappointing. BUT…now I use them in my bedroom when the door is closed and the cat is on the other side of it. Ahhh :))

  5. Dawn Floyd says

    Dec 16 at 7:46 pm

    What a lively page and awesome tip!

  6. Susan says

    Dec 28 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks for the great idea. I have some orange/clove essential oil that I boil in water. It is amazing!!! But this is so much easier! Love it!

    • Chloe Cox says

      Jun 9 at 8:58 am

      I would recommend using a diffuser instead of boiling. You will get better results. (Love our doterra oils!) You can find some really nice priced diffusers on Amazon!

      • Gwen says

        Jun 9 at 9:30 am

        I don’t actually boil it, Chole. I just pop a few drops on the cotton and it works great! I’m sure a diffuser works really well, but if you don’t have one or don’t want to spend the money, this is a great alternative!

        Gwen

  7. Nita says

    Jan 6 at 11:47 pm

    this is also supposed to deter mice

    • Deb says

      May 3 at 10:42 pm

      That’s what the cat is for!!! haha 🙂

      • Gwen Whitfield says

        May 4 at 8:21 am

        True. So true!

  8. Lynn says

    Jan 9 at 6:55 pm

    Love this idea as we have a lot of animals (own a farm) I have tried so many things they either smell like flowery animals or the fresh smell doesn’t last long. I have sprayed fragrances in the vacuum before as the vacuum filter tends to start smelling doggy but never tried the coffee. I will be trying that also !
    On another note if some one has to be so picky about spelling when you are giving your precious time to write this blog for every one else maybe they should go to an educational site and give their opinion ! These “smart” phones/electronic devices most have spell correct and I can’t tell you how many times my phone has either misspelled or completely changed every thing I type out ! Not such a “smart” phone LOL Different countries do use different spellings and meanings also !! I love your blog thanks for sharing !!

  9. Amanda says

    Apr 28 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks for the great idea!!!! We just moved into a new apartment that is way smaller, and between the old apartment smell and the smaller space with two cats and a 5 year old boy, the smell is driving me CRAZY! 🙂 Totally going to try this out!

    • Gwen Whitfield says

      Apr 30 at 10:25 am

      Hi Amanda! I hope it helps. I have lots of other ways to freshen your home if you have stinky carpet and stuff. Check them out here: https://www.theboldabode.com/tag/naturally-fresh-home/

      And be sure to let me know how everything goes! {boys are the stinkiest, aren’t they? I have 2 of them!}

  10. Fran Williams says

    May 31 at 9:00 pm

    This is a great idea. Thank you for sharing. I am wondering how tea tree oil would work. I am told it repels head lice so maybe it will ward off mosquitoes, too

  11. Marly says

    Jun 3 at 10:18 pm

    Great tip! And what is that delightful font?

  12. ilene van der schyff says

    Jun 12 at 4:37 am

    i love this idea, and use aromatherapy essential oils often in the spa where i work, just one note though… before you just take any essential oil, do some research first as to what its uses are and especially its contraindications!! peppermint for instance is one of my favorite essential oils, i use it often, it helps for nausea and relieves tension headaches. i like to use it in the steam room for my clients ( if they are not contraindicated it it) as an decongestant. it is also awesome in in a blend for massage in the hot summer months to cool the body, and stimulate blood circulation… but is not good to use if you have heart problems or before you go to bed…!! too stimulating!! …. you can check out http://www.aromaweb.com for info on the different essential oils. they are very concentrated so use with care… especially if you blend ylang ylang and rose together.. both are aphrodisiacs and blending those will make the blend an aphrodisiac blend even though they have other benefits too!! haha.. you might like the smell but not the bodily result! and remember… even though you wont be applying the oil to your skin, you still inhale it and they will have the same results as when it is applied to the skin! 🙂

    • Gwen says

      Jun 12 at 6:25 am

      That is fabulous information, Ilene! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with me and my readers!

  13. Dee says

    Jun 26 at 2:15 pm

    PLEASE be careful w/the essential oils. There are “essential oils” and then there are therapeutic essential oils. For general fragrances and stuff in candles most additives are NOT therapeutic, they are chemical replications, the “junk” that’s left over after processing etc. As someone noted, do your research and be careful especiallyy what you put in bedrooms.

    I note that in the picture it shows peppermint flavoring but says essential oil in the directions. The flavoring won’t hurt you; also won’t help except for making things smell better. Essential oils are therapeutic–that’s why they have been used for hundreds of years, even referenced in the Bible. Peppermint is great! for stomach upset.

    As to the caution about cats, before I knew better I sat in a room with tons of essential oils and my cats never got sick, but cats have died because they have a unique system that can’t tolerate essential oils, especially if they are taken internally. Totally support the idea that you must check with a qualified aromatherapist before using the essential oils on the cat, n bedding, or anyway they can get into it internally.

    • Gwen says

      Jun 26 at 8:30 pm

      Thanks for your thoughts, Dee!

  14. sara says

    Jul 17 at 2:06 pm

    Be careful!! I dont know about other animals but peppermint oil is dangerous for cats

    • Gwen says

      Aug 13 at 8:08 pm

      I’ve heard that, too, Sara. I keep them away from my kitty.

      Gwen

  15. Rebecca says

    Aug 20 at 4:23 pm

    After reading this article, I went to my local Sprouts and purchased Peppermint essential oil. I followed your directions exactly. I put the small bowl on my bedroom dresser, which is upstairs. Within an hour or so, you could smell it all the way downstairs! I was bewildered that the peppermint aroma carried all throughout the whole entire 1900 sq. ft house! I have three dogs. So you can imagine what people must smell when they enter my house. But the Peppermint works wonders and smells so clean. It lasted about a week before I had to reapply some more oil. I wonder if there are other oils that can be used besides Peppermint that work just as wonderful? Thank you for this awesome tip! You have save me a lot of money buying scentsys.

    • Gwen says

      Aug 28 at 2:11 pm

      Yay! That is fantastic, Rebecca! I’m so glad it worked for you. I love this method of freshening things up. I say try any oil you like. Lavender is another one of my very favorites and I use it all the time!

  16. Cassie says

    Sep 20 at 2:31 am

    I love this idea! I thought you might enjoy knowing that as an RN we used this exact idea in the hospital to help with unimaginable smells! We had to get the peppermint oil from the pharmacy. We used medicine cups and gauze to put drops of the oil on then put them in the hallway. Nothing else ever helped.

    • Gwen says

      Sep 24 at 5:23 pm

      Cassie-

      I guess if it works in a hospital, it will work in a private home too! Thanks for sharing.

      Gwen

  17. Candy says

    Oct 1 at 7:05 pm

    all rodents are allergic to peppermint oil ( rats ,mice moles ect) so the peppermint oil inside the house serves 2 purposes wonderful way to freshen the air in the house and it will also keep the mice out the y want nothing to do with it ! You can also put it onto a cotton ball then roll the cotton ball in red pepper and put it into an active mole run and they will clear out pronto ! Gotta love that peppermint oil!!!

    • Gwen says

      Oct 2 at 4:09 pm

      Candy,

      Thanks so much for sharing!

      Gwen

  18. Michele says

    Oct 17 at 11:57 am

    I put a few drops in a cotton ball and then either hang or sit it in the air/heating vents. This way the smell or oil can be customized for each room. If I want a whole house smell, I put it on the grate side of my return air vent.

    • Gwen says

      Oct 19 at 11:24 am

      Michele,
      Good tips! Thanks for sharing.
      Gwen

  19. Mac says

    Nov 21 at 9:05 am

    You are saying essential oils, but you are showing extract. A lot of difference, in product and price. Oils would definitely last longer, since most extracts are alcohol based, thus evaporate.

    • Gwen says

      Nov 26 at 9:47 am

      Actually, I posted an UPDATE to this article several months ago about how I switched to essential oils. Perhaps you missed it! 🙂

  20. Rebecca says

    Jan 18 at 5:49 pm

    As well as deterring rodents, it will run off spiders and fruit flies.

    • Gwen says

      Jan 20 at 9:45 am

      Great to know, Rebecca!

      Gwen

  21. Ellen Davis says

    Feb 16 at 11:47 am

    One more comment about peppermint essential oil: it “can” cause breathing problems in babies, even children up to age two. This method is probably safe, but I wouldn’t put a baby down in the same room just to be safe. Diffusing is more likely to cause a problem, so it’s best to keep babies away from it.

    Now I’m off to try your suggestion.

    • Gwen says

      Feb 18 at 2:13 pm

      Thanks for your tips, Ellen.

      xoxo

      Gwen

  22. Amanda says

    Mar 14 at 12:26 pm

    Hi I just found this from Pinterest and agree it’s a fabulous idea! It’s not only cheaper than the smelly things in stores, but such a safer alternative to that garbage! Lots of insects don’t like peppermint as well, so it works as a natural insect repellant too. 🙂

    • Gwen says

      Apr 1 at 4:02 pm

      Amanda,
      Thanks for sharing!
      Gwen

  23. Leann says

    Jun 6 at 11:27 am

    I think this would also be great to use at an outdoor gathering to ward off mosquitoes using fragrances like tea tree oil and citronella. I may have to try that next time to see if it works. Right now I am using peppermint in one room and lavender with vanilla in another. So far, they are smelling really good.

  24. Laurie says

    Oct 13 at 7:58 am

    I recently used the eucalyptus on those same cotton pads next to my bed (the kids won’t give up the diffuser with lavender for sleeping). I got rid of my cold overnight. Went to bed with a stuffy nose and beginning to cough. Nose cleared within 10 minutes and I was fine the next morning. It wasn’t a coincidence or the cold running its course because it was just starting!

  25. Linda Robles says

    Jan 4 at 8:26 pm

    We have 4 dogs and 3 cats… so you can imagine how AMAZING this post is for me!!! I just went and did it. I put Peppermint Oil on a little cotton ball and can’t wait to smell the results!

    I put a few drops of Tea Tree Oil near our beds every few days to help us sleep and also keep bed bugs away. It’s really been helping and is SO easy!

    Thanks for your awesome (and hilarious) post!

  26. Anne says

    Feb 4 at 3:48 am

    You are hilarious Gwen. Your writing style had me smiling. Thanks for the laugh.
    Great idea to stop “smells” in the house. I always vacuum up a teaspoon of cinnamon whenever I clean the floors, it smells delicious. Cheers 🙂

  27. jeanette says

    Aug 13 at 8:34 pm

    hi ! how many pads are you putting in those adorable little bowls ?

    thanks

    • Gwen says

      Aug 23 at 7:42 pm

      Just a couple, jeanette!

      Gwen

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