11 Ways to Keep Your Living Room Smelling Fresh

They say that of all the senses, our sense of smell is the one most connected to our memories. A certain flower, a waft of cooking or a hint of summer herbs can transport us comfortingly back to our grandmother’s sitting room, our mother’s kitchen or our favourite childhood holiday.

Similarly, there’s nothing quite as bothersome as a bad smell, especially in our living areas where we spend so much time and are most likely to entertain.

Fortunately, a bit of light elbow grease here and there will keep odour-causing particles from building up. And with our easy tips and tricks, your living room will smell fabulously fresh all of the time.

1. Keep your carpets clean

Dirt, crumbs and pet hair have a way of getting into the carpet despite regular vacuuming.

Freshen it up by sprinkling it with bicarbonate of soda (or another carpet cleaning product), leaving it for a couple of hours then vacuuming it up. Ideally, have your carpet professionally cleaned every year.

2. Clean your walls

Airborne particles – from food or body odours, for example – can settle on walls and keep bad smells lingering in the air.

A spray bottle with warmed vinegar may remove some stains, although for stubborn smells such as cigarette smoke, repainting them may be the best solution.

3. Keep moisture out

Mould and mildew can stain your walls, ceilings and furniture, and release spores that smell bad and aggravate allergies.

Any signs of mould should be removed as soon as possible with bleach and water, or by a professional if necessary. Prevent further outbreaks by checking for leaky fixtures and ensuring the room is properly ventilated.

4. Look after your upholstery

The more you use your rising recliner chair or power recliner sofa the more smells it may accumulate, from grease and sweat to pet odours and food spills.

However, it’s easy to keep your mobility furniture fresh; simply treat leather with a protective polish, wash removable covers regularly and deep clean it at least once or twice a year.

5. Filter the air

If you’re prepared to spend a bit more money, consider investing in an air purifier, which removes small particles such as allergens and pollutants from the air.

They’re particularly effective at removing persistent pongs such as smoke and pet smells, and once that’s done will keep your air clean and fresh every day.

6. Clean your heat sources

Dust, dirt and oils accumulate on heaters as much as any surface, but the heat will accentuate any funny smells and send them back into the room.

Use a special brush to clear dust from the radiators, and if you have ducted units, clean the filters regularly. Give your light bulbs an occasional wipe, making sure not to touch any metal parts with the damp cloth.

7. Keep out kitchen smells

If you have an open plan living arrangement, smells from the kitchen will probably drift into the living room, and if you’re cooking something particularly pungent including fish, curry or eggs, you won’t want them lingering on the upholstery.

Try this simple traditional tip: soak a piece of bread in a bowl of vinegar to neutralise and contain some of the smell.

8. Open the window

There’s nothing like a whiff of fresh air when the weather is good. Even when it isn’t, a few minutes with the window open each day will make a significant difference to the air inside your living room.

To really bring nature in, plant scented flowers such as rose or honeysuckle outside the window, or add a window box of your favourite herbs.

9. Light a fire

On cooler days and evenings, lighting a fire is a way of bringing nature in without the weather, and it has a lovely, warming smell of its own.

To enhance the aromatic experience, throw on natural fuels such as citrus peel, pine cones, cinnamon or herbs.

10. Odour neutralising sprays

These products have an active ingredient that works by binding to and partially dissolving odour particles, blocking them so you can’t smell them.

Some have an added scent, while others only neutralise the odour so you can replace it with one of your own.

11. Introduce your favourite smell

Scented candles, essential oils, air fresheners and sprays are all effective ways to make your room smell good.

There are a wide range of diffusers for oils available today. An alternative is an electric freshener that releases perfume at regular intervals.

A bowl of warm water infused with herbs, spices, citrus or vanilla will safely scent a room, or simply add a vase of scented flowers.

The bottom line

There’s nothing like a fresh-smelling living room. Whether it’s a refreshing breeze or your favourite spice that greets you when you walk in, it makes a room welcoming not just for you, but your family and guests as well.

Keeping your room fresh by regularly cleaning the surfaces and upholstery will prevent odorous particles from building up and hanging around. Without any bad smells to worry about, you can introduce a favourite one of your own, and ensure your house will smell good all the time. Only one problem remains – which wonderful scent to choose?!