Let’s face it—it’s kind of a smelly world out there.
And even if you’re trying to keep your home smell pleasant, there will always be persistent odors that you’d want to remove. And, odor removal services can get quite pricey.
Luckily, there’s a range of homemade odor eliminators you can make yourself—ranging from super simple sprays to wax melts.
Let’s check them out.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide Spray
This is a powerful spray that helps you tackle tough odors like pet urine and vomit.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide
- 2 teaspoons of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid
- A spray bottle
Combine the ingredients in the bottle and swirl gently to mix it—do not shake.
You can use this simple solution on carpets, upholstery, or any fabric or surface that needs freshening up.
The good: It neutralizes odors rather than just masking them, which makes it highly effective for deep cleaning.
The bad: It’s an active, rather than a “passive” odor removal solution. So you can’t really set-and-forget this one.
2. DIY Gel Air Fresheners
Gel air fresheners are a visually appealing option that can also decorate your home.
They are also a bit tougher to make. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup of cool water
- 1 package of gelatin
- 1 teaspoon vodka
- ½ teaspoon of your favorite essential oil
Heat half the water to dissolve the gelatin, then mix all the ingredients and pour them into very small jars.
Set them into odor-centric places around your home to absorb odors naturally. And also provides a pleasant scent.
3. Deodorizer Disks
If you’re up for a bit of work, you can make appealing deodorizer disks.
They are perfect for absorbing odors, but also moisture, and also don’t take up too much space.
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups of baking soda
- 1 cup of distilled water
- 3-4 drops of essential oil of your choice
Mix it all until it forms a thick paste, then pour it into a silicone mold and let it dry for around 48 hours.
Once hardened, you can place them in areas that need to freshen up—like closets. Or bathrooms.
4. Essential Oil Wax Melts
If you want to turn odor removal into a fun creative process—try creating wax melts.
Start by placing a slow cooker liner in your slow cooker and adding two cups of soy wax pellets.
Heat on low until melted, then mix in one teaspoon of lavender essential oil, ¾ teaspoon of cedarwood essential oil, and ½ teaspoon of vetiver essential oil. Pour the mixture into silicone molds sprinkled with dried lavender.
Once solid, remove the melts for use in a wax warmer.
A bonus upside: If you find your wax melts effective, you can also turn it into a “side hustle” or even a business, who knows? Many wax melt companies started just like this!
5. Essential Oil Spray
This is probably the simplest of all odor-removal solutions you can make at home.
Just combine 1 cup of water with 10-15 drops of your preferred essential oil. Then pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray your rooms and fabrics.
This method can eliminate odors but also leave behind pleasant fragrances.
A caveat: This is a quick DIY solution but it’s not long-lasting. Therefore, you might want to spray it when an odor is short-term but you still want to remove it instantly. In toilets, for example.
6. Coffee Grounds
They smell good and boost energy. But coffee grounds can also absorb strong odors effectively.
How to do this: Place dry coffee grounds in open containers around your home—especially in the fridge or freezer—to neutralize smells naturally.
Some place a tablespoon or two in a little cup and place it where you need to combat bad odors.
They can also be used in the kitchen to combat food odors after cooking. Some users would just spill a few coffee grounds on the carpet, and vacuum it later, for instance.
There’s a caveat here: If the environment you’d use coffee grounds in is susceptible to insects or rodents, it’s best not to try your luck.
7. Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer due to its acidic properties—and it’s also something you probably have in your home.
How to make an odor removal solution: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Use this solution to wipe down surfaces or spray into the air to neutralize odors.
The vinegar smell dissipates quickly, taking unwanted odors with it.
The major downside is that, like hydrogen peroxide spray—this is an “active odor removal method,” used in smaller areas.
If you have a permanent odor problem that’s nagging you, it might not help.
If Homemade Solutions Fail, Air Purifier Helps
In unfortunate circumstances, the odor might be too strong for your homemade solutions to work. But even then, not all is lost.
An air purifier for odor removal with advanced filtration technology—including HEPA filters that capture airborne particles—can eliminate odors quickly and effectively.
Our Rabbit Air Purifier has customizable filter options—such as our recently-released green tea filter, which can make your living space fresh and replace odor with pleasant, natural air.
Check them out below.
