In many ways our pets rule the roost of whatever home they live in, Whether the smell is caused by wet pet coats, dirty paws, or poo-poo accidents, most pet-owners are willing to put up with quite a lot for the love of a pet. Nevertheless, we still find ourselves looking for some sweet-smelling fragrances to lift the pet-odors from around the house. If you prefer to avoid strong aerosols products, here are some natural air-fresheners you can make right at home, which will clear out any stench that your smelly cat might have caused. Here are a few of our favorite tricks of the trade!

Natural Air Fresheners

Sweet Caldron Method: Though this might sound more like a witch brewing up something mixed with frogs and toads, boiling water infused with delicious ingredients is one of the quickest ways to get yummy fragrances in the air. First fill a pot with water, and add several sticks of cinnamon, vanilla extract and any other spices or fruity scents you want wafting through your home. When the liquid gets low, add a few more cups of water and keep the pot on a simmer so as not to burn any of the ingredients.

Essential Oil Spray: Find an empty spray bottle and fill it with 3 parts water and one part vodka. Then add 15-20 drops of whatever essential oil combination you would like to add to the mix. This can then be spritzed throughout the house as an aerosol-free solution to zap the stale or pet-stinky air. (If carrying around a spray bottle seems unsightly or inconvenient, consider getting an essential-oils mister/humidifier to do the trick automatically for you!)

Fruit and Herb Infusions: Using a similar method to the essential oils, fill a mason jar with water and vodka blend, and then add sliced lemon, orange, or lime in it. Add fresh basil leaves, mint, or lavender stocks/pods or whatever other flavors you would like to the water and vodka blend and let it sit overnight. Strain the liquid and fill a spray bottle. (The blends could then also be fortified with essential oils for a stronger and more lasting fragrance.)

Baking soda freshener: If liquid air fresheners just aren’t your thing, consider using baking soda instead! Put ½ a cup of baking soda in a mason jar with a detachable metal lid. Drop about 10-20 drops of your essential oil of choice into the baking soda. Take colorful piece of paper (from a stationary or scrapbooking store, so that the jar looks nice enough to leave on your coffee table or counter) and cut it out in a circle so as to fit under the lid of the metal circle that twists onto the jar. Then poke holes in the paper circle so that the fragrance can lift out of the jar and slowly deodorize your home.

Some additional ingredients that make houses smell delicious:

  • Essential oils (lavender, peppermint, rose, lemon, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, etc.)
  • Fresh oranges, limes, and lemons
  • Dried orange, lemon or lime peel
  • Dried or fresh ginger root
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Lavender sprigs
  • Rosemary
  • Basil
  • Vanilla bark (or vanilla extract)
  • Almost extract
  • Coconut extract
  • Peppermint leaves (or extract)
  • Green tea leaves/extract/tea bags
  • Cedar bark/twigs
  • Black peppercorns
  • Cloves
  • Cardamom seeds
  • Bergamot tea bags (can use Earl Grey or Lady Jane Grey)