Let’s be honest—most of us go out of our way to keep our homes looking spotless and smelling fresh. We scrub, mop, and disinfect every corner, trying every home cleaning trick in the book. But there’s more to a clean home than just shiny floors—there’s that inviting scent that makes you want to stay a little longer.
Sure, store-bought air fresheners can do the trick for a while, but the scent often fades far too quickly. You clean your rooms, you spray, and within an hour or two… it’s gone.
Here’s the good news: you can make your very own homemade cleaning solutions for freshening the air using simple, natural cleaning ingredients—and it often works better and lasts longer than anything you’ll find on a store shelf. This easy at home cleaning project will make your home smell amazing without harmful chemicals. Let’s walk through how to make it.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lemons
- 3 tablespoons of coarse salt
- 3 tablespoons of ethyl alcohol
- 1 capful of concentrated fabric softener
- Cloves (optional, but highly recommended)
- 1–2 small containers
These basic items are all you need to create one of the simplest homemade cleaning solutions for keeping your space fresh.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the lemons
Slice each lemon into four sections, but don’t cut all the way through—leave the pieces connected at the base so they hold together. Place one lemon in each container. This is one of those cleaning tricks that’s both easy and effective.
2. Add the salt
Spoon three tablespoons of coarse salt into the center of each cut lemon. This helps absorb moisture and enhances the scent—perfect for room cleaning freshness.
3. Pour in the alcohol
Drizzle three tablespoons of ethyl alcohol right over the salt. This not only helps release the fragrance but also acts as a natural disinfectant, supporting your house clean routine.
4. Mix in the fabric softener
Add a capful of concentrated fabric softener to each lemon. This is where that fresh laundry scent comes into play—another win for at home cleaning.
5. Optional: Add cloves
Drop a few cloves into the mix for an extra layer of aroma. When combined with the citrusy lemon, cloves create a warm, sweet, and refreshing scent—and they even help the lemon last longer.
Tips and Variations
- This recipe makes enough for two containers—perfect for placing one in the kitchen and one in the living room. But there’s no limit—make a few more and place them around your home for a consistent, pleasant fragrance in every room.
- Experiment with different citrus fruits like oranges or limes, or swap the fabric softener for a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
- Pair this freshener with other cleaning solutions for a home that not only smells great but feels truly clean.
- Use it after room cleaning to lock in a fresh scent that complements your regular house clean schedule.
With just a handful of cleaning ingredients, you’ve now got yourself a natural, effective, and long-lasting room freshener. It’s an easy home cleaning project, affordable, and—best of all—customizable to your own scent preferences. Give it a try and enjoy a home that smells as welcoming as it feels.
