How’s your home smell? Does it smell clean and fresh? Or, after a winter with the windows closed up to keep the cold at bay and months of cooking comfort meals, has it developed a little bit of an unpleasant smell? You may even be a bit “nose-blind” to the odors in your home, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

So what can you do to get rid of the smells in your home? Burn a few candles? Spray some of those store-bought room deodorizers? Sure, they can help, but how about making your own air fresheners?

There are lots of simple ideas that can help freshen up your home. Most are easy to make and don’t involve a whole bunch of ingredients. And more importantly, you can choose a scent that you enjoy.

• Citrus Rind Air Fresheners: With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this great smelling air freshener for your home. Just hollow out a grapefruit, fill it with sea salt, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and a sprig of your favorite herb. The salt can help absorb the odors that you’re trying to get rid of, and the essential oil will put out a scent you love.
• All-Natural Room Spray: If you’re trying to avoid chemicals and the sometimes unnatural smell that comes from commercial room sprays, then try making your own. The materials are simple: 
  • Spray bottles
  • Essential oils
  • Distilled water
  • Unscented witch hazel (witch hazel helps the oil and water mix and is available at retailers like Target, Walmart, CVS or online)
  • While Martha Stewart adds dried flowers at the end, you really only need to do this if you want to “pretty up” your air freshener.
• Homemade Air Freshener with Fabric Softener: Sometimes odors get trapped in your furniture or carpet and can be difficult to remove. This homemade air freshener is meant to replace Febreze and only requires your favorite fabric softener, baking soda, water, and a spray bottle. It’s definitely a money-saver!
• Reed Oil Diffuser: You’ve probably seen reed oil diffusers in your local candle store or home goods store, but they can be rather pricey to purchase pre-made. Don’t worry – they’re easy to make at home – in a scent, you know you like. But, what’s really cool about this project is the chance to make some creative shapes for diffusing your oil. Rattan chair caning can be twisted to create some unique looks, and it works equally well as reeds for dispersing the scent.
• Homemade Air Freshener with Essential Oil and Herbs: If you’ve got 5 minutes and baking soda, your favorite essential oil, dried herbs, and a jar or shaker container, you can make this air freshener. Baking soda does a great job of absorbing odors (which is why it’s often suggested that you place a box in your refrigerator), and the essential oils and herbs will bring a fresh scent to your room.
• DIY Gel Air Freshener: Are you a fan of gel air fresheners because they seem to last a long time? Then make your own! It’s like making homemade Jell-O, but with your essential oils and unflavored gelatin. They can be colored to match your decor and last for several weeks before needing to be changed. 

If you’re trying to bring some more natural products into your home or you want to save money, or you just enjoy a good DIY project, then try these DIY air fresheners. Your home will smell fantastic!