Natural Home Odor Eliminator: 7 Simple DIY Methods

The most reliable natural home odor eliminator is a three-step routine: remove the source, ventilate, then use something that absorbs smells, such as baking soda, rather than something that perfumes over them. Most of what follows is a variation on that order.

If you're wondering how to deodorize my house naturally without buying anything new, start with what's already in the pantry. Here's what works, where it works, and what to skip, especially in a home with a dog or cat.

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Why natural odor eliminators beat air fresheners

An air freshener adds a scent on top of the smell. An odor eliminator removes or traps the molecules causing it. That difference matters for your air, too: the City of Salt Lake City's sustainability team notes that many plug-in air fresheners emit dozens of different VOCs, even those labeled unscented or natural.

So a fragrance that says "natural" on the label isn't automatically the gentler choice. Absorbing the smell and letting fresh air in is simpler and cheaper.

Start with the source, then ventilate

Smells have a source: a damp towel, a trash can, a pet bed, a carpet that took a spill. Find it first. Otherwise you're deodorizing around the problem.

• Wash or remove soft items that hold smells: pet bedding, throw blankets, bath mats.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery, since dust and pet dander hold odor.
• Open windows on opposite sides of the room for 10-15 minutes to get a cross-breeze.
• Check for dampness. A musty smell usually means moisture, and no powder fixes that.

If a spill soaked through a rug into the pad, clean and dry the pad too. The smell returns otherwise.

Baking soda for absorbing odors

Baking soda is the workhorse here. Utah State University Extension explains that baking soda neutralizes acid-based odors in water and adsorbs odors from the air.

On carpets, rugs and upholstery

Sprinkle a thin, even layer, let it sit for at least 30 minutes (overnight is better for stale smells), then vacuum slowly. A thick layer doesn't work better, it just takes longer to vacuum up.

In closets, shoes and the fridge

Leave an open jar or a small bowl of baking soda on a shelf. Replace it every month or so. For shoes, sprinkle a spoonful inside and tap it out the next day.

A scented carpet powder

Mix 1 cup baking soda with about 10 drops of lavender or lemon essential oil in a jar and shake. Sprinkle, wait 30 minutes, vacuum. Keep essential oils away from pets (see below).

White vinegar for deodorizing

Vinegar is acidic, so it breaks down alkaline residues and mineral deposits. A spray of equal parts white vinegar and water works on hard surfaces, trash cans and the inside of a stinky dishwasher. The vinegar smell fades as it dries.

For a baking soda and vinegar odor remover on a drain or a smelly cooler, sprinkle baking soda first, pour in vinegar, let it fizz, then rinse. Don't mix them in a closed bottle, since the gas builds pressure. Test on a hidden spot before using vinegar on natural stone, which acid can etch, or on wool.

For a fuller carpet routine, see our homemade carpet cleaning solutions.

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Activated charcoal and air purifiers

Activated charcoal bags are porous and hold smells inside closets, cars, shoe cabinets and near litter boxes. They're quiet and unscented. Set them out of reach of pets, and re-charge them in sunlight as the package directs.

For a room with ongoing smells from cooking or pets, a purifier with an activated carbon filter helps more than any spray. It filters continuously, while a powder only works for the hours it sits there.

A natural dog odor eliminator for home

Dog smell lives mostly in fabric: beds, blankets, rugs and the sofa spot they claim. As an architect, I'd recommend washable covers on anything your dog is allowed on, because washing beats any spray.

• Wash dog bedding weekly in hot water if the care label allows.
• Sprinkle baking soda on the sofa or rug, wait, then vacuum with an upholstery tool.
• Vacuum floors often. Hair and dander carry odor.
• For urine, blot first, then use an enzyme cleaner made for pet accidents. See our pet urine carpet cleaner guide.

Skip tea tree oil and be cautious with any essential oil around pets. Check with your vet before diffusing or applying oils where animals sleep. Also avoid ammonia-based cleaners in homes with cats, since the smell can resemble urine.

A DIY natural air freshener that won't bother pets

The simplest diy natural air freshener isn't a spray at all. Simmer a pot of water with citrus peels and a cinnamon stick on low heat for an hour, adding water as needed. Never leave it unattended.

A few other ideas:

• A bowl of dried lavender or coffee grounds in a bathroom or closet.
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or mint on a windowsill.
• A dish of baking soda with a few drops of lemon oil, kept where pets can't reach it.

For a homemade odor neutralizer for home use in a spray bottle, mix 1 cup water with 1 cup white vinegar and mist fabrics lightly. Test on a hidden area first.

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Which natural deodorizer for home works best?

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Keep smells from coming back

Prevention is cheaper than deodorizing. Place a rigid mat outside the door and an absorbent one inside so less soil reaches your rugs. Rotate area rugs now and then so wear is even. Our tips on how to freshen carpet without shampooing and carpet cleaning hacks cover the rest.

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Frequently asked questions