How to Make Indoor Air Fresheners for Your Apartment

There's something uniquely satisfying about walking into a home that smells inviting — especially your own! 

Making your apartment smell like a million dollars doesn’t have to break the bank, involve harsh chemicals or leave you with poorly-functioning gadgets that stop working after a few uses. Creating your own natural air fresheners improves indoor air quality and adds a personal touch to your apartment living experience, as well as allowing you full control over the scents you want around you. 

Understanding indoor air quality in apartment living

Apartments present unique challenges for maintaining fresh air — shared ventilation, limited windows, pets, old food and small spaces can all contribute to lingering odors. Before making air fresheners to mask the unpleasant odors, consider eliminating the source of the smells altogether by addressing cooking smells, pet odors or humidity issues. Addressing these core issues first, followed by implementing pleasant scents over the lingering odors, yields the best and longest-lasting results!

7 DIY indoor air fresheners

Simple simmer pots for immediate freshness

For a quick air-freshening tactic, create a simple simmer pot by adding fragrant ingredients to water and simmering it all on the stove on the lowest heat setting. These are especially nice in the colder seasons, when warm spices and cozy smells work well with the seasons.

Give these combinations a try!

• Citrus and spice: Sliced oranges or lemons with cinnamon sticks and cloves
• Vanilla and lavender: Vanilla extract with dried lavender buds
• Seasonal blend: Apple peels, cinnamon sticks and star anise

Keep an eye on your pot and add water as needed to prevent it from drying out.

Long-lasting reed diffusers for continuous scent

Reed diffusers provide constant fragrance without heat or flames. To create one:

1. Find a narrow-necked decorative bottle
2. Mix 1/4 cup carrier oil (fractionated coconut or safflower oil) with 25-30 drops of essential oils
3. Add 2-3 tablespoons of high-proof vodka for stronger scent
4. Insert 5-8 rattan reeds
5. Flip reeds weekly to refresh the scent

Try lavender and vanilla for bedrooms, citrus and mint for kitchens or eucalyptus and tea tree for bathrooms!

Baking soda deodorizers for problem areas

Thanks to its acidic nature, baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors rather than just masking them, making it a great tool for scrubbing the air of bad smells.

You can create a simple deodorizer by combining one cup of baking soda with 20-25 drops of essential oil — transfer it to a jar with a perforated lid and place it in areas prone to odors. For carpets, sprinkle a similar mixture lightly over the surface, wait 15-30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly.

Essential oil room sprays for instant refreshment

For immediate freshness, create an all-natural room spray by combining the following ingredients in a small spray bottle:

• 1/2 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup witch hazel or high-proof vodka
• 15-20 drops of essential oils

Shake before using and spray as needed. For kitchens, try lemon and rosemary; for living areas, lavender and chamomile create a relaxing atmosphere. These are especially useful after cooking a meal or before guests arrive.

Natural gel air fresheners for small spaces

Gel fresheners work well in small apartment spaces like bathrooms or closets. 

To make it:

1. Dissolve 4 packets of unflavored gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water
2. Add 1 cup cold water mixed with 1 tablespoon salt (prevents mold)
3. Stir in 20-30 drops of essential oils and optional food coloring
4. Pour into heat-safe containers and refrigerate for 3 hours

These typically last 2-3 weeks and can be made in decorative containers that complement your décor!

Dried herb and flower sachets for closets and drawers

For closets and drawers, create scent sachets by filling small cloth bags with dried lavender, rosemary, mint or a custom herb blend. Add a few drops of essential oils to enhance the fragrance, and there you have it! These not only freshen the air but can help protect clothing from certain pests — an important consideration for apartment dwellers with limited storage space.

Coffee-based deodorizers for persistent odors

Drink coffee? You’re in luck! Used coffee grounds make excellent odor absorbers, and it’s a chance to give new life to all your used grounds. 

Dry your used grounds completely in the oven on low heat, then place them in breathable containers near trash cans or in refrigerators. Coffee grounds absorb surrounding odors rather than masking them, making it effective for neutralizing strong food smells in apartments with limited ventilation.

Creating a coordinated scent strategy for your apartment

Implement multiple air freshening methods throughout your apartment in a coordinated way to keep your space smelling fresh all year long!

For your main living spaces, place reed diffusers or gel fresheners for consistent background fragrance in your busiest areas. Use absorbent deodorizers and occasional simmer pots in kitchens, while bathrooms can benefit from simple baking soda deodorizers and room sprays. For bedrooms, choose milder, relaxing scents through sachets or subtle diffusers that won’t interfere with your breathing or sleep.

You can also rotate your homemade air fresheners with the seasons to prevent "scent fatigue." During spring and summer, use light, fresh scents like citrus and mint to keep your space light and bright. Fall calls for warmer aromas such as cinnamon and apple (this is where simmer pots come in handy), while winter pairs well with pine, cedar and spice blends.

This seasonal approach keeps your apartment smelling interesting throughout the year and creates a stronger connection to the natural world — particularly valuable for apartments with limited outdoor space!

By creating custom air fresheners, you're improving your apartment's ambiance while also reducing exposure to synthetic chemicals. These simple DIY methods transform freshening your apartment air from a household chore into an enjoyable creative practice that enhances your living environment.

Enjoy!

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Featured photo by Melody Zimmerman on Unsplash

Second photo by Mindaugas Norvilas on Unsplash

Third photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Fourth photo by Andrea Tummons on Unsplash