It's time to wake up and smell your house. In a good way. Even when your place is clean, keeping your rooms as fresh as a daisy can be a tough job. And sometimes expensive candles, plug-ins and ocean breeze-scented room sprays can only add to the problem. See also: 12 Household Products You Should Never Have to Buy Take a breath of fresh air with some DIY scent solutions that will keep your home smelling sweet. Or, you could just stay home and bake cookies all day. 10 DIY Ways To Make Your Home Smell Good Image: Mashable Composite, Etsy LessCandlesHow to Make Homemade Air Freshener Store-bought air fresheners leave your home smelling fresh, but they can also introduce chemicals to your space. Here's how to make natural, kid-safe air fresheners. Having kids means having germs and smells in your home. Before you reach for the air freshener at the grocery store, consider how easy it is to make your own homemade air freshener with a few simple ingredients."

Air fresheners are filled with all kinds of nasty chemicals that can cause a host of ailments. Some of the worst ones are phthalates -- they are used to prolong the length of time scented products maintain their smell. Phthalates can increase your risk of experiencing endocrine, reproductive and developmental problems," says Jennifer Weare, a green living blogger at Suburban Hippie Homestead.Besides being kid-friendly, using natural homemade air fresheners can also be cost effective. Many recipes use a combination of odor absorbers like baking soda and essential oils to add a nice scent. Other popular items to stock on your shelves? "I like to keep water, vinegar, witch hazel (or vodka or rubbing alcohol), essential oils, baking soda and vanilla on hand," Weare says. Once you've gathered your ingredients, try one of these DIY homemade air fresheners. Baking Soda JarHealthy living blogger Kathleen Henderson of Yankee Homestead recommends a simple mix of baking soda and essential oils to freshen things up."

Place about a quarter cup of baking soda in a small bowl, like a ramekin or a small jelly jar," she says. "For the jelly jar, a lid can be used, with holes punched in the top. (Use a hammer and nail.) Add about five drops of your chosen essential oil and give it a good shake or stir. Place this air freshener in a key spot, and shake it now and then. When the oil scent begins to fade, simply add a few more drops." Air Freshener Plug-in RefillSkip the pricey refills for store-bought fresheners with this natural recipe from Mom 4 Real, which uses essential oils and water in a simple DIY project. Homemade Room SprayWeare shares an easy DIY homemade air freshener recipe that incorporates ingredients that you probably already have in your home. All you need are some essential oils, baking soda, water and a spray bottle, and you're well on your way to creating a safe, natural homemade air freshener. Find the recipe on Suburban Hippie Homestead. Heated Room ScentsCreated by The Yummy Life, these gorgeous room air fresheners are perfect for gift giving and use all natural ingredients such as citrus and herbs. 

Gel Air FreshenersA twist on homemade air fresheners, these gel air fresheners from Foodie with Family are long lasting, colorful and easy to make. Car Vent Air FreshenerThis recipe Frugally Blonde is a great and safe alternative for the car, a small space where you likely spend a lot of time with your children. Toilet Freshener TabsPerfect for homes with multiple boys, these fizzing toilet tabs from Bitz & Giggles are easy to make and definitely help to create a fresher bathroom. best airbrush cleaner for acrylic paintFabric FreshenerOverthrow Martha has a great way to freshen fabrics, pillows and sofas without the chemicals. air duct cleaning kitBathroom FreshenerHomemade air fresheners don't have to be made in spray form. air purifier good for dust

"Try freshening your bathroom by putting a few drops of essential oil on the inside of your toilet paper roll. That way you and your guests will enjoy and lovely scent while using the facilities," Weare points out. See how to use this simple tip on doTerra Blog. Diffuser RecipesA better way to get a pleasant and healthy scent into the air? "A final option for freshening the air without harmful synthetic ingredients is to diffuse essential oils into the air. Look for a diffuser that uses cold air to nebulize the oil into tiny particles," says Henderson. Check out Fresh Mommy Blog for 15 essential oil scent combinations to try.Making your own homemade air freshener has never been easier, more affordable or better for your health. With these great tips, you can create your own scent and improve the health of your family in no time!Try these 4 Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes.Shannon Moyer-Szemenyei is a certified birth and postpartum doula, mother of two busy boys (Owen, 4, and Graeme, 9 months) and the writer at Sweet Stella's.

Like what you see here? community for free and meet others like you.I have a pretty close relationship with the local liquor store cashier. Our monthly meet-ups usually start the same way. I walk up to the counter with the largest bottle of vodka. He smiles, and I smile back. Then I proceed on with a full five-minute speech trying to persuade the poor man that this, larger-than-my-purse, bottle of vodka is for a DIY project. “I don’t have a drinking problem!” The conversation usually ends with a nod of his head and a polite acceptance, “Okay, Ma’am.” And in an odd way, I always leave the store feeling unsatisfied, “Why didn’t he ask about my latest DIY project?  I don’t think he really believes me. He must think I drink a huge amount of vodka each month! Why didn’t he card me? Do I really look older than 21?” Moral of the Story: You don’t want to accept a job at my local liquor store. I’ve been told that a crazy DIY lady, who writes some blog, frequents the place.

And now that you’re probably thinking, “Who is this girl?” let’s go straight to today’s recipe. I promise, it will help clarify the whole monthly vodka-buying internal struggle. So, Mr. Liquor Store Cashier, I hope you’re reading this. Last month a Live Simply reader, Daisy from Simplicity Relished, commented on a DIY post, “Can you share a recipe for homemade air freshener spray?” I thought about her comment for several days, contemplating the best (most economical) way to make a DIY air freshener that kills bad odors, freshens linens, and leaves behind a pleasant all-natural scent. As it turns out, vodka can be used for much more than a strong cocktail. It’s also a very handy DIY ingredient. For example: Vodka may be used to make homemade extract, like: vanilla and mint. Seriously, once you make your own extracts, especially vanilla, you’ll never go back to the store-bought extracts. Vodka can also help shine chrome and glass. Simply wipe a surface with a cloth that’s been moistened with vodka, and viola–squeaky clean!

Vodka may also be used to kill odors and freshen-up fabrics. Kiss the Febreze good-bye. All you really need is a large bottle of vodka. Vodka is also the perfect liquid for making an infused scent, since vodka (really strong alcohol) doesn’t grow bacteria like a bowl of water. Infusing vodka with a natural scent is pretty easy, you just need a handful of citrus peels and a little bit of patience. Let’s simplify this conversation a bit more… Vodka + Citrus = DIY Citrus Air Freshener! This DIY citrus-infused air freshener is for you, Daisy! It’s made with just four ingredients which means you can enjoy a natural air freshener that deodorizes, disinfects, and leaves behind a delicious scent without spending a ton of money, or spraying your home’s contents in a million artificial toxins. And this story is for you, Mr. Liquor Cashier, because as it turns out, a bottle of vodka can be a DIY girl’s best friend. Print 4 cups vodka (any vodka will work) peels from 2-4 oranges, grapefruit, and/or lemons 30-35 drops sweet orange essential oil (where to buy) per 16 oz. bottle of air freshener 20-25 drops Germ Destroyer (or Theives) Synergy Essential Oil (where to buy) per 16 oz. bottle of air freshener storage jar (I found the jar pictured at Target) spray bottle (where to buy or make your own) optional add-ins

: 2-3 sprigs of fresh herbs (such as: mint or rosemary), ½ TB baking soda Place the citrus peels (and fresh herb sprigs, if using) in a storage jar. Pour the vodka over the peels. Place the vodka in a cool, dark place and infuse for 7-14 days (or longer for a stronger scent). The “where to buy” links provide links to the actual products I use. As always, I recommend shopping around online and at local stores for the best prices and products you love. Find my favorite DIY ingredients and tools, here. This recipe may be customized to your desired scent by replacing the essential oils with your favorite oils. Lemon or grapefruit essential oil also work great in this recipe. More DIYs You May Like: DIY Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaner DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub Subscribe to download the eBooks PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.