Smelling good is often deemed to be the achievement of the century — whether it’s our bodies, our clothes, or in this case, our homes. Most likely because it’s quite the arduous task. You want to strike that delicate balance where the scent intrigues but doesn’t overwhelm visitors. Snif co-founder Bryan Edward recommends first finding a signature scent. “Filling your space with a scent you love brings a new dimension of personalization to your space,” he tells Refinery29. He also mentions that “high-quality oils, wicks made from 100% cotton, and vegetable/soy wax blends all play a part in creating a superior throw for a candle.”
Although candles are essential to the plain-to-hypnotic-home pipeline, we did some digging ourselves, and found having an aromatic living space goes deeper than lovely scented wax jars. So we wrangled 18 products that will have your space impressing olfactory systems day in and day out. From eco-friendly deodorizers to luxury cleaning products, closet scent bags, and of course, candles —the following picks will guide you to a forever good-smelling home.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Sometimes, your best bet is to stop smells at the root rather. Damp, warm areas can be breeding grounds for unpleasant odors. Counteract this by placing dehumidifying deodorizers around your space or busting out odor-neutralizing sprays for lingering pet stench.
Although it has humorous packaging, the Bad Air Sponge takes its job seriously. According to on-site Amazon reviews the absorbent neutralizer is “a terrific air freshener with a clean scent that works well,” and is “worth the money.”
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Bad Air Sponge The Original, $, available at Amazon
Pets — whether it’s because of litter boxes or wet fur — are some of the biggest culprits for unpleasant indoor odors. Fortunately, the Angry Orange citrus-scented products deodorize any and all wafts of urine and animal waste in the home. Bonus: You can use it on tile, furniture upholstery, garbage cans, and more.
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Angry Orange Citrus Deodorizer, $, available at Amazon
Baking soda is the oldest trick in the book for getting rid of unwanted scents. Instead of reaching for the classic orange cardboard box, open up one of these odor-eliminating tubs that double as a moisture absorber —great for bathrooms, basements, and closets.
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Arm & Hammer Max Odor Eliminator Tub, 14 oz (3 Pack), $, available at Amazon
To add some extra oomph to your cleaning regimen, invest in a bougie surface cleaner. They get rid of the same germs as your tried-and-true $2 cleaner but leave long-lasting aromas for everyone to enjoy once you’re done tidying up.
Last summer the cult-favorite fragrance brand Diptyque debuted its first-ever cleaning line which included this luxury multipurpose cleaner. As someone who tested the spray out myself, I can attest to the sparkly sweet scent it left on my coffee table for days. Prepare for notes of lavender, cedar, and fig tree to dance around your home.
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Diptyque Multi-Surface Cleaner With Vinegar, $, available at Diptyque
With a coconut-derived degreaser and purifying cypress oil, Homecourt’s floral cleaning spray is quite the formidable foe against bad odors. To top it off, it features a shocking 5-out-of-5-star rating across 92 reviews — meaning 100% of reviewers recommend this product. According to on-site reviewer Jennifer R., “The surface cleaner is perfect. The scent is amazing and lingers, leaving the kitchen and bathrooms with a great smell hours after use.”
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Homecourt Steeped Rose Surface Cleaner, $, available at Homecourt
If you’ve ever washed up with Mrs. Meyers’ popular hand soaps, then we need not explain why the brand’s spray made its way onto our list. For those unfamiliar with Mrs. Meyer’s intense ways, just know this highly saturated, cruelty formula will leave notes of fresh lavender lingering throughout your home all day long.
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Mrs. Meyers All-Purpose Cleaner Spray, $, available at Amazon
Both incense and candles (odor-removing or otherwise) won’t completely cure your home of unwanted wafts — rather, they’ll enhance your space after it’s deodorized.
Enjoy notes of juniper, bergamot, fir balsam, and more when you light Snif’s best-selling fine fragrance. Plus, Snif loves indecisive folk — score an 8.5-ounce candle and two samples at zero cost to see if it’s a match for your home (and only pay up if you decide to keep).
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Snif Sweet Ash Candle, $, available at Snif
This 25-pack of 5-inch incense sticks emits your choice of either earthy sandalwood or spicy matcha.
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SURPOINT Japanese Incense Pack Of 25, $, available at Etsy
Another member of Diptyque’s upscale cleaning line is the Odor Removing Candle. Less expensive than its cult-favorite candle brethren, this specific formula, according to its on-site description, is also “based on a technology that targets and eliminates the molecules responsible for unpleasant odors”— perfect for post-meal kitchen clean-up.
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Diptyque Odor Removing Candle With Basil, $, available at Diptyque
For those looking to freshen up a dorm or any rented space with strict no-fire rules, skip the smoke and head for the scented liquids. Plenty of aromatic fanatics opt for room sprays for an instant refresh while others prefer diffusers for around-the-clock good smells.
We first fell in love with DedCool the moment our deals writer Mercedes Viera tested the brand’s trendy laundry detergent. So it’s only natural we jumped for joy once the fragrance brand launched its first-ever room spray. As a proud owner of said spray, I fully recommend a-spritzing it around your living space for crisp bergamot aromas complemented by sweet amber notes and a dash of musk. Even better: you can mist some on your clothes to delay the ever-dreaded laundry day.
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DedCool Room + Linen Spray Milk, $, available at Dedcool
Our diffuser of choice? P.F. Candle Co.’s apothecary-inspired Golden Coast scent. Albeit a subtle throw, its reeds will surprise you with earthy, eucalyptus scents throughout the day without ever lighting a single match.
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P.F. Candle Co. Golden Coast Reed Diffuser, $, available at P.F. Candle Co.
Brooklinen’s Happy Hour concoction not only produces a lovely cardamom-geranium fragrance blend, but it’s also said to provide “instant gratification,” and “spark creativity,” according to its on-site description.
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Brooklinen Happy Hour Room Spray, $, available at Brooklinen
Pop a scent bag, satchet, or ceramic in your closet and you’ll be greeted with enticing aromas every time you open the door. Plus, many will keep your clothes smelling fresh long after they’ve left the dryer.
What appears to be Diptyque’s infamous logo come to life is in fact a white porcelain aromatic medallion. The ceramic perfumes closets, drawers, and homes to the max with warm, dense notes of cedarwood and crisp lavender.
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Diptyque Ceramic for wool and delicate textiles with cedarwood, $, available at Diptyque
An aesthetically pleasing soy wax sachet available in a myriad of aromas — citrus, pine, jasmine pineapple, and more.
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ZemalaNatural Scented Sachets, $, available at Etsy
These Indian-rose-scented bags keep wardrobes and homes smelling fresh and floral for up to eight to 10 weeks.
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Rituals Wardrobe Satchet, $, available at Rituals
The EPA’s Consumer Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home declares that “no air cleaner or filter will eliminate all of the air pollutants in your home,” though many contain a filter for gases that emit odors. Essentially, it can’t hurt to have one whirring away in your space, destroying airborne bacteria or the occasional smelly gas.
Molekule Air Mini+
Molekule’s Air Mini+ is FDA-cleared to destroy viruses and bacteria. According to the brand’s blog, its products’ PECO technology (as opposed to the more common HEPA filters) subsequently “eliminates odors by generating free radicals that break down all VOCs, including those that cause smell.”
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Molekule Air Mini+, $, available at Molekule
This pet-centric purifier helps remove airborne pet hair, dust, and other allergens in the home thanks to its powerful HEPA filter.
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Levoit Core Pet Care True HEPA Air Purifier, $, available at Chewy
Dyson’s copper-hued purifier detects and destroys formaldehyde (among other pollutants) for allergen-free air. To top it off, you don’t have to hide it away thanks to its sleek, unique design.
Shop Dyson
Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde™ TP09 Purifying Fan, $, available at Dyson
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