As a long-time apartment dweller, I’ve lived in all sizes varying from under 40sqm to over 100sqm. What’s important for me is to keep my place smelling amazing all the time. Every home has a unique scent. Still, some homes — we hate to say it — smell better than others. No matter how clean you keep your house, there are tons of odours that will develop naturally, especially when you factor in the inevitable pet mess, overflowing trash can, and smelly shoe collection.

Although some smells require more elbow grease and patience, there are tons of ways to freshen up your home's overall aroma on a daily basis. Here are a few common tricks I use to ensure my home is always smelling pleasant.

Fresh air

1. Open the windows and balcony door whenever possible. I know it can be hard in colder months but it’s really important to get fresh air circulating, especially when we are cooking. This will also help get rid of the moisture and reduce the chance of getting mould. Opening your windows allows fresh air to break up any stagnant air that’s trapping unpleasant odours in your home.

Turn on fans

2. Turn on the range hood and bathroom fans. Besides making sure my exhaust fan is on when I’m cooking, I often also turn on the fan in the bathrooms and laundry area to help further draw out the smell while I’m cooking. This is especially useful when you live in a compact apartment.

Essential oils

3. Use a diffuser with a few drops of your favourite essential oils. It is important to use essential oils that are 100% natural. Sometimes sellers will add cheaper substances to the essential oil to get more “bang for their buck” - these are usually chemically synthesized (although labelled “nature identical”). Adulterated oils can be harmful to our bodies. Get a few different scents and get creative and blend your favourite smell

Light a candle

4. Light a candle or two in your favourite scent. While not as natural as essential oils, candles are effective at masking any unpleasant scents in your home that you want to keep at bay.

Armenian paper

5. Armenian paper is a type of incense that has been produced for centuries. The paper is infused with essences, fragrances and essential oils in order to achieve a deodorising or cleansing effect. Some say this is the most ancient natural room deodorizer.

Palo Santo

6. Palo Santo is burnt to produce a sweet, smoky fragrance. It is an intoxicating go-to for anyone looking to cleanse their space. The Palo Santo aroma will last up to several days and mask any unpleasant scents in your home.

Dehumidification

7. Use the dry mode on your air-conditioner if your unit has this function. The dry mode a.k.a. dehumidification keeps indoor air at its optimum humidity level, which helps you and your family breathe easier. But that’s not all – it can eliminate the odours that can accompany mould and dampness in your home.

Baking soda

8. Get rid of odours naturally by sprinkling baking soda all over the carpet and rugs — not just problem areas, and let sit for a few hours before vacuuming. The same method works for pet beds and mattresses.

Indoor plants

9. Bring the greens indoors. While indoor plants are an awesome addition to your home to spruce up your space, they also clean your air. Many plants, including jasmine, eucalyptus, and gardenias, offer pleasant fragrances too. Just make sure you're prepared to take care of them.

Air purifier

10. Invest in an air purifier as they work to trap and destroy pollutants found around your home. By eliminating indoor air pollutants, you are effectively removing some of the sources of foul smells. If you have limited space, I’d suggest a unit that can double up as temperature control (heating/cooling).