Admittedly, I'm a little obsessed with fall, and all the cozy, seasonal goodness that comes with it.
Like most people, I'm also passionate about making my home smell good, with clever tricks and hacks that really embrace the colder time of year.
That's why this cleaning tip has quickly become one of my absolute favorites, and it's so quick and easy to try in your own home. It's perfect for freshening up your space before an influx of guests, too, to make a good impression and perfect your holiday hosting.
The Quick Cleaning Tip Makes Your Home Smell Like Fall
For this simple cleaning hack to make your home smell like fall, all you'll need is some baking soda, an essential oil, and your vacuum cleaner. It's really that simple to clean your carpets with baking soda, and it is one of the quickest ways to make a home smell nice that I've tried.
As Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, says, 'It's ridiculously easy, costs next to nothing, and makes every fabric surface in your home smell like fall without the heaviness of sprays or candles.
'The baking soda absorbs lingering odors, while the oils give off that warm, seasonal scent you want greeting guests the second they step in. Honestly, the options are endless! You can mix and match oils based on what “fall” means to you, whether that’s pumpkin spice or freshly cut firewood, but the beauty of this trick is how effortless it is.
'In less than five minutes, your home will smell warm, welcoming, and perfectly seasonal.'
For that reason, this is a brilliant option if you're looking to make a home smell nice without candles, or for any non-toxic ways to make your home smell nice.
'I adore the hack of combining baking soda and essential oil – it is effective, simple to use, and completely non-toxic,' adds Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare. 'I often recommend this to my clients who want to create a fresh smell in their home without the use of heavy-duty chemical fragrances.
'The baking soda itself naturally works to neutralize odors, and the essential oils provide a clean, seasonal scent that will lightly linger on fabrics.'
How to Try This Cleaning Trick at Home
To try this in your own home:
- Grab a cup of baking soda, and 10 to 15 drops of your preferred essential oil, says Karina.
- 'Mix it in a jar or bowl, stir well, and let is sit for about an hour before use so the scent fully infuses.
- 'If you're planning to sprinkle it, use a fine-mesh shaker [such as the Stainless Steel Powder Sugar Shaker Duster available at Amazon] or an old spice jar.' Then, let it sit for 15-20 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly with your best vacuum.
- You can also make a spray, if you prefer. 'Dissolve one tablespoon of baking soda in two cups of warm water, add the oils, shake well, and mist lightly on fabrics.'
Karina shares three fall-inspired essential oil baking soda recipes she personally loves and uses:
- Cozy Vanilla Chai Mix: 15 drops vanilla essential oil, five drops clove oil, such as the Handcraft Blends Clove Essential Oil available at Amazon, and one cup of baking soda. 'This one gives off that sweet, spicy warmth you'd get from your favorite fall latte. I personally use it on carpets and mattresses to get that subtle "freshly baked" scent that lingers without being overwhelming,' she says.
- Crisp Apple Orchard Mix: 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil, available at Walmart, 10 drops of sweet orange oil, and one cup of baking soda. Karina continues, 'This mix works beautifully on living room fabrics like sofas and curtains! It really mimics the scent profile of apple pie or warm cider, without actually having anything to do with apples.'
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Woodland Cabin Mix: Eight drops of cedarwood essential oil, five drops of rosemary oil, available at Amazon, five drops of bergamot oil, and one cup of baking soda.
'This is perfect for bedrooms or guest rooms,' adds Karina. 'It smells clean and woodsy. Use it on mattresses and curtains to refresh the room to give the room that cozy, outdoorsy feel.
Where Not to Use It
While this method is suitable for deep cleaning carpets, cleaning and caring for mattresses, and more, it shouldn't be used on silk or delicate upholstery, and the mixture should always be spot tested first in any case.
'Not all fabrics handle oil well,' explains Jade Piper, operations manager for BetterCleans. 'It might leave greasy spots, make the fabric feel different, and, worst of all, attract dust faster. Plus, pets and sensitive people might react.'
It's worth noting that some essential oils are in fact toxic for pets such as cats. Check first before using it in your home. The toxicity is heightened when oils are undiluted.
'I still recommend cleaning with baking soda by itself on those surfaces. It won't smell like cinnamon or pumpkin spice, but it does a great job of freshening things up. It's a natural deodorizer that really works.
'Just sprinkle, wait about 20 minutes, then vacuum. If you want that cozy fall scent, try simmer pot recipes for fall and winter, invest in the best reed diffusers, or use fabric-safe sprays instead.'
What to Shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
For small areas, Scott recommends this compact and easy-to-store spice duster, which opens with a simple twist of the handle and is perfect for baking soda, too.
This rosemary oil is undiluted and made without any additives or fillers. It has a built-in dropper to control the flow without waste.
These shakers are made from high-quality, food-grade stainless steel, and come with a plastic lid to block out moisture and dust, and keep the powder dry and fresh.
These amber glass bottles are perfect for your homemade cleaning solutions, with UV-protection to prevent ingredients degrading.
This bestselling essential oil has a rich and cozy scent, and is free of any synthetic additives.
This fabric spray freshens, sanitizes, and helps to fight odor-causing bacteria. It can be used on clothes, couches, bedding, dog beds, towels and more.
Meet the Experts
'This is a quick, inexpensive way to refresh your home before guests arrive, or to refresh after a long week of cooking!' says Scott.
For any leftover supplies, try the baking soda hack for closets.
Want more options? Why not try one of he five quick and easy fall odor-busting curtain and upholstery tips.
