Use Lemons to Make Your Home Smell Incredible

Nothing exudes a warm welcome quite like a home’s signature scent. Unfortunately, there are more than a few reasons why a home’s fresh scent could devolve into something less than pleasant.

The great news is that attaining a simple and clean smell in your home is not as complicated as you think. You don’t have to rely on artificial air fresheners — lemons have an incredible versatility that makes them much more than a flavorful add-on to our favorite meals and drinks. The acidity of these bright fruits make them highly efficient cleaning agents, and they can be used in a multitude of ways.

These lemony home hacks can keep any fresh-scent killer from wreaking havoc. Turn your home into the balmy and charming place you want it to be, with these surprisingly simple and fun DIY solutions:

1. Natural room scents

This is a great way to cover up unwanted smells and keep your house feeling clean. A quintessential combo for spring that will have your home smelling like fresh air is simple:

• two lemons

• two stalks of rosemary

• a teaspoon of vanilla

Mix these ingredients into a pan on the stove with 2 quarts of water, bring to a boil, and then turn the heat down to simmer. To keep the mixture submerged at all times, and continue to add water as the existing water will evaporate.

If you’re concerned about leaving a pot on the stove, you can simmer your scents worry-free with a Fisher & Paykel cooktop, a revolutionary stovetop with a timer for maximum efficiency, and low heat settings for pitch-perfect execution. On a gentle simmer, this mixture will permeate your home with a simple and sweet spring aroma that’ll lull you into relaxation. Use your distinct creative touch and experiment with different scent combinations – you never know which recipe will end up blowing your mind!

Pro tip: If you use your cooktop or stove for regular meals, nothing eliminates odors as quickly and effectively as the versatile Fisher & Paykel ventilation hoods. Their sleek designs and sizes adapt to your specific kitchen’s needs, and prevent grease and cooking smells from infiltrating your home.

2. All-natural air freshening spray

Sometimes we neglect the basic (and tedious) tasks that result in unwanted consequences – a.k.a. unpleasant smells. Whatever you may be sending down your disposal, don’t worry about a lapse in cleanings. This simple trick will address those pesky smells instantly:

Your very own homemade odor-blocker is healthier and gets the job done better than any commercial product in your local supermarket!

3. Freshen up your garbage disposal

Who says that you need to cover up your floors with rugs? Peel back the rugs, carpets, or runners that could be hiding the inherent beauty of your home's flooring. Plus, this brings a more open, bright feeling to the space.

• First, chop the peels from three lemons into small pieces and place into an ice cube tray.

• Pour 1-1/2 cups of distilled white vinegar into the tray on top of the peels, and then freeze.

• Remove the cubes from the tray when they’re frozen and store in a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag.

This is when the magic happens – simply place one down the garbage disposal and revel in a refreshing lemon scent. (Repeat as needed).

4. Repeat offenders

Does your microwave still smell like the bits of food from last night clinging to its edges? How about your wooden utensils and cutting boards? Yes, you guessed it: use the acidic power of lemons to terminate strong, lingering food odors quickly.

For your microwave, mix 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice into 1-1/2 cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat on high for 5 to 10 minutes. Doing so will produce steam that will soften dried food pieces. All you have to do is wipe the microwave walls down with a cloth and it’s “clean as new."

For your dirty utensils and boards, which may remain smelly even after a wash, simply rub down with a piece of lemon (but don't rinse.) The odor will evaporate as the lemon dries. Magic, huh?

Pro tip: You can even take this trick to the bathroom to clean your shower-head and chrome faucets.

5. The biggest culprit: your refrigerator

Refrigerator odors oftentimes carry far past the kitchen. They can also migrate from your fridge to freezer, even ruining your ice cubes (yuck). Maintaining a fresh, clean refrigerator can take a lot of work and constant maintenance, especially if it’s under-performing. It can feel like a fight, and jeopardize your food’s freshness.

For quick relief from fridge odors, use a few drops of lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and let sit in the fridge for a few hours. Aside from throwing out rotten or expired food, this quick and easy tip is a good bet for keeping your fridge fresh.

Preventing food from rotting is, of course, the best way to prevent nasty odors and mold from developing in your fridge. Luckily, technology is on your side with this one. The Fisher & Paykel multi-temperature RF201 ActiveSmart Refrigerator opens a whole new world of freshness. ActiveSmart Foodcare technology monitors your refrigerator and adapts to maintain ideal temperatures, keeping your food fresher for longer. Flexible shelves, slide out bins and trays, and smart storage options will revolutionize the way you feel about your refrigerator. The relationship that felt like a fight may suddenly become a romance.

All it takes for a home to retain its singular, welcoming scent is a few lemons and a small amount of strategy. This lemony magic is enough to make us rewrite everyone’s favorite piece of wisdom: “When life gives you lemons, make your home smell fresh, clean, and wonderfully amazing."