How do I make my house smell fresh without chemicals and sprays?

-I have asthma and a 12 month old, so I don't want to use harsh sprays or chemicals to make my house smell fresh. I have two cats, and litter trays stay outside during the day but there's still a lingering if somewhat faint smell of cat. How do I combat this? I have windows open as much as possible and I burn natural vanilla scented candles but their scent doesn't last long, I find.



Is there anything I can do that won't trigger my asthma (pollen, aerosol and smoke are my triggers) but will be effective in freshening my house up a bit? Thanks :)This is very popular in the Philippines.



You can have a tray of charcoals. You can decorate it by putting fresh/plastic plants. Put it on the table, near the vent, in your bathroom, or anywhere you think it needs to be there.



Charcoal absorbs foul odors, without the chemicals and no fragrance emitted.
You might try using cedar wood chips.They leave a nice scent .Also,they repel fleas and other insects. Another idea is to insert cloves into a lemon all the way around,smells wonderful.Try simmering orange peel on the stove.Hope these ideas help.
Try putting a small bowl of vinegar next to the cat box. The cats won't drink it, and it absorbs the odors in the air. You may want to put fresh herbs like rosemary in a small vase. It also absorbs odors too.



Good Luck
maybe you should try potpourri. just put some in container in the rooms of your house. and if you get really creative feeling, try making your own potpourri, its fun.
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All I know is you can clean your microwave a with a lemon. Try other scents or brands besides vanilla. Good Question by the way.
how about dried eucalyptus branches... the small one that fit into vases.

Eucalyptus is suppose to be good for asthma and they look and smell nice,

they come in green and brick red colors
Many of us use white vinegar, or even dark organic cider vinegar. Use about a cup to a gallon.
Use lavender or lemon scented things for the freshest results.
boil oranges with some vanilla :}
Don't let the cats **** each other.
Tl;dr

poperie
Put some cinnamon sticks in a sauce pan (only a couple sticks) and boil it.
Simmer some cinnamon sticks on the stove.
Maybe you should get rid of your cats.
Clean the house properly...
im sorry to hear that...i would open more windows?
fllowers
just boil hot water and fill the tub with 100% hot water. Keep doing that for a few hours and it will smell new
use warm water with a few drops of vanilla essence in it and wipe over your tables benches etc etc...it works outside too
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I would switch the the all natural cedar litter that cuts down on dust and odors. It's rather expensive. Baking soda is a good refresher and is totally safe to use on musty carpets, vacuum after a sprinkle you can also add this to the litter box to assist in neutralizing the ammonia smell of cat urine. There are lots of eco-friendly items available with no chemicals, too, that you can buy if you can afford it, they do charge a little more. It seems the less chemicals they add, the more they charge. Try soy candles, they don't have that black smoke that oiled candles emit, they burn cleanly and are more aromatic.
Using the little crystals you set on your counter top, or one of the cone fresheners are fantastic for allergies. It just gives off a slight smell. You can also try boiling cinnamon sticks and caramel chunks together - or by doing the same with natural vanilla or lavender flowers.



Also, if you have an outside grill, putting some cedar or hickory chips in it and waft it towards the house. It won't give your house an odor, but it will kill off some of the bad ones (especially from kitties). You can also do the same by soaking them in some water and baking it in the over for 2 hours.



You could also try natural cleaning products that don't have chemicals. I know that our local Fred Meyer has some all green floor powder that you can sprinkle in your carpet and vacuum up almost immediately. I was a nanny and we used those for cleaning the living room and child's carpet with absolutely no side effects.



The great thing about the big green push lately, is all the fantastic allergy friendly and chemical friendly products out there!