Best air freshener: 14 ways to make your home smell sweet

The best air freshener can banish a number of nasty niffs. Even the cleanest of homes can sometimes harbour a number of odours and smells, so see our rundown of top air fresheners to keep your home smelling sweet.

Perhaps you've cooked fish for dinner, been on a rainy dog walk or have a flu-ridden child? Whatever the reason, an air freshener will soon make your house smell like home again – and some even claim to kill bacteria. We've rounded up the best plug-in air fresheners, spray versions, gels, waxes, purifying bags and oils, so you can choose the best for your home and needs.

See all the best home scents for every room in our buyer's guide. For more cleaning product recommendations, head to our cleaning sourcebook for 50 of the best home cleaning essentials, or head to our dedicated hub page for cleaning hints, tips and step by steps. 

What is the best air freshener you can buy?

Tried and tested by the RealHomes team, we think the best air freshener for your home is the Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray. Although it has a larger price tag than others, just one spray will eliminate any lingering smells in your home and it contains 41 natural oils. If you're after something more purse-friendly, opt for the Ozmo Anti-Bacterial Air & Fabric Freshener Lavender Blush. Read more on both below...

Don't have time to read our entire guide? We've listed our top three air fresheners below, as well as their cheapest prices. You're welcome.

How to buy the best air freshener

Air fresheners are a great alternative to scented candles, incense or oil diffusers, especially for daily use. They tend to smell a lot stronger, last a lot longer and are cheaper to buy; similar to using a body spray on a daily basis and saving your favourite eau de parfum for special occasions. They're also a lot safer as there are no flames or electricals involved.

Which type of air freshener is best?

There's a range of different styles of air freshener to choose from, depending on where you wish to place it. Some come in the form of a spray so you can choose as and when you use it, or if you want a continuously fresh smelling home, opt for an automatic spray which plugs into the wall and periodically emits fragrance into the room.

Some home air fresheners will just cover up bad odours, but if you’re also looking to eliminate strong smells from the home then you can look for purifying air fresheners designed to absorb the smells and leave the home smelling naturally fresh. 

To find out how to get rid of household smells with clever cleaning hacks, see our dedicated feature. In the meantime, we’ve picked out some of the best home air fresheners that will keep each room smelling amazing. Which one will be your favourite?

THE BEST AIR FRESHENERS

Best for...

In our opinion, this is the best air freshener you can buy for your home, and the best part is that it's made with no synthetic chemicals, but from a unique blend of 100 per cent pure and natural essential oils.

Scent

As for the scent, it's natural and fresh with notes of tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus.

Can be used on...

As well as spraying in the air, you can also use Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray on carpets, bedding and upholstery to immediately freshen a room.

Results

Just one spray will make a difference and you'll immediately notice the air clearing. This truly is worth the money for those times when you've been cooking something strong or you've guests arriving in minutes and don't want to just mask the smell, but kill the odour. For those who work all day and can't leave their windows open to air their home, this spray makes your home smell fresh as a daisy, too.

Good to know

It's quite pricey, and strong, so all you need is one spray per room (trust us, it's plenty). The only downside is that it's not easily accessible in shops – so buy online.

Shop more Puressentiel products at Amazon

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Looking for an environmentally-friendly air freshener? Enter: Ozmo's Anti-Bacterial Air & Fabric Freshener. 

Scent

Ozmo's Anti-Bacterial Air & Fabric Freshener is available in three different scents: Cotton Blush; Delicate Pearls; or Lavender Blush.

Can be used on...

Not only will this product keep the air in your home fresh, but it's claimed to kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria on hard surfaces, and should help keep sofas, mattresses or cushions fresh and germ-free, too (ideal if you've got kids and pets around). 

Results

This multi-use spray gets rid of everything from unpleasant mould smells to pesky pet smells. Its propellant free concentrated format also offers greater value than traditional aerosols (which can contain up to 40 per cent gas), with over 1,400 sprays per pack. It's better for the environment, too.

Good to know

It's quite hard to find this gem in the shops (apart from The Range), so instead of trawling through your shopping centre on a Saturday, save yourself time and buy it online.

See more Ozmo products at Amazon

Best for...

Having pets around the home not only means you have to do more cleaning, it also means you have to be conscious of the products you use, as some aren't pet-friendly. The best air freshener for those who have furry friends, we think.

Scent

Once used, Zoflora is said to leave behind a 'mountain air' fragrance. We can't say we've noticed this– however, we do think it leaves behind a noticeable fresh and clean smell that lasts for days.

Results

Zoflora Fresh Home Odour Remover & Disinfectant doesn't just eliminate odours, it kills 99.9 per cent of viruses, including ones that could potentially cause illness to your pet, while freshening your home. 

Good to know

Zoflora Fresh Home Disinfectant can be diluted and used in several ways including in a spray bottle, in your mop bucket for when you clean your floors or you can fill up your sink and add a capful to release the smell throughout your home. It should be made up as one part disinfectant to 40 parts water

For more of the best ways to clean up after dogs, head to our guide, or to stock up on more Zoflora, head to their Amazon page

Best for...

On the hunt for the best air freshener for your bathroom? This little spray's name might seem a little off-beat, but not a bad word can be said about its qualities. 

Scent

Available in a range of scents, including lemon citrus, white flower, strawberry and spearmint, all Poo Pourri Original Toilet Sprays have a strong smell that goes a long way. 

Results

A few squirts of this spray down the toilet before you go will ensure no unpleasant odours escape into the bathroom. The scent lasts for ages and it's a pretty looking bottle, too.

Good to know

Sometimes a little fiddly to spray when it reaches below half, but all in all, reviewers say they couldn't go without this little lifesaver to cover up nasty smells.

Shop more Poo Pourri products at Amazon

Best for...

This affordable automatic device is a great way to keep every room in the house smelling fresh with no effort needed. 

Scent

The Airwick Automatic Starter Kit Spring Delight is also available in Cherry Blossom.

Results

Not only is it easy to use, but the scents are the perfect strength, without being overbearing. You can also have it on a low or high setting depending on how much fragrance you want it to emit, and it leaves no wet residue after spritzing. Win win if you ask us.

Good to know

To use, simply plug it in, and over time it will periodically release bursts of fragrance into the home while neutralising odours. It lasts up to 60 days, but you can purchase refills of your favourite scent to continually use the device. 

Shop more air fresheners at Wilko's

Best for...

This small and compact air freshener is perfect for both coat closets and hallways, and also households with smokers. 

Scent

The Vanilla Flower scent isn’t everyone’s favourite, but for those winter months it can provide a warming smell that makes the home feel cosy. It does come in Cotton Fresh and Blossom & Breeze scents too.

Results

A great air freshener to have as well as a spray version, the Febreze Small Spaces Air Freshener is an easy way to ensure your home always smells nice. It isn't however, ideal for cooking smells, accidents or quick fixes, as you can't control how often or how much smell comes out at one time.

Good to know

Small and discreet, it can easily be placed in a closet or on a shelf without anyone even noticing it’s there. 

Browse more Febreze products at Amazon

Best for...

An ideal air freshener to keep in a wardrobe, cloakroom or kitchen cupboard, the Lakeland Cotton Fresh Odour Absorbing Gel uses Silver Bullet Technology to neutralise odour molecules in your home, whether it be from smoking, pets or cooking. In our opinion, this is the best air freshener you can buy for small spaces.

Scent

This absorbing gel is available in your choice of Herb or Cotton Fresh, the latter being our favourite.

Results

Lasting for around 90 days, it's better for the environment than an aerosol spray, and it subtly releases the smell when needed. We think it's great to pop in a guest room above a wardrobe or somewhere hidden, just for peace of mind that the room smells nice.

Good to know

You can't control when the scent is released, so it's not amazing when it comes to accidents or masking cooking smells.

Shop more air cleaning products at Lakeland

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If you're a fan of Diptyque's other scents, then this would make the perfect air freshener for your home. The first place we would suggest you hang Diptyque's Baies Scented Oval is your bathroom. 

Scent

The French word for berries is baies, so it makes sense for this air freshener to smell of berries. With a more floral than fruity scent, the Diptyque Baies Scented Oval smells of roses and blackcurrant. Divine! Other scents available include Fig, Rose and a special edition 34 boulevard saint germain scented oval.

Results

Although on the pricey side, it does last for up to three months, and it's better for the environment as it's not a spray or aerosol and it includes no plastic! Oh, and it requires absolutely zero effort from your behalf apart from finding somewhere to hang it – if not your bathroom, a wardrobe, coat cupboard or on the back of your bedroom door.

Good to know

It's encased in ceramic so is ideal for hanging in smaller rooms, as the refreshing fragrance slowly emits over time. 

Shop more Diptyque products at Amazon

Best for...

Want to keep your home naturally fresh rather than masking bad odours with fragrances? This natural air purifying bag is the one for you. 

Scent 

Some don’t like that the Standard Moso Air Purifying Bag has no fragrance; however, it's said to work very well in getting rid of damp smells and absorbing excess moisture in the air. 

Results

Designed to catch all the bad odours, bacteria and allergens in the air, it will make your home smell fresh again in no time. 

Good to know

We'd suggest using it in conjunction with one of the other air fresheners on our list, for a refreshing smell throughout your household.

Browse more air purifying bags at Amazon

Best for...

The very best air freshener you can buy if you're after something to plug-in, Airwick's scented oil home air fresheners are a quick and easy way to ensure your home always smells nice. 

Scent

Our favourite Airwick Air Freshener Duo Fresh scent is Lavender Meadow, however they also sell White Vanilla and Island Mango scented ones.

Results

The oil plugs can be adjusted to emit your desired level of fragrance throughout the day and, once empty, can then simply be refilled with your favourite scent. Lasting for up to 80 days, it plugs in discreetly to your wall without anyone noticing. Simply, it does what it says on the tin.

Good to know

Our only complaint? It takes up a power outlet. 

Shop more Airwick products at Amazon

Best for...

Banish those fridge odours with this natural bamboo purifying bag. Not only does it remove strong odours from anywhere (not just your fridge), but it can prevent mould, mildew and bacteria from forming. 

Scent

The Ryher Natural Bamboo Activated Charcoal Refrigerator Deodorizer is fragrance-free, chemical free and non-toxic, meaning it's perfectly safe around children, pets and the food you consume. 

Results

Made from a natural resource of high-density bamboo charcoal, the bag absorbs moisture and harmful pollutants in the air by trapping the impurities inside each pore. For strong fridge smells such as onion or fish, it does a really good job, however don't expect it to work instantly.

Good to know

It can last for up to two years, but every 30 to 45 days the bag needs to be removed from the case and placed outside in the sun; the UV rays will clear out the pores of the bamboo charcoal, making it ready to absorb again. Once the bag has had its day, you can recycle the bamboo charcoal inside in your garden soil. Eco-friendly fridge freshening at its finest...

See more Rhyer products at Amazon

Best for...

A car shouldn't be forgotten about when it comes to keeping the air fresh. Gel versions are most people's favourite when it comes to the best air freshener for a car, as they require little to no maintenance and they fit nicely in a cup holder. 

Scent

If lemon doesn't tickle your fancy, they're also available in several other scents including Apple & Cinnamon, Bubblegum, Vanilla and also New Car smell.

Results

The AREON Ken Car Air Freshener does a good job at subtly emitting smells in your car. You don't need to do anything for it to work, too, simply just open the can, place in your vehicle and enjoy. An easy way to ensure your car won't smell like Mc Donalds all the time.

Good to know

As with other gel air fresheners, you can't control how much scent comes out at once.

Shop more car air fresheners at Amazon

Best for...

An ideal spray to keep handy in the home, Febreze Mist and Refresh can instantly be sprayed in any room of the house to eliminate odours within seconds. 

Scent

The cotton-fresh smell is much more subtle than citrus or floral smells, which makes it our favourite for subtleness. It also comes in Lavender, Blossom Breeze and Spiced Apple (a Christmas fave).

Results

It does tend to run out a lot quicker than oils or mists; however, only a few quick spritzes are needed to get your home smelling fresh.

Good to know

The cotton fresh smell may be a bit basic for some, but it's great if you're looking for something to freshen up your fabric sofa, rugs or curtains. The formula is water-based and non-flammable, which makes it safe to use both whenever, and wherever you need it. 

Find more air freshener sprays at Amazon

Best for...

Let's be honest, no one likes touching their bins, whether they're indoor or outdoor, clean or not – this is where the Bin Buddy Fresh Citrus Zing comes in. Our choice of the best air freshener for a lovely smelling bin.

Scent

Available in Citris Zing or Berry Blast, there's no escaping a nice smelling bin if you're using Bin Buddy Fresh.

Results

To be used on top of existing rubbish or in an empty bin (bag inside or not), this powder does a good job at disguising bin odours, and it soaks up your bin juice while killing maggots and flies. 

Good to know

A game changer don't want to empty your bin constantly (or favour strong-smelling foods). Also, one pot contains over 30 uses (depending on your bin's size). 

Shop more Bin Buddy products at Amazon

Bad smells at home – what's the biggest offender?

Carpets are the worst culprits for spreading those nasty niffs, but curtains and upholstery come close behind. The best way to tackle them (other than introducing air fresheners) is to give them a good vacuuming or use a steam cleaner. Both of which will make your air fresheners much more effective.

Find out more in our guide to cleaning a carpet.

READ MORE:

• 10 of the best home fragrances 
• The best reed diffusers
• The best vacuum cleaners