apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I sometimes get those lavender dryer bags at Trader Joe's. They're good for a few dryer loads, then when they get worn out you sprinkle them on the carpet and vacuum. The scent is lovely (if you like lavender) and not overpowering. Can't remember how much they cost, but a lot less than $13.50.

I have four dogs and vacuuming can make the house smell really doggy. I put 5 or 6 drops of essential oil on a fresh vacuum bag and change the bag often. My favorite is Essence of Auroville "Pure Aire", it's a blend of bergamot, vetiver, and peppermint.

Martha Stewart Living sugggested putting a cotton ball dabbed with an essential oil of your choice and placing it in your vacuum bag or filter (whichever applies...I've got a bagless and it goes in my filter cup thingie). It totally works...my living room smells like peppermint.

Since we got a Miele vacuum with a HEPA filter, I don't smell anything when I vacuum--which definitely makes me wonder what was coming out of our old vacuums that we could smell before. But if I were going to put something in my vacuum to improve the smell, I'd choose essential oil before anything powdered, because I can only assume that to scent the air a powder has to get into the air. With my allergies I'm all about less airborne stuff, no matter how good it smells!

while i haven't tried it yet, i have recently read that sprinkling baking soda on the carpet, letting it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuuming it up can really help absorb odors that seep into carpet. sounds plausible considering what baking soda can do for a fridge!