Let me introduce myself first by saying that I am obsessed with my home smelling nice. Don't believe me? I've tested so many home fragrances, and I am ever so picky with the ones that I love. Why? Because for me, scent tells a story. And there's nothing like the smell of the fish you cooked for lunch to greet your dinner guests, eh?
Now, I'm not one to just throw the air freshener that's on sale into my basket while doing my weekly food shop (and I'm definitely not judging those who do — you do you, hun) but only because I am forever trying to be more sustainable at home. This means I am trying to find eco-friendly cleaning products and plastic-free alternatives that I can switch my current go-to products to.
So, the air fresheners I've handpicked — and tested — below, aren't full of chemicals or nasties, and I've only featured two aerosols. Yes, there are more ways to scent your home than a spray solution. Think of everything from solid air fresheners to air purifying bags and even a portable essential oil diffuser. It's all here.
There's something for everyone, and for all homes. Whether you're trying to scent your small flat in the city or your pet-friendly spacious home in the countryside.
The best air fresheners — 16 buys I really love
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The best air freshener
+ 100% natural
+ A little goes a very long way
- Can't be sprayed around babies
- Aerosol
Made with no synthetic chemicals but from a unique blend of 100% pure and natural essential oils, this herbaceous air freshener has been a firm favourite of mine for years. One spray in every corner of a room will immediately banish odours and refresh a space, no matter its size. With notes of tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus, it's also great for cooking smells, just be aware that a little goes a very long way. Just don't spray it in a room with pets or children inside as it's powerful.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Our fave non-aerosol air freshener
+ Made with essential oils
+ Cruelty-free
+ Recyclable bottle
+ 7 scents
Anyone whose eco-conscious will love this hardworking spray since it's non-aerosol and all-natural, plus it's scented using essential oils. I don't typically like lavender, so I was pleasantly surprised at how this pick refreshed my upholstery. The scent is light, fresh, and inviting, just like all of the fragrances from Mrs. Meyer's. There are just so many ways to use this spray.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Our fave air freshener for upholstery
+ Biodegradable formula
+ Subtle
+ Glass bottle
- Expensive
- Only for upholstery
If you're looking to buy something to spray on your sofa and more, then let this solution from Attirecare be it. It comes inside an amber glass bottle that you can fully recycle and doesn't have that expected chemical scent. I love it for using to refresh my sofa and my bed plus the day bed in my spare room, and it kills bacteria too. A few sprays go a long way, so although it is pricey you won't need to buy a bottle a month. They also plant a tree for every order.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
A luxe air freshener
+ Luxury
+ 3 modes
+ No spray
+ Inconspicuous
+ Great for bathrooms
- Expensive
- Compatible only with NEOM essential oils
The number of people who ask me about this little thing is unreal! Whether for your toilet or for keeping by your desk, it's an easy way to make your home smell good. It's nice and compact and doesn't need to be plugged in plus, it comes in a range of colours. Yes, it's an essential oil diffuser but unlike others, this one doesn't work with water. Oil vaporises directly from the bottle to fragrance the air, and you can choose from three intensities to suit the size of your space also. It's brilliant for bathrooms but can also fit inside the cup holder of your car. Bearing in mind how expensive the refills are, it's not an air freshener you'd want to leave on all day long.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best air freshener for bathrooms
+ Great for disguising odours
+ Lots of scents
+ Handbag friendly
- Small bottle
- Only for use in the toilet
Sorry if it's TMI but this little bottle is a lifesaver. If you're looking for an air freshener for your bathroom then this one might be small but what it lacks in size it makes up for in power. You've probably seen it before, it's the one you spray into the bowl before you erm... go. Available in loads of scents, and it's a pretty-looking bottle, too. Your guests will thank you later, and if you've got a windowless bathroom like me, then it's perfect as it doesn't clog the air as other air fresheners might.
Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The best probiotic air freshener
+ 99% natural
+ Concentrated formula
+ Palm oil free
+ Vegan & Cruelty-free
+ Eco-friendly (refill pouches available)
- Contains 1, 2-benzisothiazolin 3-one (preservative) which may produce an allergic reaction
- Expensive
No need to adjust your screen. This really is an air freshener that contains A Bacillus (aka good bacteria) and essential oils. This one has been approved by one of my colleagues who loves it. If you want to create a healthy home and are trying to reduce chemical nasties, then this is the product to reach for. The English Garde variant smells like fresh laundry mixed with a dewy Spring morning. Trick your friends into thinking you've got washing out to dry or 'fess up and have the bottle on display — the atomiser nozzle looks super chic.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
An air freshener for family homes
+ Available in 3 scents
+ For upholstery, bedding and bins
+ Safe to use around dogs, cats, and children
+ Eliminates 99% of odours
+ Free from aerosols, alcohol, and synthetic fragrances
Don't you just love when nature and science work together in harmony? This essential oil based air freshener is guaranteed to banish smoke, pet, and kitchen malodours. For this reason (and the fact that it comes in three lush fragrances — including grapefruit and lychee), I think it's a great choice for busy homes. Whether you've got lots of pets or a baby in nappies, that is. I also say this because my colleague loved using it to refresh her family home and said it impressed her every time. She loved the Fresh Air scent the most.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best budget-friendly air freshener
+ Made with recycled materials
+ Five scents
- Non-aerosol
- Scent isn't all-natural
- Doesn't last very long
I normally hazard away from supermarket-bought air fresheners, but this one really caught my eye as it's affordable and sustainable. It's also heartening that a brand as big as Air Wick has launched their own sustainable range of air fresheners, paying attention to everything from packaging to the spray mechanism. The bottles are made with 99% recycled plastic, and the spray triggers with 35% recycled plastic. Although some of the fragrances in this range use essential oils, they're not all-natural or organic. Otherwise, this spray masks odours fast, though it tends not to linger for too long. I also really liked the pineapple scent and you can buy them in bulk.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best air freshener for pet owners
+ Multiple uses
+ Fresh scent
+ Lots of different scents
+ A lot for your money
+ Great for pets
- You have to dilute it
I mean, having pets around the home not only means you have to do more cleaning, but also means you have to be conscious of the products you use. Thanks to my Pug (Doug) I've got to be super aware of what I am using to clean his stuff, which is how I came across this disinfectant. To use it as an air freshener, I mix it with water in a spray bottle and get spritzing. It leaves behind a noticeably fresh and clean smell that lasts for days and much like other Zoflora scents, it eliminates odours and kills 99.9 per cent of viruses — including ones that could potentially cause illness to your pet. The only reason I don't super love it is that it's not really that eco-friendly. This is just one genius idea when it comes to cleaning up after our dogs.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best automatic air freshener
+ Automatic
+ Easy to hide
+ No spray
+ Cord-free
+ Range of scents available
+ 45 days longevity
- Not the best looking
Another favourite of mine, this budget-friendly Airwick Essential Mist Kit is fuss-free. It oozes scent on its own, just simply place it wherever you like. I used to have mine in my living room, but then I moved it to my bathroom and now I've given it to a friend. But essentially, It turns essential oils into a mist to make your home emit a lovely — yet natural —smell in lots of scent options. It has three settings and you can switch your scent with the season. Buy the diffuser once and the refills again and again.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best plug-in air freshener
+ Powerful
+ Will fill large rooms
+ Long-lasting
- Plug sold separately
- Wastes electricity
If you have a large room that you'd like to smell nice and you struggle with finding a scent that will diffuse throughout this big space, then I've found a plug-in air freshener for you. The Yankee Candle ScentPlug gets big points from a Real Homes team member for use in her flat, just don't be put off by the small size of the refill — this stuff is powerful. You do have to buy the ScentPlug separately, for £5.99.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best air freshener for carpets
+ Instant results
+ No need to vacuum
+ Range of scents
- Aerosol
Worried that your carpet or rug is starting to smell? If you've done everything you can, in terms of vacuuming and using a carpet cleaner, then try this out. I really like using it occasionally, but too much and it makes your rug feel damp. It comes in different scents, all great at masking smells. And it can mask smoke and cooking scents. Opt for the pet version if you have a four-legged friend who spends a lot of time on your rug or carpet. To use, just give it a shake and point it towards your carpet or rug and spray lightly. Open your windows to allow for air circulation and to help dry.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best air freshener for cars
+ Little to no effort
+ Fits in a cup holder
+ Long-lasting
+ Lots of scents
- Can't be controlled
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. 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 it in your vehicle and enjoy. An easy way to ensure your car won't smell like Mcdonald's all the time.
Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best solid air freshener
+ 3 month lifespan
+ Eco-friendly & plastic-free
+ No spray
+ Range of scents
- Not the strongest
- Can't control
- Pricey
I've had plenty of Baies candles in my time, but never tried the scented oval. If you're a fan of Diptyque's other scents, then this would make the perfect air freshener for your home according to reviewers who really love it. Where to put it? In your bathroom! Though the French word for berries is baies, it has more of a floral than a fruity scent, the Diptyque Baies Scented Oval smells of roses and blackcurrant. It's encased in ceramic so ideal for hanging in smaller rooms, as the refreshing fragrance slowly emits over time.
The best air freshener for bins
+ 2 scents
+ 30 uses
+ Smells great
+ Works quickly
+ Can be used indoors or out
- Only for bins
- Plastic packaging
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. I've not used this myself but I've seen people rave about it online. Essentially, you use it on top of existing rubbish or in an empty bin (bag inside or not), and it does a good job at disguising bin odours. It soaks up your bin juice while killing maggots and flies.
The best plastic-free air freshener
+ Biodegradable and plastic-free
+ Multi-purpose
+ Lasts for up to two years
+ Fragrance-free product
- Might not work in bigger spaces
- No small
From deodorising your shoes to whisking away bad smells from cars, these little bags of bamboo charcoal have lots of uses. Musty cupboards? These will help. Odd smell in your kitchen? They'll work for this too. I've not used them but reviewers rave about them. For best results, you'll want to use one in a small space, for targeted freshening. You can reuse them for about two years, simply refresh them by putting them out in the sun for a day. When you want to replace them, you can use the charcoal inside as plant fertiliser.
Real Homes review process — how we test air fresheners
Yes, we like to test almost everything we feature at Real Homes. With the help of our writers, editors, and freelancers, we work to test everything in our buying guides. In the case that we've not had hands-on experience with something, we'll only feature it if it has rave reviews.
In the case of these air fresheners, all of the ones above which have a star rating have been reviewed by members of our team.
Meet our air freshener testers below:
Hi! I'm Annie and I've been an editor at Real Homes since 2018, reviewing everything from portable grills to air fresheners — and everything in between. I've tested nine out of 16 of these air fresheners, and it's safe to say that I really do love them all. Though obviously, I can't use them all at once.
I currently have the Neom Wellbeing Pod in my bathroom and guests love it, while I always repurchase the Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray but I'm super careful using it around my Pug. Otherwise, if I run out of air freshener I'll grab one from Mrs.Meyer's while at my local shop. Otherwise, I've also used the Attirecare Upholstery Spray, the Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, the Airwick Essential Mist Kit, the Air Wick Botanica Room Spray and the 1001 Carpet Fresh plus Zoflora's Fresh Home disinfectant.
I've also tested the majority of the buys in our scented candles and reed diffusers guides, too.
Jenny uses the Home Pourri Fresh Air room spray for freshening up carpets to quickly spritzing around her cat's litter tray and bins. Each of the three fragrances in the collection smell really natural and the no-nasties formula means she doesn't have to worry about it being safe around her cat or child.
Christina swears by the AREON Ken car air freshener which she uses to make her car smell amazing. She also tested the Nookary Probiotic Air Freshener and loved it.
Molly isn't a lover of overpowering scents and always reverts back to classic combinations at home for that sense of familiarity. Her boyfriend hates artificial smells, so a plug-in is the only way she can sneak an air freshener into the mix without him noticing. She loves her Yankee Plug-In and says it's the perfect no-maintenance air freshener for her space. Her favourite is the Vanilla Lime scent.
Which type of air freshener should I buy?
There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to air fresheners. In fact, this will hugely depend on where you want to use your new air freshener, and whether you want something that you can control — or if you'd rather an automatic air freshener.
Here are the main types of air freshener:
- Spray air fresheners are great for use pretty much anywhere, but especially on fabrics and upholstery. You can control how much scent they emit, and when they work. Opt for a mist for a lighter fragrance.
- Plug-in air fresheners are automatic so you needn't fuss about ensuring your home smells nice. Just choose your fragrance and plug it into a socket.
- Disinfectant air fresheners, such as a bottle of Zoflora, will need to be diluted with water, into a spray bottle, to work.
- Diffuser air fresheners also work on their own, with no need for a human to press go. These can sit atop a side, whether hidden or on display.
- Gel air fresheners tend to be compact, and you just need to display them up high on a surface so that they emit scent.
- Solid air fresheners might need to be hung, or they will need to be placed away from things, to ooze fragrance.
What is the best air freshener?
Tried and tested by the Real Homes 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 essential oils.
How to make your own air freshener
Not a fan of strong commercial fragrances, or simply want to make a cheaper version of one of the all-natural room fresheners on our list? This couldn't be easier.
You will need:
1. Distilled water – this is important to make sure your spray lasts;
2. Rubbing alcohol (opens in new tab) or cheap vodka (opens in new tab).
3. Essential oil of your choice (we like lavender (opens in new tab));
4. A spray bottle – we like this glass set from Amazon (opens in new tab)
- Mix the vodka and distilled water in a ratio of 1:4 (this is approximate, nothing bad will happen if it's not exact).
- Add about 10 drops of essential oil.
- Pour into the spray bottle, and shake well. This works a treat as an ironing water, too. If using citrus oil, avoid spraying directly on fabrics.
Bad smells at home – what's the biggest offender?
Carpets are the worst culprits for spreading those nasty whiffs, but curtains and upholstery come close behind. The best way to tackle them (other than introducing air fresheners) is to pay them a visit while armed with an amazing vacuum cleaner. This ought to make your air fresheners much more effective.
Find out more in our guide to cleaning a carpet.
