'Shockingly cheap' way to make your home smell amazing is hiding in the cupboard

Irish Daily Mirror

24-05-2025

With June nearly upon us and the warmer weather finally here, many will be turning their thoughts to the big spring clean.
There's nothing quite like getting the house sparkling clean for the summer ahead, and now cleaning experts have issued an unusual tip to help get rid of musty odours and lingering smells.
Simply adding cinnamon to your vacuum cleaner could help make your home smell fresh without breaking the bank (or your appliance).
After years of use, many hoovers will start to smell rather worn. Dust, dirt, mud, pet hairs and general grime are not a recipe for freshness, and sometimes just running the vacuum for half an hour can leave your house smelling a bit off.
According to Lottomart, a sprinkling of cinnamon directly inside your vacuum has two benefits: it spreads a sweet, fresh smell throughout the house every time you vac. And, it also has antibacterial properties, meaning nasty germs dwelling in your carpet will be killed off, too, reports the Express.
They said: "Over time, dust, pet hair, and trapped dirt can create a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant odours inside your vac.
"But before you splash out on pricey fresheners or replace parts, there's a simple, natural, and shockingly cheap solution hiding right in your spice cupboard: cinnamon!".
"Cinnamon isn't just for cooking - it's a powerful, natural deodoriser with antibacterial properties. If you don't already have some ground cinnamon at home, a 36g tub from Tesco costs just €1."
To make your vacuum emit a delightful scent, start by moistening a small napkin or cotton pad with warm water.
Then, sprinkle about 10g, which is roughly two teaspoons, of ground cinnamon onto the damp napkin or cotton pad and rub it in gently to ensure it's spread out evenly.
Once you've prepared the napkin, just pop it into the vacuum cleaner's bag or dustbin. If you have a bagless vacuum, place it in the waste/dustbin compartment where it won't interfere with the suction.
As you vacuum as usual, the cinnamon-laden napkin will move through the machine, wafting a cosy, bakery-like aroma and getting rid of any nasty niffs.
A Lottomart spokesperson said: "Unlike chemical air fresheners or commercial cleaners, cinnamon neutralises bad smells at the source while leaving behind a warm, subtle fragrance. It's a far more pleasant, long-lasting scent compared to synthetic alternatives."
Science journals suggest there's something special about cinnamon's antibacterial or antimicrobial properties. IOPScience notes: "Cinnamon bark has been commonly used as spicy and traditional medicine. It contains several antibacterial compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and cinnamaldehyde. Several studies have been done to know the antibacterial effect on bacteria such as Streptococcus in vitro."