Caring for elderly parents often involves noticing the small details that make daily life more comfortable. A room that smells clean and fresh can help your loved one feel more at ease and confident when friends or family visit.
Whether you are dealing with lingering cooking smells, hygiene odours, vacuum dust, or simply want to freshen up a living space, there are different approaches to consider. Some products actively disinfect surfaces, others add fragrance to the air, and some work quietly in the background to absorb odours over time.
Here’s a closer look at several options to help you decide what might work in your situation.
If your loved one is suffering from incontinence we recommend chatting to your local incontinence service. Read more at our incontinence guides.
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If you’ve found a product that’s made a real difference to your parent, we’d love to hear about it. Please get in touch at hello@carents.co.uk and help us share with others in the Carents community.
1. Zoflora Mountain Air Multipurpose Disinfectant Trigger Spray
Zoflora Mountain Air Multipurpose Disinfectant Trigger Spray is designed to clean and disinfect while leaving a fresh fragrance. It comes in a ready-to-use trigger spray bottle and can be used on a variety of hard surfaces around the home. This may suit carers who want a product that tackles both germs and odours in one step.
Pros:
✔️ Multipurpose – cleans and disinfects surfaces as well as freshening, kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria
✔️ Ready-to-use trigger spray – no dilution required
✔️ Mountain Air fragrance – designed to leave rooms smelling fresh
✔️ Suitable for common household surfaces
Cons:
❌ Not a substitute for ventilation in rooms with persistent damp issues
Best for:
Freshening and disinfecting kitchens, bathrooms and frequently used surfaces in one step.
2. Vac Fresh Hoover Bag Fresheners
Vac Fresh Hoover Bag Fresheners are small scented inserts designed to be placed inside your vacuum cleaner bag. As you vacuum, they release fragrance into the air, helping to neutralise dust-related odours. This can be helpful if your parent’s home retains a musty smell after cleaning.
Pros:
✔️ Simple to use – place directly into the vacuum bag
✔️ Freshens air while vacuuming
✔️ Compact and easy to store
✔️ Can help reduce dusty or stale odours
Cons:
❌ Fragrance strength may vary depending on vacuum type
Best for:
Homes where vacuuming tends to stir up lingering dust or damp smells.
3. Air Wick Eucalyptus Air Freshener Air Spray
Air Wick Eucalyptus Air Freshener Air Spray is an aerosol spray designed to quickly freshen rooms and neutralise odours. The eucalyptus fragrance offers a clean, crisp scent and can be used in living rooms, bedrooms or bathrooms. It may suit carers looking for a quick solution before guests arrive.
Pros:
✔️ Instant freshness
✔️ Eucalyptus fragrance for a clean scent
✔️ No residue
✔️ Suitable for multiple rooms
Cons:
❌ Aerosol format may not suit those with respiratory sensitivities
❌ Fragrance is temporary and may require frequent use
❌ Adds scent rather than addressing underlying causes of odour
Best for:
A quick refresh in living areas or bathrooms when time is limited.
4. Vitscan 8 Pack Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag
The Vitscan 8 Pack Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag uses activated bamboo charcoal to absorb moisture and odours naturally. These bags can be placed in wardrobes, bathrooms, cars or near pet areas. They are fragrance-free and reusable after being placed in sunlight for 2 hours once a month to refresh.
Pros:
✔️ Fragrance-free – suitable for sensitive noses
✔️ Absorbs odours and moisture naturally
✔️ Reusable – can be refreshed in sunlight
✔️ Suitable for wardrobes, cupboards and enclosed spaces
Cons:
❌ Slower acting than sprays
❌ Needs regular sunlight exposure to maintain effectiveness
Best for:
Ongoing odour control in wardrobes, bathrooms and other enclosed spaces without adding fragrance.
Which Option Might Suit Your Situation?
🧴 For surface cleaning and freshness combined:
Zoflora Mountain Air Multipurpose Disinfectant Trigger Spray – a practical choice if you want to disinfect and freshen hard surfaces in one step.
🧹 For fresher-smelling vacuuming:
Vac Fresh Hoover Bag Fresheners – helpful if vacuuming tends to release dusty or stale odours into the air.
🌿 For a quick room refresh:
Air Wick Eucalyptus Air Freshener Air Spray – suitable when you need to freshen a space promptly, such as before visitors arrive.
🌱 For fragrance-free, long-term odour absorption:
Vitscan 8 Pack Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag – a natural option for ongoing odour control in wardrobes, bathrooms and enclosed spaces without adding scent.
A comfortable home environment can make everyday life that little bit easier for both you and your parent. Small changes, such as managing household odours, can help create a space that feels welcoming and cared for.
If you’ve found an air freshener or odour solution that’s worked particularly well for your elderly parent, we’d love to hear about it. Sharing your experiences can help other carers make informed choices. Get in touch with us at hello@carents.co.uk and let us know what’s made a difference in your home.
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This article may contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase via these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also receive compensation from partners for featuring their products, which supports the continued running of Carents.co.uk and our services at no cost to users. We only suggest products we genuinely believe may help. Carents accepts no responsibility for the quality, safety, or suitability of any third-party products. If you choose to make a purchase you do so at your own risk.Got a product to recommend? Email us at hello@carents.co.uk.