How to make your dorm room smell INSANELY good

Dorm rooms are notorious for being smelling. In fact, I think they are all born smelly…

The second you walk into your new dorm room, you’re smiling ear to ear. The next second, you’re cringing at whatever was there before you… now all that’s left is a smelly scent-ghost.

You certainly don’t want to bring your new friends or hot neighbors into a smelly dorm room. That’s a first impression to avoid for sure!

No worries. There are many ways to fix this. First, make sure you clean EVERYTHING before you move in! After that, keep the fresh scents going with these amazing tips to keep your college dorm room smelling good!

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Air Purifier with HEPA Filter

Get rid of the stale smell at the source with a constant flow of refreshed air. This will help keep you and your roommate healthier by removing toxins, viruses, and bacteria from the air! This is the exact air purifier I have and it is perfect for small spaces.

Plus, this model comes with aromatherapy pads!

Vent Clip Car Scents

I used to do this all the time! Any time I wanted to change up the scent in my car, I would take my half-used car fragrance and pin it to the air vents in my dorm room. Not only did this allow me to get full use out of them, but it also kept my dorm smelling amazing all the time!

Scented Moisture Absorber

If you are fortunate enough to have a shower in your dorm suite, chances are you probably have poor ventilation too. Too much humidity in the air can cause a musty smell, especially in tight dorm rooms. Scented DampRid will pull moisture from the air to reduce the musty smell, while also leaving a pleasant scent. And the best part, it does not require any electricity!

Dehumidifier

Speaking of humidity… if the humidity in your dorm room is extreme, try adding a small dehumidifier. Even if your dorm suite bathroom has a vent, place this dehumidifer in the bathroom during showers to supercharge your moisture removal… Especially when paired with DampRid!

Laundry Scent Boosters

I keep my closet smelling like fresh laundry for less than $5! This is my top favorite tip. In fact, I still do this even in my first apartment.

Heck, you probably already have most, if not all, of the items you’ll need.

The most inexpensive way to accomplish this is to stop by your local Dollar Tree. I get one box of Downy Unstopables, coffee filters, and clothes pins. When I buy the small box from the dollar store, I split it into 2 coffee filters, and pin them in my closets.

Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets used to be my go-to method for keeping my dorm or apartment smelling fresh constantly. Now, I prefer using laundry scent boosters, but dryer sheets definitely still deserve an honorable mention!

These are super inexpensive. You can get them at any grocery store or even at a dollar store.

Stash away dryer sheets in your dresser drawers, hang them in your closet, and hide them in places your guests hang out most to make your place smell amazing!

Plug-in Air Freshener

If you can spare a plug, this is a super easy way to boost the fresh scent in your dorm! They can be a bit overwhelming in small spaces, but if you use them sparingly they will work perfectly!

Plus, there is some super cute ones out there nowadays. Also, there’s even some to help you sleep!

Essential Oil Diffuser

I LOVE essential oil diffusers. They are amazing for helping you fall asleep, refreshing your sinuses when you’re sick, and they help make your place smell amazing!

Essential oils can be used for a lot of different purposes, but at the very least, you can mix and match oils to create your own scents. I love using thieves and cinnamon during the holidays to create a Christmasy scent!

Unlit Candles

Now I know this is “how to make college dorm smell good with out burning candles”…. but hear me out here.

You’d be amazed at how much fragrance an unlit candle actually gives off. Especially if you place it somewhere warm! I love to put candles everywhere, even if I don’t light them. This works really well in small places like dorm rooms and bathrooms.

Put them by warm windows, by the heater, and in your steamy bathroom to get the benefits of a scented candle without the flame!

Christmas Cookie by Yankee Candle is my absolute favorite scent… year round! Tuscany Candle is a great option too. I usually buy them at Meijer or Kroger for super cheap.

Reed Diffuser

I don’t know how I completely forgot these existed while I was in college, but some how I did. Reed diffusers are super cute to put on your desk or dresser! And most importantly, it will keep you dorm room smelling super clean.

Dorm rooms are just smelly. You live your entire college life inside the same four walls… it’s bound to get stinky in there!

And since candles aren’t allowed in dorm rooms, at least now you have 7 different ways to make your dorm room smell amazing WITHOUT burning candles!

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