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8 Surprising Ways to Use Cinnamon in Your House

Cinnamon sticks lying next to a pile of ground cinnamon.
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Uses for cinnamon aren’t limited to baking or spicing up your morning coffee. This aromatic spice with its warm and inviting scent can be used in various creative ways around your home, too.

From helping your houseplants thrive to creating natural bug repellents, cinnamon offers a range of surprising hacks that can enhance your living space. Get ready to explore eight ways how to use cinnamon in your house to improve your quality of life.

Houseplant Soil Enhancer

Cinnamon sprinkled on the top of a houseplant's soil.
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If you have a gnat issue in your home, the potting soil for your houseplants could be attracting them. To resolve the issue, try using cinnamon. Just sprinkle some cinnamon on your houseplant soil and watch the gnats disappear.

Cinnamon possesses surprising antibacterial properties that help protect your houseplants from soil-borne diseases. It also kills the fungus that gnat larvae feed on so you can keep your home cleaner and bug-free.

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Grab some new pots but don't forget the cinnamon.

Simmering Home Scents

A pot of liquid, oranges, and cinnamon sticks.
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If you can figure out how to use cinnamon to improve the fragrance in your home, then you’ll never have to purchase room refreshers again. This spice has a rich, comforting aroma that can create a cozy atmosphere in your home.

This is how to use cinnamon for an amazing home fragrance: Start a simmer pot by combining cinnamon sticks, orange peels, cloves, and water in a pot on the stove. Let it simmer on low heat to release a delightful fragrance throughout your home.

Simmer anytime you plan to have guests over to make your house smell delicious…or enjoy the fragrance whenever you’re home alone.

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Natural Pest Repellent

A stick of cinnamon on a window sill.
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If you’re dealing with some pest issues, try using cinnamon in your garden or around your home.

Many insects, including ants, dislike the strong scent of cinnamon. It acts as a natural deterrent to keep them away.

Simply sprinkle ground cinnamon along windowsills, doorways, or other entry points to discourage ants and other pests from entering your home. When you use it out in your garden, you can protect your plants from hungry critters and bugs.

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Cinnamon Sachet Refresheners

A sachet of cinnamon and cloves.
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Cinnamon is a great way to keep your linens and other clothes smelling fresh. Cinnamon’s natural fragrance can prevent musty odors in drawers and closets so you don’t have to keep washing those clothes you haven’t worn in months.

Place a few cinnamon sticks or sachets filled with ground cinnamon in your drawers. You can also hang them in your closet to enjoy a pleasant, long-lasting scent. Your clothes will stay clean and cozy much longer.

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Keep your clothes smelling fresh with these scented sachets.

Cleaning Booster

A clear spray bottle with lemon and cinnamon on a counter.
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If you’re looking for more uses for cinnamon, try taking advantage of its antibacterial and antifungal properties. You can create your own homemade cleaning solutions. If you’re tired of using traditional cleaners around your home, just turn to your container of cinnamon to help.

Mix cinnamon with baking soda and water to create a natural cleaning paste. You can use this for scrubbing countertops, sinks, and other surfaces.

If you want a liquid all-purpose cleaner, mix distilled white vinegar, orange peels, and cinnamon sticks in a jar. Let it sit covered for two weeks in a dark cupboard before straining it into a spray bottle and using it as an all-purpose cleaner.

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Natural Potpourri

Aroma potpourri with cinnamon and other spices in a bowl on a wooden table.
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As the seasons change, it’s fun to put out fresh potpourri to keep your home smelling nice and looking lovely. Using cinnamon for its fall scent is the perfect way to get in an autumn mood.

While you can purchase some fall-scented potpourri, you can also make your own. Mix cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel, cloves, and other aromatic ingredients to create your potpourri blend. Place it in decorative bowls around your home.

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Whether you want some home décor or added fragrance, potpourri is a great solution.

Treat Mold

Person wearing a yellow cleaning glove scrubs at mold on a wall with a sponge.
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Cinnamon can help prevent the growth of mold and mildew due to its antifungal properties. If you spot mold in areas around your home or garden, cinnamon can also help kill it.

Try mixing a few drops of cinnamon essential oil with water in a spray bottle and use it to spray bathroom surfaces prone to mold and mildew, such as shower curtains or grout lines. You can also layer cinnamon on your soil and around plants to remove harmful mold.

But of course, this cinnamon hack should only be used in areas where you see small bits of mold, and if you’re concerned about it and your health, it’s always best to call a professional.

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Deodorize Your Carpets

A person vacuuming their carpet.
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If you’re hoping to get some strange smells out of your home carpet, try using cinnamon. This versatile spice works wonders as a deodorizer and can get your carpets clean again.

All you need is a glass jar, ½ cup of borax, ½ cup of baking soda, and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix it all together and you have a natural carpet deodorizer. Just sprinkle it on your smelly carpet, let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up and you’re good to go.

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Incorporating cinnamon into your household routines can not only provide a pleasant fragrance but also offer practical benefits. Give these surprising cinnamon hacks a try to make the most of this versatile spice and get your home smelling lovely.

Abbey Ryan Abbey Ryan
Abbey Ryan is a storyteller, preferably of stories in written form. Across the 5 years of her professional writing career, her work has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, Amazon, The Medical News Today, and more. When she's not writing (which is rare), she's likely traveling, painting, or on the hunt for a good snack. Read Full Bio »
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