Spiders are not exactly the kind of houseguests most people want to welcome indoors. While many spiders are harmless and can even help control other insects, that does not mean you want to see them crawling across your walls, hiding in closets, or building webs in the corners of your home.

As the weather begins to cool down, spiders often start looking for warmer, sheltered places to stay. Unfortunately, that can mean basements, garages, bathrooms, closets, window frames, and quiet corners around the house.

The good news is that you do not always need harsh chemicals to make your home less inviting to spiders. With a few simple household items and regular cleaning habits, you can reduce the chances of spiders settling in and make your living space feel cleaner, fresher, and more comfortable.

Here are eight simple ways to help keep spiders out of your house.

1. Use Peppermint Essential Oil Carefully

Peppermint essential oil is one of the most commonly mentioned natural spider deterrents. Many people believe its strong scent helps make certain areas less appealing to spiders and other pests.

To try this method, place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and set them in areas where spiders may hide, such as under furniture, near baseboards, in closets, or close to entry points. You can also mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist areas around windows, doors, and corners.

However, this method should be used with caution. Essential oils can be harmful to pets and young children if swallowed or used improperly. Keep treated cotton balls out of reach, avoid spraying near pet bedding or food bowls, and do not apply essential oils directly to surfaces that children or animals may touch.

2. Sprinkle Cinnamon Near Entry Points

Cinnamon is another strong-smelling household item that many people use to discourage spiders from entering the home.

You can sprinkle a small amount of ground cinnamon near doorways, windowsills, basement entrances, and other areas where spiders may find their way inside. Some homeowners also use cinnamon sticks in closets, storage rooms, or window areas for a cleaner and less messy option.

The goal is not to eliminate spiders instantly, but to create a scent barrier that may make these areas less attractive. This method works best when combined with sealing cracks, cleaning regularly, and removing webs as soon as they appear.

3. Spray a Vinegar and Water Solution

Distilled white vinegar is a common household cleaner, and many people also use it as a natural pest deterrent.

To make a simple spray, mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then lightly spray around cracks, crevices, baseboards, window frames, and doorways where spiders may enter or hide.

The strong smell of vinegar may help discourage spiders from lingering in treated areas. It can also be useful for wiping down surfaces where webs have appeared.

Before using vinegar on wood, stone, or delicate surfaces, test a small hidden area first. Vinegar can damage some finishes, so it is better to be careful than risk staining or dulling your furniture or flooring.

4. Try Cedar in Closets and Storage Areas

Cedar has long been used in closets and storage spaces because of its strong natural scent. Many people use cedar blocks, cedar hangers, or cedar chips to help keep closets fresher and less attractive to pests.

If spiders often appear in your wardrobe, linen closet, attic storage boxes, or basement shelves, cedar may be a simple option to try. Swap plastic hangers for cedar hangers, place cedar blocks on shelves, or use cedar sachets in storage bins.

Cedar also adds a pleasant, clean scent to enclosed spaces, making it a practical choice for areas where mustiness and pests can become a problem.

5. Use Citrus Peels Around the Home

Spiders and many household pests are often associated with avoiding strong citrus scents. Orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit peels can be placed near windows, doorways, and other spider-prone areas.

You can also gently rub fresh citrus peel along windowsills or baseboards to leave behind a light scent. This gives your home a fresh smell while possibly making those spaces less welcoming to spiders.

Be sure to replace citrus peels regularly before they dry out completely or begin to spoil. Fresh peels work better for scent, but old peels can attract other pests if left too long.

6. Clean With Lemon Furniture Polish

If you already use furniture polish around the house, a lemon-scented polish may offer an added benefit. The citrus fragrance can help freshen your home while making wood surfaces less appealing to spiders.

Use lemon furniture polish on wooden tables, shelves, cabinets, and other approved surfaces according to the product instructions. Pay special attention to areas that do not get cleaned often, such as dark shelves, corners, and furniture near walls.

Keeping surfaces clean is just as important as the scent itself. Spiders prefer quiet, undisturbed spaces, so regular dusting and polishing can make your home less comfortable for them.

7. Place Chestnuts in Quiet Corners

Chestnuts are often mentioned as an old-fashioned spider deterrent. Some people place them under furniture, in closets, near windows, or in basement corners where spiders tend to appear.

While this method may sound unusual, it remains popular because it is simple, inexpensive, and easy to try. If you have chestnuts available, place a few in spider-prone areas and replace them when they dry out or lose freshness.

This method should be viewed as a gentle preventive step rather than a guaranteed solution. For best results, use it alongside cleaning, sealing gaps, and reducing clutter.

8. Use Coconut Oil Spray With Caution

Coconut oil is another household item some people use in homemade spider-repelling sprays. To try it, mix a small amount of coconut oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it lightly around cracks, crevices, and areas where spiders may enter.

Because oil and water do not mix easily, shake the bottle well before each use. Also, avoid spraying coconut oil on floors, fabric, carpets, or surfaces that may become slippery or stained.

This method should be used carefully, especially in homes with pets, children, or delicate flooring.

Extra Tips to Keep Spiders Away

Natural scents may help, but the most effective spider prevention usually starts with basic home maintenance.

Vacuum regularly, especially in corners, under furniture, behind curtains, and along baseboards. Remove spider webs as soon as you see them. Keep storage areas tidy and avoid leaving piles of boxes, clothing, or paper where spiders can hide.

Seal cracks around windows, doors, vents, and foundation gaps. Install door sweeps if there is space under exterior doors. Repair damaged screens and check that windows close properly.

Outdoor maintenance also matters. Keep firewood, leaves, and clutter away from the foundation of your home. Trim plants and bushes that touch the house, since spiders and insects often use them as hiding places.

A Cleaner Home Is the Best Defense

Spiders may be small, but they can make a home feel uncomfortable fast. Fortunately, simple habits can make a big difference.

Peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, cedar, citrus, lemon polish, chestnuts, and coconut oil are all easy options people use to make their homes less inviting to spiders. While no natural method is perfect on its own, combining these ideas with regular cleaning and home maintenance can help reduce spider activity indoors.

The key is consistency.

Keep your home clean, remove webs quickly, seal entry points, and use natural scents safely. With a little effort, you can make your house feel fresher, more comfortable, and far less welcoming to unwanted eight-legged visitors.