Aldi has ignited a shopping frenzy with a budget-friendly home item that customers are calling perfect for a New Year refresh. The supermarket's latest special buy, a £2.99 'Cleanse' candle from its Hotel Collection, is flying off shelves as shoppers look to banish post-Christmas odours and start 2026 with a fresh-smelling home.
The Scent of a Fresh Start
The candle, which went on sale on 31 December 2025, is specifically designed to eliminate unpleasant smells while filling a room with a refreshing fragrance of orange blossom and berries. Marketed as an 'Aroma Guard' product, its packaging clearly states its dual purpose: "Odour neutralising candle helps to eliminate bad odours with a refreshing fragrance."
Aldi showcased the item on its popular @aldispecialbuysuk Instagram account, prompting an enthusiastic response. The post quickly amassed over 5,000 likes and a flood of comments from eager buyers. One simply stated "Need," while another praised "Ooh." A dedicated fan commented, "I love candles," and one shopper made a notable comparison, claiming the scent was a perfect alternative to a discontinued candle previously sold by Boots.
More Than Just a Candle
For those seeking a longer-lasting fragrance option, Aldi is also offering a complementary product. The retailer's £2.99 Aromaguard Diffuser is available in three scents, including the matching 'Cleanse' fragrance. Described with the tagline "Because peace and quiet should smell this good," the diffusers promise approximately six weeks of fragrance and come in variants like Calming – Violet, Pear & Camomile, and Airy – Patchouli & Fresh Mint.
Both the candle and diffuser are available in stores now, while stocks last. As with all Aldi Specialbuys, availability is limited, prompting swift action from savvy shoppers looking to grab a bargain.
A Competitive Market for Home Fragrance
Aldi is not the only retailer tapping into the demand for odour-neutralising home products. Competitors like Dunelm are also in the market, offering a Linen and Sky scented candle for £4 – though at a higher price point than Aldi's offering. This indicates a growing consumer trend towards affordable home fragrance solutions that serve a practical purpose beyond mere scent.
The successful launch of this £2.99 item underscores Aldi's strategy of driving footfall with desirable, limited-edition homeware products. It provides a cost-effective solution for the traditional January desire to refresh and reorganise living spaces, proving that a new year's refresh doesn't have to break the bank.
