Easy Ways To Eliminate Bad Smells From A Busy Home Filled With Kids And Pets
No one likes to deal with bad smells—there's no denying it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things in life that have a tendency to accumulate unpleasant odors.
Luckily, there are lots of easy ways to limit the spread and strength of bad smells in the home using readily available household items.
Get Rid Of Lingering Smells In Your Microwave
To remove the stink from your microwave, pour a half cup of water into a bowl. Cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the bowl, and put the halves in there too, then microwave the mixture on high for five minutes.
Leave the bowl inside for a few more minutes after the five minutes finish and then remove the bowl and wipe down the microwave.
Use Coca-Cola To Remove Stains From Your Toilet
Toilet bowl stains are not only nasty to look at, but can also create a stench. To help remove them, empty the toilet bowl and pour some Coca-Cola in. The acid in the soda can help to remove these stains. Let it sit in the bowl this overnight and then flush it away.
Burn Orange Peels After Cooking Strong-Smelling Foods
Citrus often has a mood-lifting effect and can reduce stress, and it's also the perfect air freshener for your kitchen.
Dry some orange peels overnight and burn them over the stove or with a lit match: not only will it cover the smell of whatever you cooked last, but the pleasant scent will linger in your kitchen for a while.
Use Baking Soda To Eliminate Smells In Your Fridge
Most of the time, fridge fresheners mask the smells that accumulate in your fridge instead of getting rid of them. Baking soda effectively absorbs and neutralizes stubborn odors—just put an open box of baking soda in your fridge and change it once a year.
DIY Some Air Freshener
Air fresheners from the store can contain chemicals that are harmful to people. To make your own at home, you just need a spray bottle, distilled water, your favorite essential oil, and witch hazel.
In a bottle, mix 20–25 drops of essential oil with half a bottle of witch hazel. Add distilled water and it's ready for you to use in any room or on your linens.
Remove Stinky Spots From Your Carpet
Just about every pet owner has had to deal with their animal companion having an accident on the floor. To remove any unpleasant smells in the carpet, spray a mixture of 5 oz (150 ml) hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda on the area and let it dry.
You will notice a powder has appeared in the area you sprayed—simply vacuum it up.
Deodorize Your Mattress With Baking Soda
You sleep on it every night, so you want it to smell fresh. Sprinkle some baking soda on top of it and leave it 30 minutes. After, vacuum it up using the upholstery attachment. This method also works on upholstered furniture.
Make A Self-Disinfecting Toilet Brush
Toilet brushes are used to clean the dirtiest part of your house, so naturally, they accumulate some nasty odors. To solve this problem, add liquid dish soap to its stand. The soap will kill bacteria after you’ve used the brush as intended and will prevent further spreading of odors.
Eliminate The Smell Of Fish From Your Kitchen
Fried fish can make for a delicious meal, but it can leave an unpleasant smell behind after cooking. To eliminate the odor, boil a cup of vinegar mixed with a cup of water on the stove right after you cook the fish on it. The vapor from the vinegar will combat the fishy odor and eventually remove it from your kitchen.
Get Rid Of Odors In Your Garbage Disposal With Citrus
Cut a lemon or orange into wedges, turn the disposal on, and start putting the citrus pieces in it one at a time. The citrus pieces help clean the components of the grinder and leave a pleasant smell.
Leave Your Bathroom Smelling Better With A Toilet Bomb
A toilet bomb is made to kill bacteria and release a fresh smell all over the room. In a large bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of citric acid, 1/2 cup of washing soda, 1/2 cup of Epsom salt, 1 tablespoon of ground soap, 1 tablespoon of sodium polycarbonate, and 15 drops of any essential oil.
With a spray bottle, spray enough witch hazel on the mixture until it becomes firm enough to form into balls; roll them and let them dry for at least six hours before dropping one into your toilet.
Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh With Used Dryer Sheets
Even after use, dryer sheets tend to retain their pleasant smell. Place them on your closet shelves, in your drawers, or put them into the pockets of your jackets so clothes retain their pleasant, fresh scent even months after being put away.
...Or Keep Odors Away From Clothes With Potpourri
If you are fond of natural scents, then you can make your own clothing deodorizers. Fill a small fabric bag with herbs like lavender, rosemary, or spearmint, and put it on the shelves of your closet and change it every month.
Clean Your Washing Machine To Eliminate Mold Build-Up
Mold can grow on the rubber seal attached to the washing machine's door, leading to stinky odors in your laundry room. Mix 1 cup of bleach with 4 cups of warm water, pour some of it onto a sponge or an old towel, and clean the gasket.
After, run a cycle at the hottest water setting, adding some mold remover as well. When you’re done, leave the door open to air out.
Absorb Unpleasant Smells In Your Home Using Coffee Grounds
Want to get rid of bad odors in the home? Simply place shallow bowls with used coffee grounds in them all around the house; they will absorb and eliminate any unwanted odors.
Remove Odors From Shoes Using Dryer Sheets
There's no denying it: with all the wear and sweat they deal with, shoes have a tendency to develop some nasty odors. To get them smelling fresh again, stick a dryer sheet inside each shoe overnight.
Turn Toilet Rolls Into Bathroom Air Fresheners
You can turn your toilet paper rolls into air fresheners with a little help from essential oils. When stocking up your bathroom with new rolls, simply add a few drops of an essential oil to the inner cardboard tube and the pleasant aroma will fill the room.
Use Activated Charcoal To Eliminate Litterbox Odor
Activated charcoal can absorb a lot of unpleasant odors. Put some of it into a cheesecloth and set it in or near the litter box. You can also put in a small bowl next to the box if you prefer. It acts quickly to make any unwanted scents disappear.
Stop Your Kitchen Garbage From Smelling Nasty
Garbage cans, especially the one in your kitchen, can start to smell after housing trash for so long. Help eliminate lingering odors in your garbage can by sprinkling baking soda inside the bottom before adding a new bag.
Don't Underestimate The Value Of Houseplants
Not only do plants make your room look greener and cozier, but they also help to purify the air. Snake plants, dracaena, lady palms, Chinese evergreen, or weeping fig are some of the most popular choices when it comes to improving your indoor air quality.
