Over the years, our team at Real Simple, along with trusted experts, has gathered numerous household cleaning tips, specifically focusing on ways to eliminate odors in your home. Whether it’s a lingering smell in the garbage disposal or an unpleasant odor wafting from the dishwasher, we’ve discovered various methods to address these issues and keep our homes smelling clean.
If you’re currently facing a situation where your home has an unwanted scent, start by identifying and addressing the source of the odor using the provided guide. Once you’ve ruled out the obvious culprits, such as your pet’s litter box or remnants of last night’s dinner, give these tricks a try to freshen up everything from your refrigerator to your sofa. Your sense of smell will appreciate it.
Refresh Your Fridge with Vanilla
Soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract and place it on a small dish near the back of one of the shelves in your fridge. After addressing any potential causes of odor, the warm and inviting scent of vanilla will permeate the refrigerator, leaving it smelling pleasant.
Deodorize the Kitchen Garbage Can
Kitchen garbage can develop unpleasant odors, especially after cooking strong-smelling foods or forgetting to take out the trash. To combat these smells, line the bottom of the can with a few layers of newspaper to absorb any leaks.
Then, place a scented dryer sheet under the trash can liner to neutralize odors and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
Revitalize Your Dishwasher with Vinegar
If your dishwasher is starting to emit an unpleasant odor, give it a natural refresh by running a cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar instead of detergent. Vinegar is antibacterial and works wonders to deodorize the machine. To maintain a fresh scent, consider rinsing off your plates before loading them, especially if you don’t run your dishwasher frequently.
Add Citrus Zest to Your Garbage Disposal
Combat a smelly garbage disposal with a quick and easy trick. Turn on the disposal and drop in the peel of a lemon or orange for an instant citrus refresh.
Utilize Activated Charcoal Filters
Incorporate small activated charcoal filters in spaces like gym bags, closets, diaper pails, garbage cans, and litter boxes. Activated charcoal naturally absorbs odors and moisture, keeping your belongings and spaces smelling consistently fresh.
Create a Simmer Pot for a Homey Scent
If you want to fill your entire home with a delightful aroma quickly, try making a simmer pot. Simmer a mixture of herbs and spices, such as thyme and lemon slices, in a pot of water. This simple method will infuse your home with a welcoming scent, perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere.
Refresh Upholstered Furniture and Curtains with Vodka
Reach for a bottle of inexpensive vodka from your liquor cabinet to rejuvenate dingy-smelling sofas or curtains. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted vodka and lightly mist it over the fabric.
Vodka, known for its natural deodorizing and disinfecting properties, will lift away odors, keeping your furniture smelling fresh between more thorough cleaning sessions.
Bathroom Air Freshener
- Baking Soda Odor Absorber: Place a small bowl of baking soda on an upper shelf in your bathroom. This simple trick helps absorb odors without introducing any chemical fragrances.
- Toilet Paper Tube with Essential Oil: Enhance the freshness in your bathroom by adding a natural scent to your toilet paper. Just put a few drops of essential oil on the cardboard tube inside the toilet paper roll. As the roll turns, it releases a pleasant aroma, creating a subtly scented environment.
Lemon Air Freshener
- Baking Soda and Lemon Mist: Make a refreshing mist by dissolving half a cup of baking soda in two cups of very hot water. Add a quarter cup of lemon juice to the mix and pour it into a misting spray bottle. This DIY spray provides a clean and citrusy fragrance, perfect for sprucing up the air in your bathroom.”
