You don’t have to rely on chemical- laden plug-in air fresheners to purify your home. Instead, use one of these 8 ways to naturally kill bad odors such as those from pets and cigarettes.
Orange Peel, Cinnamon, and Clove
Use fresh orange and spices to create a warm, welcoming scent that will fill your home. In a small saucepan combine 2 cups of water, 1 fresh orange peel, 1 stick of cinnamon, and 3-4 whole cloves. Simmer over low heat, but be sure to keep an eye on the amount of water in the pan and add more as needed.
Secret Ingredient: Vodka
Finally, you can make a homemade air freshener strong enough to combat even the smelliest shoe stench that may fill a room or closet. In a spray bottle, add 3 cups of water, 1 cup of vodka, and 10-20 drops of an essential oil such as eucalyptus or lavender. Use the spray in the offending rooms to clear up any yucky smells.
Clean Out A Disposal
After a while of flushing out food scraps, a garbage disposal can start to smell pretty bad. A simple solution is to add some ice to the disposal and grind it. Then, place a slice of lemon or lime in the disposal and turn it on for 20-30 seconds.
Tips for the Garbage Can
Sometimes bags slip, or people may accidentally throw something away in between taking out the trash and putting in a fresh trash bag. Wash the trash can with water and white vinegar to take care of those bad odors. If it’s not time to take out the trash yet, you can dump coffee grounds on top of the trash to help neutralize the smells.
Get Rid of the Popcorn Stench
Buttered popcorn can stick around for a while in microwaves. Encourage the smell to leave by microwaving a small bowl filled with water and a few lemon slices. Boil the water in the microwave and leave it to sit and steam for 15 minutes. Take out the bowl, and be sure to leave the microwave door open for at least an hour to air it out.
Clean Up the Carpet
Pets and even food spills can cause damage to carpet, and because of the fibers, those odors tend to stick around even longer than they would in the kitchen or bathroom. Deodorize carpet or a rug by sprinkling on baking soda to the affected area. Leave it to set for 30 minutes then vacuum it up.
Clear out Pet Urine Odor
Pets have accidents sometimes but don’t worry if they do. There is a way to get rid of the pungent smell. Blot the area with a paper towel first then use a spray (3 parts water and 1 part vinegar) to further blot the area with a paper towel. You can use this spray until the odor is gone.
Other ways to help continually prevent bad odors in some areas of your home include using baking soda in areas such as the fridge or trash can or you can use cotton balls soaked in vanilla to provide a sweet aroma. Before using some of these methods, you may want to conduct a spot test so you don’t cause damage to your home.
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