You might have been in this situation before: the windows are sparkling clean, the floor’s spotless, and the furniture’s tidy. You did a flawless job cleaning your home; however, your nose tells you something’s not right.
The house looks fresh, but it doesn’t smell like it. The good news is that there are several ways to deal with foul smells—without masking them with commercial fresheners. Here are five household items that work as natural deodorizers.
Look for sources of smell first!
There are many overlooked places in your home where odors develop, and it’s best to tackle these foul smells before they spread. Look for these common sources of smell:
- Trash cans: Even after taking the trash, some spills from the bags can set in the bottom and stink up the can.
- Bathroom: Excessive moisture and fungi growth bring a musty smell.
- Garbage disposal: The blades can have stuck oil, grease, and pieces of food.
- Fridge: Expired items and spills cause the refrigerator to smell bad.
- Furniture: New sofas made with vinyl give a hint of chemical smells that can be unpleasant.
- Carpets: Spills, dirt, residue, and moisture could seep into the rugs and give off a bad smell.
- Closets: If you keep them closed most of the time, the poor circulation keeps odors inside.
- Bed linens: You leave natural oils on the linens daily, and if you don’t wash them frequently, they’ll have a strong smell.
If you find odors coming from more than one of these places, cleaning might be overdue. However, you could also use one of the following deodorizers to freshen up your home.
1. Baking soda
This household item is powerful and practical. It’s excellent for cleaning but also captures odor particles. Using baking soda as a deodorizer is as easy as sprinkling it on the surfaces you want to deodorize, from the carpet to the bottom of the trash can.
Besides, you can open a box of baking soda and leave it inside your fridge.
2. White vinegar
Vinegar can trap most smells in the air, so making a deodorizing simmer pot is an excellent, eco-friendly alternative to commercial fresheners.
To use this trick, boil 1 part vinegar and 1 part water on low heat for 15 minutes on your stove. It might smell strong at first, but no odors will be left once it dissipates.
3. Cat litter
Kitten litter traps urine’s moisture and seals any unpleasant smells, but it also works to absorb moisture inside your trash cans. The best thing is that you don’t have to buy premium litter; the affordable kind works great!
To prevent musty smells, sprinkle a scoop of kitten litter in the bottom of your trash cans and replace it once it’s moist enough.
4. Coffee grounds
If you love hot (or cold) coffee, the good news is that you can use the leftover grains to catch odors at home!
Coffee grounds activate when smell particles get close, neutralizing them while adding the rich aroma you enjoy. Put coffee inside a container with holes on the lid and place it in your bathroom, trash cans, and even the car to keep the smells at bay.
5. Vanilla extract
Perhaps you’re in the mood for something sweeter, so vanilla extract is the perfect alternative! To use its sweetness and get rid of bad smells, dip cotton balls in the extract and place them inside trash cans, the fridge, and the freezer.
Hire residential cleaning services in Washington DC
You can trust Think Maids whenever you need help with the chores. Our vetted professionals know how to clean your home thoroughly and with great attention to detail. Request your free quote here!