Eliminating Pesky Household Odors

If you find yourself cleaning your home regularly, but you still have annoying odors lingering around…don’t panic it’s not as bad as you think. Even the cleanest homes can house odors that go unnoticed until they’re, well, noticeable. If this describes your current situation, and you have found yourself on one or more occasion trying to sniff the order out, we think it may be time for a new solution.

The stinky smells that are taking over your home are typically found in areas that don’t get a regular cleaning such as: the crevasses of cabinets, the inside of a kitchen or bathroom trash can, and of course the abandoned leftovers in the back of the refrigerator. Lucky for you, most common household odors can be fixed easily and with minimal effort. Keep reading for some simple tips to avoid bothersome odors in the future. After all, is your house truly clean if it doesn’t smell clean too?

Refrigerator

There are several different ways to make sure your refrigerator consistently has a clean and fresh smell. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is with common household food and pantry items such as coffee. Place a wide, shallow bowl of coffee grounds in your fridge or freezer, leaving it overnight to absorb odors.

if you’re not a big coffee fan, consider tea bags as a substitute. Place three to four around your refrigerator on a regular basis to prevent strange smells from occurring.

If it seems that your refrigerator has potent smell and is in need of a deep cleanse, try using a one. Simply empty the refrigerator out and wipe the interior, then rinse with warm water. This remedy will also work on an odorous cooler.

Trash Can

If your trash can has a lingering stench, start by replacing a fresh new bag with the old one and give the trash can a good wash and wipe down. Throw in a few rinds of lemon and orange or sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the bag for a fresh smell. This will act as a neutralizer and prevent stinks in your kitchen. Try this in your bathroom trash can as well.

Toilet

Dealing with toilet odor is never fun, but an easy d.i.y. toilet spray with all-natural essential oils is a great fix. You can prevent toilet odor from being an issue in the first place! Just spray it into the toilet before you go, to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean! Learn how to make it here.

Dishwasher

Does your dishwasher have a musty smell? Throw one cup of baking soda in the bottom of the washer and run it on the rinse cycle. If the smell still persist afterwards, sprinkle a few more tablespoons in the bottom to sit in the dishwasher between loads. No need to run the rinse cycle again. Prevent putrid smells from accumulating by adding half a cup of lemon juice to the detergent receptacle during each wash cycle.

Shower

If you notice an order in your bathroom, check to make sure you are not experiencing a ventilation issue. Every time you take a hot shower leave the bathroom door open to allow proper air flow into the room. A lack of ventilation can cause condensation buildup, leaving water on your walls and floors that could cause a mildew like odor.

Pet Smells

Your furry friends are cute, but the smell they bring in your house is not. Start by vacuuming your sofa and carpet. Pet fur can get embedded in fibers, and they can leave an awful and intolerable smell. Clean your furniture and spray the items with distilled white vinegar.

Let the vinegar sit for one to two hours and allow it to absorb the smell. Spray your furniture again, this time with a mixture of lemon extract and water to eliminate the vinegar smell.