By simply living within the home, unpleasant smells can cling to the interior of the house. This is particularly the case in spaces commonly used by the family. Neutralizing these odors doesn’t have to be a burden, though; there are plenty of ways that one can quickly get their home smelling fresh once again in both a natural and affordable way.
Get Rid of That Pungent Smell in the Kitchen Microwave
The strong stench of burned popcorn, or any other food that may get charred to the interior of a microwave, often seems impossible to eliminate. Though there are several natural methods to get rid of this, some work better than others. Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with a cup and a half of water along with three quartered lemons and a fragrant spice (both cinnamon and cloves work well). Bring it all to a boil in the microwave and allow to steam, enclosed, for an additional 15 minutes. Just like that, the smell is gone, and the appliance is smelling fresh!
Revive a Stinky Toilet
It’s no secret that this frequently used bathroom fixture is often in need of deodorizing, but this chore doesn’t have to be time consuming. Simply pour a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and leave it to sit for a minimum of five minutes — the longer, the better! Once you’ve allowed it to stand, scrub the area thoroughly with a toilet bowl brush and flush.
Prevent Fabric From Smelling After a Spill
Baking soda is a very inexpensive and effective way to absorb a spill on any fabric, including carpets, and neutralizing the odor it would have otherwise left behind. It can be applied to a wet stain once it has been gently blotted, in order to absorb any lingering moisture. Another benefit of baking soda is that when an opened box is left in a particularly unpleasant smelling area, or even sprinkled directly onto a pungent carpet and left for at least an hour, the powder will whisk away the troublesome smell along with it once it is vacuumed up.
Neutralize the Entire Home
Running your furnace throughout the cold months of the year causes the air filter to clog faster than it typically would in milder months. If there seems to be unpleasant scents refusing to disperse from the home, it may be time to check your HVAC system and have a professional service change out your air filter. Though it may sometimes appear that the air filter isn’t yet in need of a replacement, it’s always a good idea to double-check to help ensure the home continues to smell as nice as possible.
Day to day life can cause a home to attract unwanted smells. Neutralizing them naturally can sometimes feel like a chore, but it doesn’t have to be; there are many quick remedies to these odor problems that can often be accomplished with products kept within the home. Next time you have an unwanted scent creep in, just remember these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a fresher smelling house!
Image via Flickrby smile its shan [dailytexanonline.org]
