There are so many chemical-based air fresheners that promise to make your home smell fresh all day, but do we really have to use them? Using simple ingredients found in your home and learning how to air out a room will not just save you money from buying air fresheners, but these methods are also safer.
How to Air Out a Room and Remove Popcorn Stench
Buttered popcorn smells wonderful, but the smell can stick around for a while in microwaves. Learn how to get food smell out of house with this simple tip.
Knowing what to boil to make house smell good can save you money, and you can be sure that you’re using organic ingredients. To do this, just microwave 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. Once done, take out the bowl, and leave the microwave door open for at least an hour to air it out.
Keeping Your Disposal Clean
After a while of flushing out food scraps, a garbage disposal can start to smell pretty bad. We surely don’t want that.
We have a simple solution to this dilemma.
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.
A Great Tip for the Garbage Bin
Sometimes bags slip, or people may accidentally throw something away in between taking out the trash and putting it in a fresh trash bag. This can cause the bin to stink.
Wash the trash bin 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 also sprinkle coffee grounds on top of the trash to help neutralize the smells.
Use Orange Peel, Cinnamon, and Clove
Why buy an orange-scented air freshener when you can use the real one? You can use fresh orange and spices to create a warm, welcoming scent that will fill your home.
To do this, combine 2 cups of water, 1 fresh orange peel, 1 stick of cinnamon, and 3-4 whole cloves in a small saucepan.
Simmer over low heat, but be sure to keep an eye on the amount of water in the pan and add more as needed.
For Cleaning Up Your Carpet
Pets and even food spills can cause damage to the carpet, and because of the fibers, those odors tend to stick around even longer than they would in the kitchen or bathroom.
So, here’s our pet odor eliminator home remedy for you.
Deodorize the carpet or a rug by sprinkling baking soda on the affected area. Leave it to sit for 30 minutes then vacuum it up.
Here’s Our Secret Ingredient: Vodka
You can make a homemade air freshener strong enough to be your favorite kitchen odor eliminator. Even the smelliest shoe stench that may fill a room or closet will be cleared.
Curious? Our secret ingredient is none other than vodka.
In a spray bottle, add 3 cups of water, 1 cup of vodka, and 10-20 drops of essential oil such as eucalyptus or lavender. Choose your most-loved essential oils for odor elimination as well.
Use the spray in the offending rooms to clear up any yucky smells.
Takeaway
Now that you know how to air out a room and combat tough smells, you will no longer have to ask, “Why does my house smell?”
As a bonus, here are other tips to try. Use 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.
Happy cleaning!
Sources: [American Grandparents Association, Farmer’s Almanac, Good Housekeeping]