No matter what type of odor your home has, you can deodorize it. Follow this guide to identify and address the source of an odor in your home if you’re currently experiencing one. Try these tricks to make everything from the fridge to the sofa smell better after you’ve cleared out the obvious items (Fluffy’s litter box and last night’s fish dinner). Your nose will thank you.
Vacuum Regularly
First thing first. To keep your house feeling fresh, keep it clean. It is recommended to use a vacuum with HEPA filter to remove as much of the musty smell as possible, especially from your mattress and carpet.
Schedule a deep cleaning for your mattress and upholstery every three or six months if you can afford it. In addition to making your home fresh, it can also help reduce allergens (such as dust mites) in your home.
Freshen Your Fridge with Vanilla
For a refrigerator that smells better, we recommend dipping a cotton ball in vanilla extract. As soon as you’ve removed any potential sources of odors (check for moldy vegetables or sauce spills on the shelves), soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract and place it near the back of a shelf. There will be a warm vanilla scent permeating the fridge. You can use a cotton ball in two other ways to freshen up your home.
Deodorize the Kitchen Garbage Can
Your kitchen garbage can will smell funky from time to time, especially after you cook fish or forget to take it out. We have some tips: first, line the bottom of the can with newspaper to absorb any leaks. Under the trash can liner, place a scented dryer sheet to help neutralize any odors from food.
De-Stink the Dishwasher with Vinegar
In place of detergent, run a cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar if your dishwasher smells sour. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, and it will also deodorize the machine. If you don’t run your dishwasher frequently, rinse off your plates before loading them.
Make your garbage disposal smell like citrus
Do you have an odorous garbage disposal? It will be instantly citrus-flavored when you add a lemon or orange peel. Follow these steps to clean your sink and garbage disposal.
Charcoal Refreshes Everything
One of our tricks for deodorizing the stinkiest spots around the house: small activated charcoal filters. Charcoal naturally absorbs odors and moisture, keeping everything from your gym bag to your closet fresh. Especially good for diaper pails, garbage cans, and litter boxes.
Start a Simmer Pot
You can make your entire home smell amazing ASAP by mixing up a simmer pot, such as herbs and spices, can be simmered in water to fill your home with a delicious aroma. Combining spring herbs like thyme with fresh citrus, such as lemon slices, will produce a springtime version of this classic.
Freshen Musty Curtains and Couches
Your liquor cabinet likely contains a bottle of inexpensive vodka that can be used to fix dingy window treatments or upholstered sofas. Lightly mist the fabric with undiluted vodka in a spray bottle. The natural deodorizer and disinfectant properties of vodka will make your sofa smell fresh between more intensive cleaning sessions.
