courtesy: hideme.io
Guests visiting a home may overlook clutter or outdated decor, but they will definitely be turned-off by unpleasant odors. Over time, a homeowner may not even be aware of them anymore. If you are not sure that your house passes the “sniff” test, ask a family member or neighbor to give you an honest opinion. Odors in the home do not necessarily point to uncleanliness. Cooking, pets, moisture, dirty laundry and spills may all be contributing factors. As a hostess, you’ll likely want too make your home inviting for guests. If your house is on the market, it’s even more critical to ensure that potential buyers are not turned-off by odors.
If the source of the odor is your trash, emptying the trash more often or getting a more secure trash can may be the solution. Similarly, an odor caused by dirty laundry may mean having to do your laundry more often. Baking soda is a great product for absorbing all types of odors. Sprinkle a box on smelly carpeting and leave for 30 minutes before vacuuming to freshen. Add half a lemon plus half a cup of baking soda to the garbage disposal and then run the disposal to deodorize it. After tossing out overdue food from your fridge, wipe down the inside with hydrogen peroxide and then leave an open box of baking soda inside to prevent food odors.
Dried coffee grounds can also be used to neutralize odors. Half fill a clean sock with the dried grounds and leave it in your freezer to prevent freezer odors. Or put the dried grounds in your trash can to deodorize it. To take care of leftover food smells in the kitchen or the microwave, fill a bowl with 1-2 cups of water, add a whole chopped lemon and half a teaspoonful of a spice like cloves or cinnamon. Bring the water to a boil on the stove or in the microwave. Leave the bowl to stand for about an hour.
Some odors may require the use of a commercial product. A musty smell in the basement will be reduced by leaving open containers of activated charcoal there and also running a dehumidifier. Pet odors can be eliminated by using Odorzout, a dry, granular product which is 100% natural and not harmful to children or animals. In the cold months, the air in many homes is recycled over and over again. Scented candles or air fresheners are fine for occasional use, but opening the windows for a few minutes, when possible, is a great way of getting rid of stale air and allowing fresh air into your home. If these suggestions are not effective, the problem may be more complex and you’ll need to seek the advice of a professional.