How to Eliminate Odors in Small Spaces

Even non-cat owners have a use for cat litter -- to remove odors.

If you notice an unpleasant odor in your closet, bathroom, storage room or other small space, don't spray room freshener to mask the odor, as the cure may be worse than the original smell. Instead, use a strategy to remove the odor from the area. After eliminating the odor, you can introduce a sweet smelling scent, if desired, using fragrant dried herbs, such as lavender or rose petals. Yet, use the new scent sparingly, as even pleasant smelling herbs can become overbearing in a small space.

Things You'll Need

• Fan
• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• Towel
• White distilled vinegar
• Cat litter
• Bowls

Instructions

1. Identify the cause of the unpleasant odor, and remove it. The smell may originate from a trash can, pile of dirty laundry, moldy carpet, urine stains, stinky tennis shoes or other source. Remove or clean the odor-causing source.

2. Bring in some fresh air. Air-out the area by opening the door, window or blowing some fresh air into the area using a fan.

3. Sprinkle baking soda on any carpet and upholstery in the area, and let it sit over night. Vacuum up the baking soda the next day.

4. Soak a towel with white distilled vinegar, wring it out, removing all excess liquid and then swing it around the area, like a rope. As you wave it through the air, it will help remove some odors.

5. Place bowls of fresh cat litter or white distilled vinegar in the area to absorb the unpleasant odors.

Tips & Warnings

• If the area is damp, mildew you can't see may be causing the smell.

References

• "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things"; Reader's Digest; 2005
• "The Allergy Sourcebook"; Merla Zellerbach and Vincent A. Marinkovich; 2000
• "How to Fix (Just About) Everything"; Bill Marken; 2002