How to Get Rid of Smells in My Home

How to Get Rid of Smells in My Home thumbnail
A smelly house isn't very inviting to guests.

Even when your house is clean, smells from the kitchen, bathroom or other sources can make it smell and feel dirty. Determining the source of the smell is the first priority as you work toward successfully neutralizing smells and deodorizing your home. Many air fresheners only cover the smell without really getting rid of it. Supplies often found in the home help you achieve a home that looks and smells clean by removing household odors. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum
  • Bucket
  • Disinfectant cleaner
  • Clean cloths
  • Pot
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp. whole cloves
  • Cotton balls
  • Vanilla extract
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Vacuum floors, carpet and upholstered furniture to remove odor-causing substances such as pet hair, dirt and surface stains.

    • 2
      Keep the house clean to prevent odors from developing.
      Keep the house clean to prevent odors from developing.

      Mix a few capfuls of disinfectant cleaner with 1 gallon hot water in a bucket. Wash the kitchen to remove odor-causing grease and food stains on appliances and countertops. Clean the bathroom to remove mildew and grime that contribute toward unpleasant odors. If anyone in the home smokes, wash walls and other hard surfaces in the room with the disinfectant cleaning solution.

    • 3
      Simmering spices freshen the air.
      Simmering spices freshen the air.

      Fill a pot two-thirds of the way with water. Bring the water to a boil, and drop in a few broken cinnamon sticks and 1 tsp. whole cloves. Reduce the water to a simmer, and allow the mixture to naturally freshen and deodorize your home.

    • 4

      Dampen cotton balls with vanilla extract. Drop a cotton ball behind large pieces of furniture or in closets to absorb unpleasant room odors.

Tips & Warnings

  • Open windows to freshen the air in your home and remove odors.

  • Substitute orange or lemon slices for the spices simmering in water.

  • Change cat-litter boxes frequently to prevent cat-box odor in the home.

  • Use trash cans and diaper pails with tight-fitting lids to prevent unpleasant odors from filling the air.

Related Searches:

References

Resources

  • Photo Credit Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Blue Jean Images/Photodisc/Getty Images

Comments

Related Ads

Featured