Even the most well-kept homes can get stinky from time to time. Whether it’s odor from a particularly pungent meal, dirty socks, a smelly pet, or spills that have seeped into the carpet or furniture, sometimes things just…stink! Sure, you can cover the smell with Febreeze or similar products, but usually, that just ends up smelling like the offensive odor plus flowers, or whatever scent of Febreeze you have. Suffice it to say, that’s not the goal when trying to rid your house of foul smells. Check out these creative ways to freshen up just about any area of your home!
Kool-Aid Dishwasher Cleaner
You might not think to clean the dishwasher out since it’s the thing that cleans other things. There’s constant soap and water running through the machine, so why would you need to clean it, right? Well, often times food particles get stuck in the nooks and cranies, creating a less than desireable odor. Plus, depending on how hard the water in your area is, there can be lime build up as well as other stains.
The easiest way to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, is to grab a packet of lemon Kool-Aid and empty it into the detergent spot on your dishwasher. Run the dishwasher while empty, and then wipe everything down once the cycle ends. Get more info here!
Eucalyptus in the Shower
One of the easiest ways to freshen up the bathroom daily, is to grab a few sprigs of fresh eucalyptus and hang them from the showerhead. The steam from the shower will open up the leaves, allowing the oils and natural, refreshing scent of eucalyptus to fill the room!
Essential Oil in Toilet Paper Roll
This is brilliant and so very simple. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the inside of the cardboard toilet paper roll to keep the area by the toilet smelling fresh. I think we can all agree the bathroom is one area that can use all the help it can get! Some suggestions for essential oils include: lemon, tea tree, peppermint, or lavender.
Dry Shampoo in Shoes
Who doesn’t have a few stinky shoes in their closet? This is especially true if you have kids in sports or if you visit the gym frequently. Of course, and shoe has the potential to be smelly, so this is a good trick to have on hand! Once you clean the shoes out, spray a protective layer of dry shampoo before putting the shoe on. It will help keep your feet from sweating, as well as soak up any odors!
DIY Air Purifier
Need to freshen up a large area like your living room or basement? Try this DIY air purifier! You’ll need a box fan (20 inch blade), a 20×20 high performance air filter, and 1 big rubber-band. Simply attach the filter to the box fan with the rubber-band, making sure the arrow for air flow is pointing in the right direction, and turn on the fan. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the filter to circulate that clean smell around the room!
Oats in Fridge
The fridge can be one of the biggest problem areas, at least in my house. The back of the fridge sometimes turns into a graveyard of forgotten leftovers, which leaves a particularly unpleasant scent, even after the offending dishes have been cleared out. However, one quick and easy way to eliminate odors in the fridge is to place a bowl of oats inside. The oats will soak up the bad smells, effectively neutralizing the stinky threat!
Lemon & Vinegar Ice Cubes
Garbage disposal smelling like…well, garbage? Try this easy hack! Place some thinly sliced lemon peels into an ice cube tray and fill with vinegar. Once the cubes are frozen, place a few directly into your garbage disposal. Let them melt overnight, and then run the disposal to grind up the lemon peels. The vinegar gets the smell out, and the lemon covers the vinegar scent in a nice, citrusy smell instead!
Newspaper in Trashcan
Another common problem area is the trashcan. It’s no secret why this item often gets smelly. You can help prevent stinky garbage by placing old, folded up newspapers at the bottom before putting the trash bag inside. The papers absorbs odors, as well as soak up any leaks! This is so easy, and yet so useful to know. I wish I would have thought of this sooner!