No matter how careful you are, your house is always going to emit its own smell. Most smells are nothing more than homely fragrance; others are outrightly offensive, especially to those with a very strong sense of smell. Overtime, most people get so used to the odor that, the pervading smell becomes almost non-existent to them. Your home is supposed to be your heaven, away from the torments of exhaust fumes and all other forms of air pollution. But coming home after a hard day’s job and having to deal with these unpleasant smells is truly not an option, and let’s be honest, there’s no turn off as worse as visiting a home that is beautiful on the outside but stinks on the inside.
One of the best ways to remove odors in your home is to first remove its source. By maintaining a clean, hygienic environment, you can erase the source of unpleasant odors rather than the temporary solution of masking it with pleasant ones. Start by throwing your windows open as often as possible to let the air flow in. Fresh air quickly and naturally removes airborne odors like those from cigarette smoke and cooking. Then get rid of stale food or fruits in the fridge or kitchen, as the smell is quick to settle on walls and other surfaces. Finally use a bin bag for your trash and throw away as soon as it is full. Afterwards, follow these natural remedies for getting rid of odors:
Fridge & freezer: For a place that should contain your water and fruits, the fridge can harbor a lot of germs and a stale smell. The smell has the tendency to settle on your food and water, giving it an after taste. To prevent that, clean your fridge and leave it open for a while, after which you place cotton balls soaked in lemon juice in your fridge for several hours. You can also place a small dish of ground coffee inside the fridge to let it absorb the smell.To remove unpleasant odors from your freezer, empty and defrost the freezer. Once all the ice has melted, wash all surfaces with soap and warm water. Then, use a mixture of ¼ cup of baking soda in about 1 litre of water to wipe all surfaces thoroughly. Place a dish of baking soda in the freezer once everything has been wiped dry.
Microwave: Ever wondered how to deal with the smell of a thousand meals that hits you every time you open your microwave or oven, making you wonder how hygienic it really is? Well, worry no more. Squeeze half a lemon into 2 cups of water and place into the microwave on high power till it boils. Leave for five minutes and wipe down the microwave surfaces with a soft, absorbent cloth and leave the door open to air out. This will leave your microwave fresh and clean. Be careful not to use any chemical solvent to clean your microwave, as it proves to be a health hazard when exposed to intense heat.
Drains: Kitchen drains are the easiest smells to remove but often the most ignored. Simple put a slice of lemon at the edge of the drain and pour hot water right through it and into the drain. Lemons are a natural drain deodorizer and its fragrance lingers for a long time. Baking soda is also very effective in cleaning out your drain. Leaving a slice of lemon in the ring of your sink will also make that smell that emanates from your sink, a thing of the past.
Garbage Cans: Your trash cans are always a good place to concentrate your de-stinking activities because they often contain rotting food. To combat trash smells, cut a lemon into two pieces and throw at the base of the can before you place the bin-bag. Sprinkling a few table spoons of baking soda on top of your trash will keep the offensive smell contained because the alkali nature of the baking soda helps absorb odours.