What Stinks?

[Marilyn. 340]

You don't have to be an aromatherapy aficionado to know that smells have the ability to trigger strong emotions and associations. Baking bread can bring you back to the comfort of your grandmother's cottage while freshly cut grass can return you to childhood summer camp. Unfortunately, it also works in the other direction: a neglected garbage can under the sink may take your mind to the city dump on a hot day.

Walking through the door needn't be an assault on your olfactory organs. Preventing and eliminating odors can be achieved quickly, naturally and with stuff you probably already have around the house. And forget those fake-smelling canned air fresheners—you can do much better than that without spending a penny.

The Garbage Can

Is the garbage can frequently unpleasant and stinky? If so, throw a couple of dryer sheets into the bottom of the can to help keep odors at bay. Coffee grounds make the garbage smell a little more bearable, so when it really stinks toss grounds in the trash instead of saving them for the garden. A few scoops of cat litter will work, too.

We know cleaning the garbage can isn't the most satisfying of chores, but taking the hose to it will make it a little less gruesome.

The Carpet

Nothing traps odor more than your carpet. Ask a stranger to put their nose to your carpet and they'd probably be able to deduce that you have three dogs, a cat, and that someone in your house used to smoke.

Never fear, baking soda is here! Sprinkle the stuff liberally through a sieve and onto the carpet. Let it sit for a half an hour and then vacuum. For particularly smelly areas (like the spot where Spot relieved himself, twice) wet the area with warm water and a few drops of essential oil or white vinegar, and then sprinkle with baking soda. After the spot is dry, use the vacuum again.

The Freezer

Ever treat yourself to a scoop of ice cream only to discover that it tastes exactly like your freezer? We have all had this gross-out moment but it needn't happen again.

To eliminate freezer-stench in a jiffy, simply put a rolled-up newspaper in the freezer overnight. The paper will absorb any foul odors. (The newspaper method will also work on your cooler). If this doesn't do the job completely, pour a little vanilla extract onto a rag and wipe down the shelves.

The Fridge

Keeping a box of baking soda in the fridge is one of the best ways to absorb lingering leftover odors. Remember to change the box out every couple of months because it will stop working. If the smell really packs a punch, drastic measures must be taken. See if you can clear a rack of your fridge and sprinkle the baking soda onto a couple of plates or a cookie sheet. If this isn't possible, pour some into a few small dishes or into coffee filters and place them on every tier.

Cleaning the fridge is never fun but get in the habit of tossing out anything remotely suspicious regularly and you'll keep foul odors at a minimum. Do this at least weekly, ideally the night before the garbage is collected. That way those leftovers won't sit in the trash for too long.

When you go for the all-out clean (which we recommend at least every 3 months), combine equal parts white vinegar and warm water and go to town. If it really stinks, use it at its full strength. Vinegar is a great sanitizer and deodorizer.

The Sink

Nothing says rot like a few days of garbage disposal neglect. Who would have thought all those little orts could transform into such a giant stench?

First, run extremely hot water down the drain for a minute or two. (This will help flush out debris and is great for preventing clogs in your pipes.) Then, toss lemon and/or orange peels down the disposal and let it grind until it's all gone. You can find more strategies for a sweet-smelling disposal here.

The Whole House

If a funky smell has moved in and wants to stay, fight back with vinegar. Pour a little vinegar into a number of glass jars and place them throughout the house. Let them sit overnight and the odor should be gone by morning.

For that "I just baked cookies" smell, rub vanilla extract onto your light bulbs. When the lights are turned on the sweet aroma will float throughout the house.

Boil water and a few sticks of cinnamon on the stove for a half an hour. Citrus rinds, mint and cloves will also work.

Look into different essential oils. They smell lovely and can lift the mood, heal, even keep insects away. One of the best parts about essential oils is that you can mix them to create a personal combination based on the scents that most appeal to you.

Escape from Smell Hell

Even the cleanest people encounter foul odors around the house now and then. The good news is that these smells are easily destroyed with everyday household items rather than perfumed aerosols found at the grocery store. Baking soda and vinegar will clean and deodorize just about everything and anything. Tackling bad smells the natural way actually absorbs the odors instead of just covering them up. So, don't keep running from that funky stench; kill it off once and for all.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/homeandgarden/bej...6&gt1=10319

[trueimage 0]

Great tips! I remember once when my kids were small. We had went somewhere and they had gotten apples and candy. A few days letter I got into the car and it smelled soooo good! One of the kids had left an apple on the back dash and the sun had dried it and the whole car smelled sweet and fresh. Now, every now and then we throw an apple in the back dash to freshen the car. It won't rot because the sun dries it out before it rots.

[trueimage 0]

OH! I forgot, oranges work the same way, but I've never tried anything else. I'm sure just about any fruit could work.

[JODO 2]

Lemon rinds in the garbage disposal works well too for odors.

[Marilyn. 340]

Lemon rinds in the garbage disposal works well too for odors.

yeah, that is mentioned in the article

i might have to give that one a try... do you think limes would work.?.. I have a couple in the fridge...

i also might try the dryer sheets in the garbage can idea.. but they do they mean in the bag or under the bag??

[JODO 2]

Lemon rinds in the garbage disposal works well too for odors.

yeah, that is mentioned in the article

i might have to give that one a try... do you think limes would work.?.. I have a couple in the fridge...

i also might try the dryer sheets in the garbage can idea.. but they do they mean in the bag or under the bag??

Ahh missed it right under sink yea I don't see why limes would not work as well. Try it and let us know.

[Marilyn. 340]

Lemon rinds in the garbage disposal works well too for odors.

yeah, that is mentioned in the article

i might have to give that one a try... do you think limes would work.?.. I have a couple in the fridge...

i also might try the dryer sheets in the garbage can idea.. but they do they mean in the bag or under the bag??

Ahh missed it right under sink yea I don't see why limes would not work as well. Try it and let us know.

I want to try it now but I think it might be too early.. I don't want to disturb the neighbors

Edited August 25, 2007 by MarilynP

[Mags 112]

Oh and as this is a "natural" thread I'll just say that a little vinegar in water is the best thing you can use for getting windows gleaming. FAR better than any stuff you can buy at the store and less chemicals too.

Stick some in a squirty bottle and get cleaning!

In fact, vinegar and lemon juice are just about the best things to clean with anyway.

[Nancy2015 2]

Great tips, Marilyn!

A newspaper in the freezer is something I will try tonight, as soon as I come back from work.

[KarenCee 3]

The Garbage Can

Is the garbage can frequently unpleasant and stinky? If so, throw a couple of dryer sheets into the bottom of the can to help keep odors at bay. Coffee grounds make the garbage smell a little more bearable, so when it really stinks toss grounds in the trash instead of saving them for the garden. A few scoops of cat litter will work, too.

We know cleaning the garbage can isn't the most satisfying of chores, but taking the hose to it will make it a little less gruesome.

I've used carpet deodorizer in my garbage can. The dryer sheet...never thought of that for the garbage. I use dryer sheets in my drawers, freshens my clothes. Good ideas!

[Marilyn. 340]

tried the lime... the whole house smells limey now I just threw in the whole lime, of course I cut it up first

The Garbage Can

Is the garbage can frequently unpleasant and stinky? If so, throw a couple of dryer sheets into the bottom of the can to help keep odors at bay. Coffee grounds make the garbage smell a little more bearable, so when it really stinks toss grounds in the trash instead of saving them for the garden. A few scoops of cat litter will work, too.

We know cleaning the garbage can isn't the most satisfying of chores, but taking the hose to it will make it a little less gruesome.

I've used carpet deodorizer in my garbage can. The dryer sheet...never thought of that for the garbage. I use dryer sheets in my drawers, freshens my clothes. Good ideas!

I am still wondering if you put the dryer sheet in the garbage bag or at the bottom of the can...

[Carolyn 1]

Anyone have any ideas for cleaning burnt-on black stuff on the stovetop grates? My grates are a light gray porcelain and they seem to be impossible to clean.

My husband is a whirlwind in the kitchen...he is an amazing cook, but isn't real fond of "cleaning while you work," so I'm stuck with cleaning up gooky messes.

Any non-toxic tips appreciated!

[kitkat1 5]

I am still wondering if you put the dryer sheet in the garbage bag or at the bottom of the can...

In the bottom of the garbage can, then put the bag in.

Any citrus fruit in the garbage disposal (or a few drops in the drain if you don't have one) works well.