Natural Ways to Eliminate Odors in Your Home

 

You can’t ignore the lingering unpleasant odor from yesterday’s cooking or your damp closet.

A fresh scent makes the home welcoming and lifts energy. At the same time, a musty odor can be
a sign of mold growth.

Instead of using fresheners, there are natural ways to remove odors from the home. This blog covers types of odors with targeted natural remedies to address the root cause.

Let’s find out how to create a fresh-scented space naturally.

Table of Contents

• Natural Ways to Banish Kitchen Odors for Good
• Odor Removal Tips to Freshen Up Your Bathroom
• Natural Fixes for Basements and Closets
• How to Eliminate General Household Odors Naturally
• Quick Review: How to Remove the Odor From Your Home Naturally
• 3 Extra Tips for Maintaining a Fresh Home
• Conclusion

 

Natural Ways to Banish Kitchen Odors for Good

During cooking or frying foods, the volatile compounds are released, spreading the smell all over. Kitchen odors also stem from dirty drainage, grease buildup, or food waste in bins. It is because of the bacterial buildup in unclean areas. The spoiled food in the fridge also attracts bacteria and amplifies the smell.

Worry not and make the following efforts to banish the kitchen odors.

• Boil citrus peels: Simmer citrus fruits like oranges and lemons to neutralize the odor. You can rub them on the countertops or leave a bowl of lemon slices to freshen up the atmosphere.
• Mist Vinegar: Spray diluted vinegar on surfaces to eliminate grease odor. You can also add vinegar to remove garlic smell from aprons during laundry.
• Coffee Grounds: For coffee lovers, placing the sachets of coffee grounds in the fridge can be a great way to get rid of unwanted smells.
• Sprinkle Baking Soda: Leave an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator. Or, spray the solution on the counters and smelly bins.

To clean the foul-smelling drains, add baking soda followed by vinegar and then flush with hot water. Always keep the surfaces and trash cans clean. What else, place houseplants in the kitchen to add a pleasant fragrance all the time.

 

 

Odor Removal Tips to Freshen Up Your Bathroom

The pesky shower and sewage from drains are the main sources of bathroom odors. If your bathroom smells musty, it is due to excess humidity and poor ventilation. These conditions trap moisture and promote fungal or bacterial growth.

You need to try the natural odor eliminators listed below:

• Vinegar: Mix vinegar and water in equal proportions to spray it on the tiles and showers.
• Baking soda: Place a bowl of baking soda on the shelf to absorb the smell. Or, make a paste and scrub on the grout.
• Charcoal or Tea bags: Buy charcoal or tea bags and hang them in your bathrooms.
• Eucalyptus leaves: Place them above the toilet.

 

 

Natural Fixes for Basements and Closets

Your basement smells musty because of the excess dampness due to leakage or poor ventilation. Humidity allows mold and mildew to grow and leave spores in the air.

So, the solution is to reduce the humidity in basements and closets. Here is what you can do:

• Place open boxes of activated charcoal to absorb the trapped moisture.
• Use baking soda as a natural odor absorber in the basement.
• Store the clothes in the closet with a sachet of dried herbs or coffee grounds for dehumidifying.
• Place natural wool bowls in the closet for a clean scent.
• Wash and dry the affected items in the sunlight.
• Use non-toxic and low-maintenance houseplants (e.g., snake plants) for natural purification.

To prevent future mold growth, you might have to seal the concrete walls of basements with waterproof coatings.

 

 

How to Eliminate General Household Odors Naturally

Besides the odors coming from kitchens or bathrooms, there are so many other sources.

For example, the trash in the garbage or clogged drains produces foul-smelling gases. Your closets containing damp outfits or gym shoes may produce stinky odors. Not to forget the stuffy smell from bedding due to sweat buildup. They all contribute to a stale smell, especially in closed homes with poor circulation.

To cure the staleness, use scent diffusers with natural oils like peppermint. Either add oils to a diffuser or mix a few drops of oil with water and sprinkle it in the air. The best natural remedy is using baking soda in trash cans, shoes, and rugs. It will neutralize the bad odors in 20 minutes.

Let’s discuss more sources of household smells other than foot funk-boxes or garbage.

 

Eliminate Pet-Related Odors Naturally

Stinky pet odors, often caused by embedded fur or urine in fabrics, can make the air unbreathable. Pet owners can try these natural ways to remove the smell.

Firstly, clean the pet’s bedding with some baking soda. White vinegar can also be used in areas where they spend a lot of time. For this, sprinkle the solution (equal parts of vinegar and water) on carpets, curtains, and upholstery. Let it absorb the smell and then vacuum.

The ammonia waste in the litter boxes creates a foul smell. So you can consider buying litter with activated charcoal. Place pet-safe houseplants (e.g, peace lilies or snake plants) near the pet house to naturally filter the air.

 

 

Natural Neutralization for Smoke and Chemical Odors

Smoking or burning leaves produces tiny particles of tar residues that make a strong, lingering odor. Cleaning products also leave a pungent odor as they cling to surfaces or fabrics after being volatized into the air.

The solution? Mist a lemon water spray on the surfaces or boil the lemon peels. You can also use white vinegar, as the acidity will break down the tar particles. Place the bowls to absorb the fumes and leave a fresh scent.

You can also use activated charcoal bags near the smoke source. Or, use bowls of fresh coffee grounds or tea bags in the drawers or cabinets around the home. What’s more, clean the fabric and air ducts.

If the smell persists, clean the walls and ceilings with a vinegar solution or replace the upholstery.

 

 

Quick Review: How to Remove the Odor From Your Home Naturally

Method	Kitchen Odors	Bathroom Odors	Pet-Related Odors	Musty or Moldy Odors in Basements and Closets	Smoke and Chemical Odors	General Household Odors
Baking Soda	✓	✓	✓	×	×	✓
White Vinegar	✓	✓	×	×	✓	×
Lemon and Citrus	✓	×	×	×	✓	×
Coffee Grounds	×	×	×	✓	×	✓
Activated Charcoal	×	×	✓	✓	×	×
Houseplants	×	×	✓	✓	×	×
Tea Bags	×	✓	×	×	✓	×

 

3 Extra Tips for Maintaining a Fresh Home

Keeping the house clean reduces the possibility of health issues and keeps the air clean. As a homeowner or tenant, these chemical-free techniques are also worth considering.

• Deep Clean: Regularly clean the floors, shelves, appliances, and furniture to remove odor-causing filth. Don’t allow the dirty or sweaty laundry to accumulate excessively.
• Use Essential Oils: Applying essential oil diffusers or cotton balls with oils in closets or drawers can introduce a nice scent each time you use them.
• Control Humidity: A dehumidifier will function best in taking moisture out of the air. Operate exhaust fans and leave doors open to remove the humid air. Seal any leaks and keep downspouts clear.

All the above methods help control odor, but not a standalone solution to improve indoor air quality. You may need to take a step further and
seek air purifiers. They work both directions, eliminating foul smell while cleaning indoor air.

 

Conclusion

Regardless of the kind of household odor, there are sustainable and natural ways to eliminate home odors. Even when you fry fish or have pets at home, your house will be fresher and healthier.

To enhance the quality of indoor air, you may search for up-to-date air purifiers. They not only absorb foul odor but also clean the air from all types of harmful substances. Visit Dreame to learn about the latest devices designed to clean the air.