Your home should be a place where you can feel comfortable and relaxed, but this can be difficult if you have bad odors that linger. Even if you have become ‘nose blind’ to these odors, they will often indicate that something is wrong and that bacteria is present, so you will need to address this promptly. However, before you can deal with any bad odors that may be infiltrating your home, you will need to identify and address the source. Thankfully, there are many ways that you can keep your home smelling fresh. Here are 5 tips to do so.
Kitchen Trash Bin
The first step to keeping your kitchen bin clean and odorless is ensuring that you throw the contents away into your outdoor bin at least once a week. The smell comes from the decomposition of all the things you have thrown away, which then starts to produce gases and chemicals. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get, and the more harmful organisms and bacteria will grow.
In addition to ensuring that you regularly dispose of any trash in your bin, regular cleaning will keep it smelling fresh, disinfected, and sanitary. Lemon-scented products make for great bin cleaners, and adding a dash of baking soda after cleaning will help absorb any leftover smells.
Refrigerator
Another common culprit for bad odors in your home is the refrigerator. Leftover fruit, vegetables, meat, and even condiments will start to smell foul if left in your refrigerator for a long time, not to mention the number of germs and bacteria they will attract.
Generally, you should be aiming to clean out your refrigerator around once a month. Throw away any food items that are past their prime and briefly remove other products to clean. Remove the drawers, soak them in hot, soapy water and mix a drop of dish soap and vinegar to wipe down the inside of the appliance.
Drains
Kitchen and bathroom sinks can produce some of the worst smells around our home if they are not properly maintained. This is due to a buildup of food, soap, grease, and other grime that then starts to attract bacteria.
There are several drain-unblocking products found in stores that simply require you to pour them down the drain and leave them to work their magic. and follow with hot water. Or, for a more cost-effective and eco-friendly solution, you can achieve the same effect with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
Deep Clean Regularly
Keeping your home smelling fresh is not only about masking bad odors but also eliminating them. Regularly giving your home a deep clean, including all of those hard-to-reach areas, reduces not only bad odors but also clutter and pollutants that can trigger certain allergies.
Wiping down every area in your home should become a monthly habit to create a healthy environment that is free of bacteria, debris, dirt, and dust. The first step is to declutter each area, and then you can begin to dust all surfaces, clean appliances, mop hard floors, clean windows, etc. Some popular fragrances for cleaning products include clean cotton, pine, lemon, and spiced apple.
Control Moisture and Ventilation
Moisture can create an uncomfortable environment in your home and impact not only your possessions but, more importantly, your health. Overly humid air can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can lead to bad odors and health risks.
It is important to keep moisture and humidity under control by using appliances such as a dehumidifier or simply opening the windows and letting the fresh air in. Opening your windows every day will allow your home to rid itself of toxins and bacteria, which will help eliminate bad odors and stuffiness.
Utilize Scented Products
There are several items that you can buy to make your home smell amazing. As previously discussed, masking bad odors is not the solution, but incorporating scented candles, sprays, incense, and plugins can really elevate your home fragrance to the next level.
You can choose from floral, sweet, soapy and fruity scents to bring a beautiful aroma into your home – which you choose is a matter of personal taste. It is best, however, to stick to products with the same or complementary scents to avoid being stifled by too many different smells.
Simmer Fruit and Herbs on the Stove
Aside from using artificial scents, you can make your home smell great in a natural way by using items you would normally associate with cooking to create a potpourri. Fill a pot with water and mix in your favorite herbs, adding items such as citrus slices, cinnamon, lavender or mint for scent.
Boil the water and allow the herbs to simmer, and the beautiful scent will soon flow throughout your home. Changing the ingredients will alter the fragrance that is produced, and this is a very versatile method for finding the scent you prefer for your home, so try experimenting!
Final Thoughts
Once any underlying issues and causes of bad odors are addressed, you can keep your home smelling wonderfully fresh with just small steps on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
If odors persist after following all these steps, it could be that there is a more deep-rooted issue that needs addressing, and it may be worth calling a professional to help identify and rectify the problem.