Experts believe the easy hack is surprisingly effective in tackling one common issue
(Image: Getty)
Homeowners with lingering food smells can tackle the issue with various methods. However, according to an expert, one low-cost hack will quickly do the trick. Joyce French, cleaning expert at HomeHow.co.uk, said simply leaving a bowl of vinegar out overnight will be sure to banish any bad odours in your home without having to use harsh chemicals.
The white vinegar solution is great for eliminating alkaline odours and making them less noticeable. Vinegar also has antibacterial properties that can help stop odour-causing bacteria in their tracks. To get rid of persistent cooking odours, Joyce suggests leaving small bowls of vinegar in a room overnight.
She also suggests simmering them with water on the stove. For those worried that the smell of vinegar may take over, Joyce said it will quickly disappear along with the offending smells it’s tackling.
The cleaning pro also said apple cider vinegar is a trusty tool to have at home to help solve offensive odours. The solution, which has slightly sweeter undertones, can be used on curtains or upholstery by misting them with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water. This will combat odours without damaging the colour of delicate fabrics or leaving a chemical residue.
If you want to avoid liquids, fresh herb bundles of rosemary, thyme, and mint can help improve the smell around the home and help with closures when small bundles are hung in wardrobes or placed in drawers to keep clothes smelling fresh, reports the Express.
Simmering the peels of fruits like oranges and lemons in a pot on the stove is another great way to get your home smelling its best. It also leaves a lovely fresh aroma.
Fresh rosemary bundles also helps with lingering smells(Image: Mint Images via Getty Images)
You can even combine them with white white vinegar to make your own natural cleaning solution with degreasing and antibacterial properties.
You need only put the peels in a large glass jar, submerge them in the vinegar, and let the mixture sit for about two weeks. This will allow the peels to infuse with the vinegar to produce an effective natural cleaning solution.
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Meanwhile, simmering a handful of herbs in water is said to be “ideal” for getting a fresher scent straight away.
A few drops of vanilla extract on cotton wool can also work wonders if you stash them in areas where bad smells accumulate or hide them in the corners of rooms where odours may accumulate. You may also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to an oven-safe dish and warm it at a low temperature for half an hour to make your home smell fragrant and fresh.
Joyce recommends various other methods for tackling stenches and improving the smell, including essential oils like lemon, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, and cedarwood. These oils can be used to refresh carpets and fabrics by adding five to ten drops to water in a spray bottle.
Baking soda can also be a great tool for seeing off smells as chemicals in the powder counteract the acids that cause bad odors and produce a compound that’s less odourous, the expert says.
It can be used in different ways, but on carpets, rugs, and mattresses, for example, all you need to do is sprinkle some on and leave it for an hour before vacuuming the power up.
In enclosed spaces like a fridge, you can also simply leave the powder in a vented jar until the smells have reduced or cleared.
Coffee grounds can also be used to soak up unpleasant pongs in the fridge by putting some in a bowl and leaving it inside for a few days. The expert says you can also use them on carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling some on and vacuuming them off after 15 minutes.
Joyce says houseplants are another thing to consider with particular types like peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants known to be particularly effective at removing airborne toxins and improving air quality in room lots of people use.
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Dining and Cooking