Homeowners told to leave small bowls of vinegar in a room overnight

If you want to eliminate bad smells from your house, there’s no need to use harsh chemicals, according to a cleaning expert – there’s lot of natural remedies that are easy and cheap to usebaking soda lemon and vinegar against blue background(Image: Getty Images)

There’s nothing worse than a foul odour in your home. Despite your best efforts, sometimes bad smells can linger inside, especially during this hot weather when food waste spoils a lot quicker.

While many of us will automatically reach for a chemical air freshener, there’s no need, according to one cleaning expert.

Here, Joyce French from HomeHow.co.uk explains some natural ways to eliminate those unwanted bad odours from your home:

Baking Soda

“Baking soda is one of the most effective natural cleaners to use in your home and is fantastic for eliminating odours. Whether you have an unwanted smell lingering in your kitchen bin, carpet, or furnishings that smell like pet hair, baking soda can be used to neutralise the smell,” she says.

“The chemicals in this powder counteract the acids that cause bad smells and produce a less odorous compound. How you use it depends on the type of odour you are looking to combat – for carpets, rugs, and mattresses, simply sprinkle it on, leave it to sit for an hour, and vacuum it up or for enclosed spaces such as a refrigerator, you can leave it to sit in a vented jar.”

White Vinegar

The natural acidity of white vinegar can neutralise alkaline odours safely and effectively, making them far less potent, Joyce explains. “Vinegar also has antibacterial properties that can help to eliminate odour-causing bacteria.

“Leave small bowls of vinegar in a room overnight or simmer with water on the stove to eliminate any cooking odours. The smell of the vinegar itself will quickly disappear and take the original odours with it, leaving nothing but fresh, clean air.”

Fresh Coffee Grounds

The rich, bold aroma of freshly brewed coffee is a delight to many, but the coffee grounds left behind can also serve as an effective natural odour absorber too, Joyce explains. “Coffee grounds contain natural compounds that can absorb and neutralise smells, and their porous nature allows them to trap various odour-causing particles in the air.

“A common spot for unpleasant smells to accumulate is the refrigerator, but this can be quickly refreshed with coffee grounds by placing them in a small bowl and setting this inside for a few days, allowing them to absorb the odour. They can also be sprinkled across carpets or upholstered furniture and left to sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming to remove both the coffee grains and the absorbed odours.”

Citrus Peels

“Citrus peels contain natural oils that can freshen the air and neutralise unpleasant smells without the need to use any harsh chemicals. Simmering the peels of fruits such as oranges and lemons in a pot on the stove can leave your kitchen smelling wonderfully fresh,” Joyce says.

They can also be combined with white vinegar to form a fantastic natural cleaning solution with degreasing and antibacterial properties, she adds. All you need to do is place the peels in a large glass jar and submerge them in the vinegar. “Let the mixture sit for about two weeks to allow the peels to infuse with the vinegar and work their cleaning magic.”

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar works similarly to white vinegar but has a slightly sweeter underlying scent, which many find more pleasant, Joyce explains. “Its acidic nature helps to break down alkaline-based odour molecules, while its absorbent properties trap and eliminate foul smells.

“For a quick freshen up of curtains or upholstery, mist over with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water. This will effectively combat any odours without leaving a chemical residue or causing colour damage to delicate fabrics.”