As one of the first things a visitor to your home will detect, lingering bad odors are not desirable, and although they may be hard to avoid, you should always try your best to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, there are some simple ways to eliminate 3 of the most offending home odors: the kitchen garbage can, the garbage disposal, and carpets, and here’s how:
1. Refreshing your garbage can
Even if you regularly empty the trash can in your kitchen, it’s not unusual for smells to continue emanating from it, and they are always far from pleasant. Sometimes, it isn’t what you throw into the trash can, it’s the can itself. Whether food and liquids have leaked through the bag, or food has missed the bag completely as it has been thrown in, once residue has leaked into the can, it will soon start to rot and smell unpleasant.
Fixing this problem is as simple as washing the trash can, inside and out, at least once a week, or more often if needed. Dish soap and water should suffice, although some tough stains or hardened food debris may require a degree of scrubbing to get rid of them completely. Just remember to dry the can thoroughly before replacing the bag so that moisture doesn’t get trapped and make the problem worse.
2. Cleansing the garbage disposal
Garbage disposals are incredibly convenient, but it’s all too easy for them to become dirty, unhygienic and downright smelly if not cleaned on a regular basis. With a number of cracks for moisture to get trapped in, mold and mildew can quickly form and create a stink. As well as the moisture, food particles can also become trapped and start rotting.
Begin by wiping down the top and bottom of the rubber seal that’s located in the sink button, before moving on to the garbage disposal itself. For this task, you can use affordable, pantry essentials: white vinegar and baking soda. Firstly, pour a ¼ of a cup of baking soda down the drain, before slowly pouring white vinegar down. The combination of ingredients will create a bubbling effect that shifts any stuck food particles and deodorizes the disposal unit.
3. Deodorizing your carpets
Carpets are exactly the kind of place where smells like to linger among the fabric fibers, especially if you have a particularly busy household, or pets. With a lot of foot traffic, and the occasional spillage, it’s little wonder that carpets harbor so much dirt, debris and dust, and if left untreated, can be responsible for a whole host of lingering bad odors.
While vacuuming regularly can help eliminate the source of some bad smells, most carpets will require thorough deodorizing. This can be done very simply by adding a mixture of vinegar and water to a spray bottle, and misting it over the carpet. If you wish, you can also try sprinkling some baking soda over the affected areas – leaving it to sit for a few hours before vacuuming – which should deodorize it naturally.
For more persistent pongs, you may need to hire a cleaning company to fully refresh and revitalize your carpets.
Of course, hiring a cleaning company can help keep your home smelling fresher for longer, as stains and moisture won’t have a chance to build up if cleaned professionally, and on a regular basis.
