Here are quick remedies for unwanted odors:
Cook’s Tricks
- To absorb the pungent odor of foods like fish, place a small bowl filled with white vinegar on the stove while cooking.
- If food from a bubbling casserole spills over the stovetop, sprinkle salt on the drips to absorb the burning smell while the dish is still cooking.
- To deodorize a musty-smelling freezer, fill a clean sock with dry coffee grounds and place it inside.
Garbage Patrol
- Wash indoor and outdoor trash cans with hot, soapy water to remove smelly bits of debris. After cleaning, place a roll of new bags in the bottom. You’ll have them at hand when you need them, so the cans won’t get stinky again.
- Leave a couple of used fabric softener sheets in the bottom of your kitchen trash can to absorb odors.
Pet Primping
- Guests are just about to arrive and you suddenly notice your pooch or kitty smells a bit gamy. For a quick fix (until bath time), lightly sprinkle fur with baking soda, rub in, and then brush out.
Bathroom Fresheners
- To deodorize the toilet, pour 1 cup household vinegar into the bowl and let it stand for at least five minutes. Scrub and flush.
- For a quick air deodorizer, dab essential oil (cinnamon or orange) onto cotton balls; place them in a small bowl on a shelf.
Carpet Cures
- To quickly deodorize a smelly rug, sprinkle a box of baking soda over it and let it settle into the fibers for 30 minutes, then vacuum up.
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