Discover expert advice and tricks from professionals with years of experience in maintaining a clean and fresh-smelling home. Unlock 10 valuable tips to keep your home in top shape.
Setting the Stage for Cleanliness
When it comes to creating a clean and fresh-smelling home, it’s important to start with the basics. This means addressing the root causes of odors and implementing strategies to maintain a clean and odor-free environment. According to cleaning experts like Rachel Hoffman and Donna Smallin, eliminating sources of moisture, regularly cleaning and maintaining household items, and incorporating natural odor-neutralizing methods are key to setting the stage for a clean and inviting home.
Moisture Control
One of the primary culprits of household odors is excess moisture. Rachel Hoffman emphasizes the importance of using a hygrometer to test the humidity level in each room and using a dehumidifier to address high humidity levels. Additionally, she recommends avoiding wall-to-wall carpeting or rugs in moisture-prone areas and using moisture-absorbing products in damp spaces like bathrooms and closets. By controlling moisture, you can prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause unpleasant odors in your home.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Donna Smallin advises regular cleaning and maintenance of household items to prevent odors from accumulating. This includes cleaning the inside of garbage cans, laundering pet beds, and scooping litter boxes daily. Additionally, she recommends regular maintenance of carpets, upholstery, and window covers to prevent odor-causing bacteria from lingering. By staying on top of cleaning tasks, you can ensure that your home remains fresh and odor-free.
Natural Odor-Neutralizing Methods
In addition to addressing the root causes of odors, it’s important to incorporate natural odor-neutralizing methods to keep your home smelling fresh. Melissa Maker suggests using activated charcoal filters, fabric refresher sprays with essential oils, and reed diffusers with natural scents to neutralize lingering odors without adding strong artificial fragrances. By using these natural methods, you can create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere in your home without overwhelming scents.
By implementing these strategies for moisture control, regular cleaning and maintenance, and natural odor-neutralizing methods, you can set the stage for cleanliness in your home and enjoy a fresh-smelling living environment.
Fresh-Smelling Solutions
1. Essential Oils and Diffusers
Using essential oils and diffusers is a popular way to add a pleasant scent to your home. Diffusers can be programmed to release the scent at specific times, and essential oils come in a variety of fragrances to suit your preferences. You can also create your own DIY fabric refresher spray using essential oils to keep your clothing and upholstery smelling fresh.
2. Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can help remove contaminants in the air, keeping your home smelling fresher without the need for added scents. Look for HEPA air purifiers that can deal with microscopic contaminants, including pet dander and even viruses.
3. Freshen up Your Garbage Disposal
Running lemons or lemon rinds through your garbage disposal can help keep the blades clean and disperse a fresh, citrusy scent throughout your kitchen.
4. Simmer Pot
A simmer pot is a natural deodorizer that uses a combination of good-smelling ingredients, such as fresh herbs or citrus, simmered in water on the stove to create a subtle but welcoming scent.
5. Reed Diffusers
Reed diffusers are a flame-free option for adding subtle fragrance to your home. By adding, removing, and flipping the reeds, you can control the intensity of the scent. Stick to more natural scents like woods, florals, and citrus for a longer-lasting and impactful result.
Remember, when using any scented products, be mindful of guests who may have allergies or sensitivities to strong smells.
Tackling Tough Spots
When it comes to tough spots in your home that are causing bad odors, it’s important to tackle them head-on to eliminate the source of the smell. Whether it’s a funky fridge, smelly carpets, or a musty bathroom, there are specific strategies you can use to combat these tough spots and keep your home smelling fresh.
Fridge Odors
One of the worst offenders for bad smells in the home is the fridge. To tackle tough fridge odors, start by doing a thorough clean-out of any expired or spoiled food. Then, give the interior of your fridge a deep clean using a mixture of hot water, white vinegar, and a drop of dish soap. Be sure to only use cleaners that are food-safe inside your fridge and avoid using bleach, as it can be difficult to properly dilute and rinse.
Carpet and Upholstery Odors
Carpets, throw pillows, upholstery, and other soft furnishings can trap bad smells and bacteria, leading to unpleasant odors in your home. To tackle tough carpet and upholstery odors, consider having a professional steam-clean your soft furnishings once a year. For smaller spills and stains, use an enzyme cleaner to break down bio messes, and regularly vacuum and spot-treat your carpets to prevent odors from lingering.
Bathroom Odors
Bathrooms are another tough spot when it comes to household odors. To combat musty bathroom smells, be proactive in keeping moisture levels in check by using a hygrometer to test humidity levels and using a dehumidifier if necessary. Additionally, regularly clean and replace sponges, towels, and bath mats to prevent the build-up of odor-causing bacteria.
By tackling these tough spots in your home, you can effectively eliminate bad odors and keep your space smelling fresh and inviting.
Expert Advice and Tricks
1. Keep a Clean Home
According to Melissa Maker, founder of Clean My Space, a clean home should actually smell like nothing. This means that the first step to eliminating bad odors is to ensure your home is clean and free from sources of bad smells. Regular cleaning, including wiping down surfaces, vacuuming carpets, and cleaning out garbage cans, can go a long way in keeping your home smelling fresh.
2. Control Moisture Levels
Rachel Hoffman, author of Unf*ck Your Habitat, points out that moisture is the number one cause of household odors. Using a hygrometer to test humidity levels in each room and using dehumidifiers in areas with high humidity can help control moisture and prevent bad smells from developing.
3. Address Specific Smelly Areas
Be proactive in addressing specific areas that tend to give off bad smells, such as garbage cans, litter boxes, and refrigerators. Regular cleaning and maintenance of these areas, such as laundering pet beds and regularly cleaning the inside of the garbage can, can help prevent odors from becoming overwhelming.
4. Use Natural Odor Neutralizers
Instead of simply masking bad smells with fragrances, consider using natural odor neutralizers like activated charcoal filters or simmer pots with natural ingredients like herbs and citrus. These can help neutralize odors without adding strong scents to your home.
5. Freshen the Air Naturally
Open windows to let in fresh air, invest in air purifiers to remove contaminants, and use natural methods like baking soda sachets and reed diffusers to naturally freshen the air in your home without relying on strong artificial scents.
In conclusion, maintaining a clean and fresh-smelling home requires regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and the use of effective cleaning products. It’s important to stay consistent with cleaning routines and to address any potential sources of odors to create a comfortable living environment.
