8 Surprising Household Deodorizers

James BaigrieWhen odors turn a room sour, try these gentle home remedies.

By Martha C. White

Deodorize Your Clothes
Problem: Musty Clothes
Your vintage woolens are back in style, but they bear stale odors picked up during their stint in fashion purgatory.

Solution: Spritz garments with a small amount of vodka (spot-test first). Straight vodka kills bacteria, but it doesn't leave a scent. Hang clothes to dry in a well-ventilated area.

See More: Your Top Laundry Questions, Answered



James BaigrieDeodorize Your Kitchen Sink
Problem: Stinky Sink
The garbage disposal is great for keeping the dregs of dinner from lingering, but the resulting odors are more stubborn.

Solution: Give the disposal something nicer to chew on. Run hot water, drop orange peels down the hatch, and turn on the switch. Lemon, lime, and grapefruit rinds also do the trick.

See More: A Guide to Cleaning Household Surfaces



James BaigrieDeodorize Your Freezer
Problem: Odor on Ice
Those UFOs (unidentified frozen objects) in the freezer make your piecrust smell like a substance from another planet.

Solution: Wipe the freezer with a cotton pad dampened with pure vanilla extract. Refrigerator shelves will benefit from a wipe-down with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water.

See More: Does Your Refrigerator Need a Makeover?






James BaigrieDeodorize Your Car
Problem: Car Fumes
Your car has been there for you through every trip to the vet, the recycling center, and fast-food joints, but you don't want to be reminded of that every time you get behind the wheel.

Solution: Drop a potpourri wax tart into a cup holder. The tarts, used in fragrance burners, are sold by candle makers.

See More: New Uses for Things in the Car







James BaigrieDeodorize Food Storage Containers
Problem: Storage Stench
Saving leftovers for lunch is virtuous; chucking containers because you can't get rid of the smell of vegetable curry isn't.

Solution: Soak plastic containers in warm water and baking soda overnight. Bathe glass jars in a mixture of one teaspoon powdered mustard and one quart warm water.

See More: 4 Ways to Reduce Food Waste







James BaigrieDeodorize Your Carpet
Problem: Scents Underfoot
Carpets can collect unpleasant odors, particularly in high-traffic areas and in spots where pets like to nap.

Solution: Cordon off the zone and sprinkle liberally with baking soda, then vacuum up a few hours later. Can't keep everyone away that long? Do a quarter of the rug at a time.

See More: 8 Surprising Household Deodorizers

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