Baking cookies, pies and cupcakes can fill the house with smells of sugary goodness, luring family members to the kitchen. But some cooking aromas are less desired. Fish, curry and cabbage, for example, are delicious to eat but can leave lingering scents that are not pleasing. Luckily, there are a few everyday household items that can help soak up odours to leave your house smelling clean and fresh again. We asked 5 Molly Maid cleaning experts across the country for their favourite choice of odour-absorbing agent and why. Here is what they said:
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a hero in the kitchen, says Moyra O’Donnell, Molly Maid Fredericton. A popular choice for keeping the refrigerator smelling fresh, it’s also effective for keeping odours at bay in the trash can. Just a light sprinkle in the bottom of your bin is all it takes. For surfaces, apply and let sit for an hour before sweeping it away. It’s not magic, just science – baking soda neutralizes pH levels to remove unwanted smells.
Coffee
The delicious smell of coffee wafts through many households each and every morning. But did you know it is also an amazing odour-absorbing agent? Vanessa Anderson, Molly Maid Burlington, Oakville and Waterdown remind us that coffee grounds are an effective and natural alternative to baking soda. Coffee contains nitrogen, which helps neutralize odours in the air quickly and safely.
Kitty Litter
Cat lovers will rejoice over this simple solution to smelly odours in the kitchen and other areas of the home. Bibiana Davidson, of Molly Maid St.Albert, recommends placing unscented kitty litter in discrete locations throughout your house to absorb odour. Kitty litter absorbs odour because it breaks down the bacteria that cause the smell and neutralizes odour.
Lemon Juice
Although not exactly an absorbing agent, lemon juice eradicates odour just as efficiently. If your countertop or stovetop is dirty and smells after cooking, pour a little bit of lemon juice on the surface and wipe it clean, says Maryam Cheema, Molly Maid Winnipeg East Most unpleasant smells from cooking are alkaline, so introducing acidity neutralizes the odour.
Vinegar
Sometimes it takes an equally strong-smelling ingredient to erase a bad-smelling one, says Michele Yonge, Molly Maid Burnaby. Simply mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a small pan and bring to a boil. Vinegar is very acidic and like kitty litter, breaks down bacteria and neutralizes odours. In fact, rubbing a little vinegar on your hands after chopping or dicing is very effective for getting rid of the smell too! Give it a try.
