The 10 Best Hacks To Control Gross Smells In Your Home

Let's face it: sometimes things stink. Bad stenches could either be caused by a temporary problem like moldy food or a lingering musty odor that has hung around for way too long. Room sprays mask smells but don't always eliminate them, which is why neutralizing odors is the best offense and defense. To help you control horrid scents in your home, we're sharing our top 10 favorite odor-eliminating hacks. Whether you've got a refrigerator that smells like last week's fish fry or a stale and humid closet, you could employ one of these relatively quick fixes that's simple, affordable, and effective. You could also try out multiple of these ideas at the same time for a multifaceted approach that's bound to expel gross odors.

Deodorization is the chemical process of removing odor-causing particles from the air instead of just covering them up with favorable scents. This means that, after deodorizing your home, the fresh scent will last much longer than it would if you simply lit a candle or used a room spray. Many of our suggestions make use of the chemical reaction caused by acids like lemon or vinegar and bases like baking soda. These simple ingredients prove you don't need to buy strong cleaning products with harsh scents to combat foul odors. Natural cleaning ingredients work just as well (if not better), and you likely already have them on hand. 

It may sound simple, but opening up the windows will improve how a room smells. Musty scents, trapped bathroom odors, and stale cooking stenches will dissipate and flow out of the open windows, while clean air will enter the room and add a crisp, fresh scent. Though this method is effective, it's far more important to locate the source of any foul odors so they do not continue to cause problems. Pair this method with a thorough cleaning for the best results. 

Lemons are one of the best natural cleaners and deodorizers. The citric acid in lemons is an all-natural stain and odor fighter. It also serves as a neutralizer that will combat foul smells and leave a pleasant aroma in their place. Deodorizing with lemons is simple: just cut a lemon in half and leave it out to absorb odors. You can also easily clean your microwave by heating lemon juice and water for about three to four minutes. Or, you could cleanse your space with lemon juice, but ensure that you don't use the acidic liquid on surfaces that could get damaged like natural stone and hardwood.

While lemons are effective at neutralizing odors, their scent isn't for everyone. If you're not a fan of citrus, try vanilla extract. After sanitizing the inside of your refrigerator, soak some cotton balls in this delicious fragrance, then leave them in a small, uncovered bowl in the back of the fridge. The vanilla will replace strong, fishy, musty, or sour odors. Using vanilla to make a home smell inviting is actually an old real estate trick, so you can trust that it will make your house more welcoming. 

Moisture is often the culprit behind bad odors, as it can create mold and mildew growth that comes with a bad stench. Further, water molecules in the air could be holding onto the foul smells in your home. Thwart excess moisture and stop moldy smells before they even begin by using a dehumidifier, which will absorb the water droplets in the air that contain odor. Water absorbers like DampRid (which you can buy at Walmart) act similarly and don't need to be plugged into an outlet, so they're suitable for small spaces like closets or other areas that often become stale and musty over time. 

Like lemons, baking soda is an effective natural cleaner and deodorizer. It's inexpensive but packs a punch. Sprinkle it on a smelly rug or carpet and let it sit for thirty minutes before vacuuming it away, which will neutralize odors that may linger in the fibers of the carpet. It is a great solution for combatting pet odors like urine. Additionally, baking soda can be used to refresh your mattress as well, or you could simply place it in an open bowl and let it sit out to absorb odors.

Vinegar is a simple cleaning chemical that is unparalleled. Not only can you use a DIY vinegar spray to cleanse surfaces, but you can also use it to trap odors. Just pour white vinegar into a bowl and leave it uncovered all night. The vinegar will dissipate into the air and neutralize foul smells. Though it doesn't take much, this method does wonders for urine, smoke, and moldy stenches.

Trash cans can get smelly even when lined with a bag, so periodically cleaning the bin will keep it from harboring odors that won't go away. Cleanse the garbage can thoroughly with vinegar, then let it dry and scrub the can with baking soda. The vinegar will help neutralize the smell and cleanse the surface, while the baking soda's gentle abrasiveness will clean it further and kill any organic matter that may linger behind. 

Garbage disposals can be the source of some powerful odors. When food gets trapped, it sits in the sink drain and rots. Thankfully, the combination of baking soda and vinegar comes in handy once again. Pour about half of a cup of baking soda into your garbage disposal to lift old, stuck-on food and neutralize the odors left behind. Wait thirty minutes, add a cup of vinegar, and wait for the chemical reaction. After ten minutes, flush it with water. Finally, run the disposal for about thirty seconds, and you'll have a better-smelling sink. 

Odors get trapped in soft materials, and your air filter is no exception. In fact, if you haven't replaced the filter in a long time, you could be blowing foul smells from the filter into your home. Scents like cigarette smoke may linger in the older filters and continue circulating in the air. Regularly changing your air filters will help keep fresh air flowing and reduce stale, musty, and moldy stenches. 

Chances are that you've got a few silica packets lying around, since they're typically added to products to reduce moisture. You can reuse these small bundles to keep your drawers and cupboards fresh. The gel beads absorb excess moisture particles from the air, and with less water vapor circulating, mold will be less likely to grow and stink up your enclosed spaces. Further, since odors can get trapped in water molecules and stay in the air, this will eliminate other stenches as well. Empty the packets into a mesh bag and place the bag wherever you need to control moisture and smells.