Post by ellise on Nov 8, 2005 1:06:24 GMT 10
* Vinegar is an inexpensive, effective deodorizer. To get rid of unpleasant odors (like cigarette smoke), pour 1/2 cup of vinegar in each of several containers and place them around the room.
* Another smoke-neutralizing tip? Fill ashtrays with cat litter! This product puts out cigarettes and absorbs the smell.
* To eliminate the scent of cabbage or other disagreeable odors wafting through the kitchen, simmer cinnamon sticks or cloves in a pot of water. Or boil 3 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 cup of water.
* Rid your hands of fish odor by washing them with vinegar, then rinsing them with water.
* Lingering odor on your plastic or wood cutting board? Cover the board with a paste of baking soda and water and let it set for 15 to 30 minutes. Remove the paste with hot soapy water ‑- and as a final step, rub the entire board with a little lemon juice.
* Oven cleaners tend to leave behind a strong chemical scent. To freshen the air (and your oven), place orange peels in the oven and bake them for l5 minutes at 300 degrees. Or do the same with a whole unpeeled lemon. After baking, leave the oven door slightly ajar, and take care not to touch the fruit until it has completely cooled.
* Blast garbage disposal odor with simple ice cubes! Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 cup water (or enough water to fill an ice tray). Pour the mixture into your tray and freeze. Pop the ice cubes in the disposal and grind. Another thrifty option? Rather than discard orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime peels, freeze them and run a few through the disposal from time to time. Remember to flush the disposal with cold water afterward.
* Sour microwave smells are easily eliminated. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to 2 cups of water and microwave the solution on high power for 10 minutes. Leave the lemon water in the microwave for another 10 minutes, and then wipe down the microwave walls with a clean cloth dipped in a bit of the mixture. Repeat if necessary.
* For simple fridge fresheners, cotton balls soaked in vanilla, or an open container of coffee grounds (even used coffee grounds!), do the trick.
* The ultimate litter box deodorizer? For every 5 pounds of litter, add 2 teaspoons dried mint and 1 cup baking soda.
* To quickly deodorize a bathroom, strike a match.