Fixing Stinky Household Odors
No woman (or man) likes stinky household odors in their home. I have compiled easy fixes for common household odors.
Stinky Drains:
How To Fix Stinky Drains If You Have A Garbage Disposal:
1. You can use hot water and dish soap. Let a sink full of hot, soapy water flush through the garbage disposal while it’s running.
2. If that doesn’t fix it, put a stopper in the sink and fill with several inches of water. Add a bit of dish soap. Turn on the disposal and pull the stopper to let the water flush through.
3. If it still smells bad, you want to be sure the disposal blades are clean. Throw a few ice cubes and a handful of kosher salt down the disposal. The ice will knock food off the grinder and the salt will scrub the sides. Repeat if necessary.
How To Fix Stinky Drains Without Garbage Disposal:
Dump a handful of baking soda into the drain. Let it sit (don’t run any water) for 15 minutes, then pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar down the drain.
You will see bubbles and hear it fizzing. Let it sit for another 15 minutes. Then add boiling water. You might have to do this again in a month or so.
Last night I was trying to fix a slow draining bathroom sink. I put 1/3 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of vinegar in a big glass measuring cup. I made the mistake of making the mixture in the kitchen and as soon as the vinegar hit the baking soda it spewed up all over the place.
Next time I will know to mix the ingredients in the bathroom so I don’t make a mess.
How To Keep Your Drain Smelling Fresh:
Sprinkle baking soda down your drain periodically.
How To Fix A Stinky Refrigerator:
The odor may not be emanating from the food you have in your fridge. It maybe be the fridge itself.
The inside of your fridge is primarily made of plastic and plastic absorbs odors.
Cleaning may not take care of the problem. To absorb the odors I know you’ve heard of placing an open box of baking soda in your fridge. This will absorb odors within about three days.
Another trick with baking soda: Put the baking soda in a shaker jar. More baking soda is exposed to the air this way, allowing it to absorb more odors.
Or you can try coffee. Place 1 cup of ground coffee in a bowl and leave it in the fridge for 24-48 hours. The coffee will mask the odor while it absorbs them.
Another thing to try: Place a cotton swab soaked with vanilla inside the fridge for about 24 hours to eliminate odors.
Did you know that a common mistake people make when cleaning the refrigerator? They often don’t think to clean the shelf supports. They are often the biggest culprits of odors.
Remove shelf supports and clean behind them with detergent and disinfectant to get rid of crud. If the shelf supports are permanently attached, soak them with cleaning spray.
Stinky Bathrooms:
Your odor may be from mildew. Killing mold does not always kill the mildew odor. You will need to do a bit more to get rid of the smell.
Mildew odors thrive in moist conditions
This is to prepare for a total cleaning to get rid of the mildew odor. If you have throw rugs in your bathroom, put them in the washing machine and wash them. Use cold water and detergent.
Clean all of your pictures, toiletry products and decor with an all-purpose cleaner. This is to remove any mildew caused by steam getting on your decor and products.
Mix a bleach solution according to the directions on the bottle of bleach. Put it into a clean spray bottle using a funnel. Gather some clean cloths or paper towels and wear rubber gloves so you do not get chemical burns.
Spray every surface with your bleach solution. This includes walls, mirrors, counters, shower, sink, toilet and floor. Make sure every inch of your bathroom is covered by the bleach solution. Allow the solution to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Wipe away the solution from all surfaces using a clean cloth dipped in warm water. Be sure to scrub off any mold, dirt or soap scum from the surfaces.
Allow the entire bathroom to air dry completely. Open windows if you have any in the bathroom and run a fan to circulate the air.
You can also make your own homemade air freshener:
For one air freshener, mix three parts water, one part vodka or rubbing alcohol, and 10 to 20 drops of essential oils. Try lavender, eucalyptus or orange oil.
Place the mixture in a spray bottle and leave on the back of the toilet. Spray when needed.
If the mixture leaves an alcohol type odor, try mixing two cups of water with a tablespoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of baking soda and 10 drops of essential oils.
A Natural Odor Absorber:
Did you know that plants are natural desiccants (drying agents). Ferns or lily plants can help remove unwanted odors from your bathroom and leave it smelling fresh.
And I bet that you thought plants just purified the air!
OK, what is a shaker jar?
Because I would like to do that trick with the baking soda!
I like reading all of your helpful suggestions and viewing your decoration, etc in your apartment. i am curious as to where you bought the tray on the back of your toilet. I could use several in my tiny house.
Great remedies, Brenda. Aren’t baking soda and vinegar wonderful? I use them for cleaning all the time. So much better than commercial products with all the additives that can cause who know what maladies.
Brenda,
Good evening! Thank you for sharing your great tips! I cannot wait to try them out.
I hope that Ivy is staying away from your beautiful tree and that Charlie doing well.
Have a great night!
Brenda, these are pretty cool! Thank you so much for sharing them! One thing I do for the garbage disposal is to grind orange peels through it. They make the kitchen smell wonderful! I do the baking soda for the fridge…it keeps it all neutral-smelling in there. I also have a sprayer filled with a mint/orange scent that works well in my bedroom closet and bathroom. Love and hugs!
Good ideas, I plan to use a couple of them. I wish I had a place in my bathroom to put a couple of plants. I love how you have done yours. I have so little light that the plants would up and die immediately.
I wish I had a window in my bathroom.
Those mother-in-law tongues are great for low light. I forget what the correct name is for them though.
Great ideas but my kitchen disposal isn’t working at the moment and I think it might be the electrical as the switch doesn’t turn on. One more item to tack on for getting repaired in 2019. How is Charlie?
Carol and Molly
xoxoxo
Charlie’s okay. Took him down to the office in a blanket for awhile just to get out. I have a garbage disposal, but have never used it.
Good, I was worried about the little guy. I’m finding I don’t miss the disposal since I cook so much now with a crock pot. Thank you for the update.
Carol and Molly
xoxoxo
Hi Brenda,
Daily reader but I don’t typically comment. Love reading your blog – especially the antics of your fur babies! I just thought it best to let you know that many essential oils are considered quite harmful to pets, in particular cats. Might be worth looking into if you’re planning to use them in your home. Just a suggestion!
I personally only use the essential oils in a diffuser. And I don’t do that now due to Charlie’s coughing.
My late hubby was a superintendent/maintenance director in numerous apartment complexes and commercial buildings.
Since most simple drain clogs/slowness are a result of hair and soap build up,here’s a hint.
Take a night when you’ll be sleeping in the following morning,after you finish bathing,dishes etc. Pour a couple of cups of plain white vinegar down each drain,don’t run any water,go to sleep letting the vinegar do it’s work,the drains should be much improved by the morning.
Do this monthly.
Thanks for the info!
WOW… great ideas / info !!! Thanks Brenda!!!!
I love to share what I find that are easy fixes and don’t cost a lot.
Your home is so cozy Brenda! I’m curious how your granite-like countertops are holding up? It’s been a while now, are there any chips?
There’s one chip on the edge where I dropped something heavy.