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Annie B. Bond

Odor Removing Secrets

posted by Annie B. Bond Sep 29, 2006 5:49 am
filed under: Healthy Home, Household Hints, , ,
Odor Removing Secrets
44 comments

By Annie B. Bond, author of Home Enlightenment (Rodale, 2005).

Have you ever wanted to get the smell of perfume out of something and not been able to get rid of it? Cat pee? The new smell in a car?

I’ve figured out how to remove most odors using kitchen cupboard ingredients, all except mothballs, and even chemical experts say the only way to rid something of the smell of moth balls is the sun. Keep these odor tips to tack on your laundry room wall:

Perfume – Soak or spray with white distilled vinegar (in both instances let set for a few hours before rinsing, or for spraying just let the smell dissipate)

Chemical Smell in Fabric -Soak overnight in 1 cup of baking soda before washing as usual.

Soot —Washing soda (wash area with 1 gallon to water to ¼ cup washing soda; let set for an hour or so before rinsing).

PVC/Plastic – Set plastic shower curtains, etc., in the sun, or wash with soap flakes and water once a week (about ¼ cup to 1 gallon warm water). Alternatively, set the plastic item in the sun as often as possible.

Biological Odors
Many biological odors contain both alkaline and acidic components, hence the alternating of baking soda and vinegar. When in doubt for any biological odor, follow directions for “Pet Pee,” below.

Pet Pee – Vinegar and Baking soda, alternating. (Place white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it straight onto the pee assuming the area can handle moisture; let kit set for an hour or so before rinsing. Follow by sprinkling the area with baking soda. Mist the baking soda with water. Let it set for a few hours before vacuuming. Keep alternating until the odor is gone.)

Perspiration — Baking soda. (Scrub a thick baking soda paste into the perspiration on the fabric; let set for an hour before laundering as usual. For personal hygiene, powder baking soda under your arms, making it slightly moist beforehand to help is stick if needed.)

Vomit – Vinegar and baking soda, alternating (follow directions for “Pet Pee”).

More on Household Hints (172 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3214 articles available)

44 comments

44 comments

add your comment »
44 Comments       add a comment »
Brad Bassett

Is there any way to get rid of an aromatherapy diffuser smell from a house. I'm trying to sell the house, but the buyers are very sensitive to smell. The carpet has been cleaned twice, and the walls once. Help!!

Scott Paradise

I recently visited a hot sulphur springs pool. I intended to trash the shorts that I wore while swimming, but unfortunately, the shorts found their way into my laundry. I rewashed the load without the affected shorts, yet can't kick the smell. Is there anything that I can do?

Scott Paradise

I recently visited a hot sulphur spring pool in Colorado and accidentally washed my laundry with the shorts in which I swam. I intended to trash the shorts, yet somehow they made it into the wash. I've rewashed the clothing, yet can't kick the smell. Is there anything that I can do?

Melva Cate

Help The car dealership sprayed the inteior of my car and now it smells like perfume,( I have severe asthma) they used a machine to clean the air but it did not work, what will help?

Christine Winters

Any suggestions on how to remove the dye odor which smells like sulphur from a new pair of black wash jeans? They have been washed once but the odor remains. Thanks

S. S.
  • S. S. says
  • Oct 13, 2007 7:42 AM

Any suggestions as to the best way to safely deodorize a carpet (in a way that is not damaging to the carpet or to the floor that it's on)? Same question for a bed-mattress?

Laurella W.

To get rid of cigarette smoke smell, wash the fabric using baking soda. For carpeting, sprinkle with baking soda, sweep in, and let sit over night or longer.

michelle s.

any ideas (aside from Febreze)for getting the smells of cirgarette smoke out of draperies?

Val B.
  • Val B. says
  • Jul 20, 2007 11:50 AM

For Sharon on removing the oil, grease, and gas. My hubby gets diesel and grease on his clothes all week long. I tried everything I could come up with. I finally tried an orange citrus degreaser/cleaner. One little cap full added to the wash does the trick. No stain, and no nasty smell left! :o)

Diana Fry

This is not new just forgotern. Most natural remidies and stain removers were aroud and used in my grandma's day, around 1900's. Not onlyare they cheapper but save the envioment and not to say your pocket book.

Diana Fry

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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