Odor Removing Secrets

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 mothballs 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 of 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 it 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”).

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Erik K.

5:12AM PDT on Apr 16, 2012

This is in actuality extremely practical piece of writing.

send a green star

JenJoy H.

2:18PM PST on Dec 22, 2011

Room Shocker is the best product I have used to handle nasty odors. It’s an odor eliminator so it doesn’t cover the smell with perfumes; it actually kills the smell at its source. It’s super easy to use and environmentally friendly, so no harsh chemicals. Check it out at http://www.biocidesystems.com/roomshocker1.html

Karin M.

4:13PM PST on Nov 8, 2010

thanks.

Roxana J.

9:08AM PDT on Sep 29, 2010

Thanks, very helpfull info!

Tammy D.

11:11AM PDT on Sep 23, 2010

thank you

Heidi R.

5:43AM PDT on Sep 18, 2010

I just forwarded this one to someone. This is a very handy article. Thanks again.