Green Remedies for Stubborn Odors

Just kidding - thankfully we're not talking about that kind of odor. We found tips for three simple ways to combat tough household smells and freshen the air at home...

Musty Suitcase: Fill it with recycled crumpled newspaper let it sit for a week. The paper will help absorb the smell. Then, fill a mister bottle with water, add a few drops of tea tree oil, lightly spray the case and leave it open to dry.

Burnt Food: Set aside a thrift store pie plate for times like these. Sprinkle the pan with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of orange essential oil - place in the warm oven, and let it sit as the oven cools.

Stinky Carpet: Sprinkle baking soda around the rug. Add some dried crushed lavender or basil. Wait about 1/2 hour. Vacuum.

Any other natural air freshening tips? Please share them below...

Via: Tree Hugging Family: 25 Safe Non Toxic Homemade Cleaning Supplies

Photo: Fragrance Bouquet

Comments (18)

what in the world!! that picture is priceless!

ok now reading the actual post -- LMAO still

That picture really disturbs me.

sorry i can't help that....but what could possible be another good caption under that.....things that the people in the pic could be saying? craving a little comic relief here..

It must be some kind of 1950's research or something. Deodorant testing? Anyway, I love the pic and emailed to my husband.

bbq charcoal briquettes are really good at getting the funk out of stinky shoes too

spossberg that is so romantic! lol
i must send this to my boyfriend (and coworkers...i love them too!)
hehehe

little flower... do you put the briquettes in an old sock or something?

Orange oil is my favorite scent so I use organic orange spray. I use it like Febreze (it's cheaper) with no ill effects on my curtains and things.

yeah i would recommend putting it in an old sock to keep charcoal dust from ending up inside the shoe. forgot that minor but very important detail. :-)
i like the orange spray - i use that too! i really don't like febreze at all.

my guest room smells like burnt rubber... you know, the smell you sometimes get from an old vacuum cleaner? But there is nothing of the kind in the room... what could be causing the smell?

Thanks for your help!

@madcow: you may have some wiring that is heating up which can cause a burnt rubber/plastic smell. turn your lights / gadgets on one at a time and smell around them, it might turn up some faulty wiring.

There was a study that found that pheromones in men's sweat regulate female's menstrual cycles, but I don't think this picture is about that. But I do find it hilarious. Women's career opportunities in the fifties?

I know some more factoids about professional smellers, but its too gamy and you'd all be screeching "ewwwww."
Baking soda, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and lemons are good for household freshen ups

Simple Solution (from the pet store): it uses enzymes to EAT smells.

Thanks for the link love :) And the semi-disturbing picture. Funny.

With regard to the photo, I work as a design manager at Unilever over the Dove and Degree lines. All I can say is that they actually do this. Thank God it's not part of my job. The people who do it, the professional nose biz, get paid pretty darn well. -And they should!!!

They take little cups and put them over people's underarms to concentrate the sniffing experience. Then they put them in hot rooms for an hour. Some get deo and some don't. The sniffing just gets more intense from there. Yuck.

Ughhh...there went my appetite.

OMG i KNEEEEWWW IT!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!! HEHEHEHEHE