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Green Remedies for Stubborn Odors

2008-05-29-smelly.jpgJust 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

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cleaning, green ideas

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Comments (18)

EEEEWWW

posted by little flower on May 29th 2008 at 12:10pm
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what in the world!! that picture is priceless!

posted by selena on May 29th 2008 at 12:12pm
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ok now reading the actual post -- LMAO still

posted by little flower on May 29th 2008 at 12:13pm
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That picture really disturbs me.

posted by Ajax's on May 29th 2008 at 12:18pm
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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..

posted by little flower on May 29th 2008 at 12:22pm
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It must be some kind of 1950's research or something. Deodorant testing? Anyway, I love the pic and emailed to my husband.

posted by spossberg on May 29th 2008 at 12:25pm
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bbq charcoal briquettes are really good at getting the funk out of stinky shoes too

posted by little flower on May 29th 2008 at 12:33pm
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spossberg that is so romantic! lol
i must send this to my boyfriend (and coworkers...i love them too!)
hehehe

posted by little flower on May 29th 2008 at 12:34pm
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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.

posted by Valerie on May 29th 2008 at 2:54pm
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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.

posted by little flower on May 29th 2008 at 4:27pm
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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!

posted by madcow77 on May 30th 2008 at 3:38am
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@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.

posted by ditchwitch in ATX on May 30th 2008 at 6:52am
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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?

posted by Kate (NC) on May 30th 2008 at 12:20pm
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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

posted by Kate (NC) on May 30th 2008 at 12:25pm
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Simple Solution (from the pet store): it uses enzymes to EAT smells.

posted by dia on May 31st 2008 at 6:44am
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Thanks for the link love :) And the semi-disturbing picture. Funny.

posted by Jennifer Chait on June 1st 2008 at 3:00pm
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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.

posted by pxlchk1 on June 2nd 2008 at 7:16am
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OMG i KNEEEEWWW IT!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!! HEHEHEHEHE

posted by little flower on June 27th 2008 at 7:07pm
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