That Stinks, Get Rid Of It!

Experts suggest skipping the lung irritants that only mask smells and disguise themselves as a fancy brand-name freshener. But, they're usually the cheapest choice on the shelf and sometimes a quick burst of scent is all you need. Find a product that kills the odor causing bacteria as well as gives a burst of smell good and you'll get your money's worth.

Control cooking odors as you are cooking. Boil 1/4 cup vinegar per 1 quart (1 liter works too) of water in a saucepan on the stove. The rising heat carries odor neutralizing vinegar to the same surfaces that the smoke and grease have landed on. This is one tip I can not wait to try.

Funky carpet funk is no fun. Shake baking soda on the stain or entire carpet if needed. Let the baking soda stay on the carpet over night. Next day vacuum up. Repeat if necessary.

Buy some fine activated charcoal in the aquarium supply section at the store. Spread some in a shallow pan and put on a shelf in the fridge or freezer. The charcoal is safe around food. After about 8 hours the charcoal can be reactivated in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. You can reuse the charcoal many times by reactivating it. In a pinch, you can use cat litter.

We all know about keeping a box of baking soda in there for odor busting maintenance. Another product easy enough to acquire but not nearly as cheap as the baking soda. I am talking about fresh coffee grounds. Not the wet grounds left in the filter, silly.

Would love to hear from someone with a tried and true diy air freshener "recipe." If it kills the odor causing bacteria, that's all the better.
                                                                     sniff sniff