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(image: New Health Advisor)
A clean and healthy home should smell of - nothing! Most chemical air fresheners are filled with toxins that irritate the body and trigger allergies. Here are three tried-and-tested ways to naturally eliminate odours. Read how vodka helps to eliminate odour here.
Baking Soda + Essential Oils
Make your own odour-busting powder with baking soda, which eliminates the molecules in the air that cause bad smells. Mix one cup of baking soda with 15 to 20 drops of your favourite essential oil. Sprinkle the scented baking soda over your upholstery, carpet, mattress and soft furnishings. Let it sit for 20 minites, then vacuum it. Store powder in an airtight container.
You can also pour some onto a plate and leave it where there may be strong odours. This is best used in small spaces, the refrigerator, the bathroom or the closet.
Black Charcoal
Long prized for its ability to adsorb smells, activated charcoal (charcoal that's been heat-treated, creating small pores that increase surface area, for better absorption) is added to many odour-removing products. On its own, pure charcoal is non-toxis and can last up to six months.
Look for activated charcoal, which is usually sold in sticks. Buy those that come in a bag, as they can easily stain. Otherwise, wrap them before use. Place them all around the house where there is high humidity or bad odours, such as in closets, drawers and where you keep your shoes.
Vinegar + Essential Oils
If you're dealing with humidity and musty odours, you will need to eliminate the root cause - mould and fungus. Vinegar is a powerdul antimicrobial agent - it kills bacteria, mould and fungus. Essential oils have powerful cleansing properties of their own. Tea tree oil, lavender, thyme and cinnamon are great for preventing mould and fungus.
Fill a spray bottle with one cup of plain distilled white vinegar. Add 20 drops of essential oil. Spray directly onto affected areas. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe away. Repeat until the smell is gone. However, do not use vinegar on stone surfaces such as marble or granite.