It's Winter and Our House Doesn't Stink!
Winter months can bring with them unwanted food and household odors that can linger in the air. To help keep your home smelling fresh, here are some tips and five must-have cleaning supplies to safely remove the odors.
Open the windows whenever the weather permits—dust, vacuum, and steam clean floors and furniture surfaces. Wash throw rugs, couch pillows, blankets, and shower curtains. Clean showers, tubs, and toilets thoroughly.
In the kitchen, slice up some unpeeled oranges and lemons into small pieces and put them in the garbage disposal. This will clean the disposal blades and your kitchen will smell great.
For stinky shoes, throw any washable shoes in the washing machine for a quick wash. Place fabric softener sheets in your shoes when you aren't wearing them. Ask family members to keep their shoes in a closet, a designated box in the laundry room or garage, or some other designated area in the home. If shoes and clothing stink after washing them, toss them out.
Use baking soda. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can absorb odors from the air and surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, furniture, and other surfaces to help absorb odors. Then vacuum the baking soda and remove it immediately from the vacuum filter area.
Use vinegar. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can help neutralize odors in your home. Try using a vinegar solution of one part vinegar to four parts water to help remove odors from fabrics and other surfaces.
Change the air filters in the house and in your vacuum.
Use an Air Purifier.
Wash pet beds, cages, and toys.
If you have pet birds, do not use candles, incense, deodorizing sprays, plugins, or air fresheners; avoid tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, arborvitae, and pine scents and oils.
If your bird is not flying about, you can scent your home using a small Crockpot/Slow Cooker set on low. Fill it with water, oranges and peels, cinnamon, and cloves. You can also use lemon, lavender, grapefruit, and vanilla to create a naturally clean fragrance. Empty and clean the Crockpot after each use.
Other bird-safe scents you can steam in the Crockpot on low are:
Almond Extract
Allspice
Cinnamon Sticks
Citrus Peels
Cloves
Ginger
Vanilla Extract & Vanilla Beans
My top five bird-safe, people-safe, highly effective, must-have cleaning supplies. (Besides a vacuum)
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