Get Rid of Odours At Home Naturally

Battling odours at home? There are a few options, including buying an air purifier or air freshener to get rid of the annoying smell. If you want more natural methods that won't cause your allergies to act up, then read on to find out the top 5 natural things that will adsorb the nasty smells effectively (not 'absorb' since adsorption refers to the scientific property of certain substances to attract other particles to their surface).  

Baking Soda

Inexpensive yet versatile, the baking soda is an invaluable item to have at home because it can freshen up your rooms in a jiffy. If your drains stink to high heaven, then pour in some baking soda before running some warm water to wash it all down and neutralise the odours. For a smelly carpet or piece of furniture, sprinkle the baking soda over it and let it sit overnight to soak up the stench. Vacuum the carpet the next day to erase the odour. The baking soda is generally not harmful to your furnishing e.g. cause discolouration, but do test it out in an inconspicuous area before you go all out. On the other hand, there are some who warn against sprinkling baking soda wholesale on the carpet due to 2 reasons:

• Baking soda particles are so small that they cannot be fully recovered via the vacuum cleaner and thus will remain in the carpet fibre.
• Due to their small size, the particles can also clog up the pores of your vacuum cleaner bag or HEPA filter. This can drastically reduce the vacuum's performance and power.

If you're worried about the above, then consider placing dryer sheets on top of the affected area before sprinkling the baking soda and leaving it overnight. This works just as well for coffee powder if you don't have baking soda.  

Charcoal

Commonly used for BBQ, charcoal is yet another effective odour neutraliser. It also absorbs moisture so it's great for old houses where there will inevitably be an 'old house' smell. Another option is to use activated charcoal, which is charcoal that has been activated and made more porous so it can absorb more odours. The only problem is that it may take longer than the baking soda to fully take effect. To buy activated charcoal, you can try looking in aquarium shops.  

Plants

These are great for purifying the air after you've eliminated the causes of an odour. Some plants that improve the air quality at home include the peace lily, aloe, snake plant and spider plant. Before you buy a house plant, however, be sure to check that it's not potentially harmful to your pets. Websites like ASPCA have a very comprehensive list on toxic and non-toxic plants.  

Beeswax & Soy Candles

The usual paraffin candles are created from petroleum by-products so when they are lighted, they release carcinogenic toxins such as benzene and toluene into the air—akin to burning diesel fuel. So if you want a more natural way of making your air smell sweet, then check out beeswax and soy candles. They not only add a pleasant scent to your home, the beeswax candle also releases negatively charged ions that cling onto positively charged ions so as to eliminate odours and make the air less stuffy. Such candles are great for people who have asthma or allergies since they remove common allergens like dust from the air. You can check out retailers like Amoré By GI OTTO but do ensure that you're buying 100% naturally made candles!  

Salt Lamps

If this is your first time hearing about salt lamps, then you're in for a treat! This unique lamp is made from Natural Himalayan salt crystals and gives off a comforting amber glow. It works much like a beeswax candle, since it also releases negative ions. They're great as night lights too so if you're interested in getting one for yourself, you can check out Amazon.com.   If you've tried any of the methods stated above, then do let us know on our Facebook fan page! We look forward to hearing from you soon!