Homemade Odor Neutralizers

Fortunately, you can create your own homemade natural odor neutralizer that will not fill your home with harsh fumes and toxic residue.

Vinegar

Inexpensive, natural and found in many pantries, white vinegar will neutralize even the toughest odors caused by pets or smoke. Pour undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle and mist walls, upholstery, curtains, carpeting and other fabrics with the vinegar. Let the vinegar air-dry on the surface. As the vinegar dries, it will remove the unpleasant odors. Repeat the process as needed.

Baking Soda

Baking soda neutralizes odors without using expensive and dangerous chemicals, and you can find it in the baking aisle of department stores. Sprinkle baking soda on upholstery or carpets and let sit for several hours. Remove the baking soda with a vacuum. Keep an opened box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb food odors. Replace the baking soda with a fresh box every 30 days.

Lemons

Keeping your home free of odors, lemons will fill the air with a pleasant citrus aroma. Toss several pieces of lemon wedges down a smelly garbage disposal and let run for several seconds. The lemon wedges cleanse the garbage disposal and remove unpleasant odors. Boil several lemon wedges in a pot filled with water. Let the lemons and water simmer dry to remove cooking odors in the air.

Cinnamon

Using cinnamon to remove odors from the air also leaves your home smelling delicious. Wrap several sticks of cinnamon in aluminum foil and place on a cookie sheet. Set the cookie sheet into a preheated oven set at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Leave the oven door open until completely cooled to fill your home with a spicy scent and remove odors.

Dried Flowers and Herbs

Forgo the expensive potpourri and instead make your own. Fill small sachets with herbs such as cloves, or flowers such as dried lavender, and hang them from closets or place them inside drawers. Mix the dried flowers or herbs with baking soda for a fragrant carpet powder. Sprinkle the homemade carpet powder on the surface and let sit for several hours before removing with your vacuum.

Essential Oils

Various essential oils will neutralize odors and replace them with a pleasant and therapeutic scent. Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups of cool water and add 10 to 15 drops of the essential oil of your choice. Sage, grapefruit, lemon, orange and tea tree oil are a few of the essential oils that will remove odors from your home. Mist the offending area with the mixture and let air-dry.

Vanilla

Remove nose-wrinkling odors from the air and replace them with a fresh-baked aroma using vanilla. Soak several cotton balls in pure vanilla extract and set on a saucer or in a small bowl. Place the saucer or bowl around the area to remove odors from home. Add several drops of clear vanilla to an open paint can to help neutralize the offensive paint odors.