Natural Remedies for Eliminating Harsh Odors

Edgar Villafranco

Natural Remedies for Eliminating Harsh Odors

At We Leave Clean, we understand how challenging it can be to remove tough odors from cooking, pets, or everyday life at home. When Jeremy Steckler, a content marketing coordinator at ApartmentGuide, invited us to share our expertise, we were thrilled to contribute to their latest blog post on odor-fighting tips. ApartmentGuide, a respected platform for apartment living and home care and a subsidiary of the real estate powerhouse Redfin, features expert advice from industry professionals, and we’re honored to be included. Read on to learn about our natural remedy for persistent odors, and be sure to check out Jeremy’s full article for even more helpful insights!

Our Expert Tip for Removing Stubborn Odors:

As featured on ApartmentGuide, here’s the tip that Jeremy Steckler selected to showcase our approach to natural, eco-friendly odor solutions:

If you’re looking for another concoction to try, consider Edgar Villafranco’s remedy from We Leave Clean, a cleaning company with locations based all over the country. ‘For stubborn odors, especially from cooking or pets, try simmering a pot of water with slices of lemon, a few sprigs of rosemary, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract for 30 minutes,’ says Edgar. ‘The steam from this natural mixture not only freshens the air but also neutralizes lingering smells, leaving your home smelling clean and inviting.’”*

Our contribution to ApartmentGuide focuses on using simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. The combination of lemon, rosemary, and vanilla extract releases natural essential oils that not only replace odors with a refreshing aroma but also have air-purifying properties.

Why Natural Odor Solutions Are Better:

Jeremy Steckler’s article dives into why natural solutions are an ideal choice for odor elimination, especially for households with children and pets. Natural remedies, such as our lemon and rosemary mixture, are eco-friendly and safe, avoiding the chemicals found in many artificial sprays. Using household ingredients not only reduces costs but also minimizes waste.

More Tips for a Fresh-Smelling Home: 
Inspired by the insights shared in Jeremy’s article, here are a few more tips for maintaining a clean, odor-free home:

1. Ventilate Your Space:
  • Creating good air circulation in your home is essential for removing stale odors and bringing in fresh scents. Proper ventilation helps dissipate trapped smells, from cooking aromas to pet odors. For a quick fix, try opening multiple windows throughout your home for just 15 minutes each day, especially after cooking or cleaning. This cross-ventilation method allows fresh air to flow through and push stagnant, odor-filled air outside, leaving your rooms feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. In rooms without windows, such as basements or interior bathrooms, consider using exhaust fans or portable air purifiers to help move the air and keep it fresh.
2. Use Baking Soda to Absorb Odors:  
  • Baking soda is a tried-and-true, natural deodorizer known for its powerful odor-absorbing qualities. Because it neutralizes odors rather than masking them, baking soda is ideal for lingering smells on carpets, upholstery, and even inside refrigerators. For fabric surfaces, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda on the area, let it sit for at least 15-30 minutes (or overnight for stronger odors), and then vacuum it up. This process draws out and eliminates embedded odors at the source. For continuous odor control, you can even place open containers of baking soda in rooms, cabinets, or closets, where it will actively absorb unwanted smells over time. This effective, inexpensive solution is one Jeremy Steckler was quick to spotlight in ApartmentGuide’s feature, thanks to its versatility and ease of use.
3. Activated Charcoal for Long-Term Odor Control:
  • Activated charcoal is a natural, highly effective solution for continuous odor control in enclosed spaces. Made from carbon-rich materials processed to create an extremely porous surface, activated charcoal binds to and traps odor molecules, making it perfect for maintaining fresh air in often-used closets, basements, storage rooms, or pet areas. Unlike typical air fresheners that only mask odors, activated charcoal absorbs them, making it a long-term solution for keeping spaces odor-free. To use, place small bags or containers of activated charcoal in the desired area and replace them every 1-3 months to ensure they remain effective. With minimal upkeep, activated charcoal offers a powerful, eco-friendly way to tackle stubborn odors while keeping your living space invitingly fresh.

Check Out Jeremy Steckler’s Full Article on ApartmentGuide

Our contribution is just one of many expert tips featured in Jeremy Steckler’s full article on ApartmentGuide. Jeremy has done a fantastic job curating advice from different cleaning professionals to help readers tackle challenging odors and freshen up their spaces. For more information and to explore all of the odor-eliminating solutions featured, you can read the article here:  
Get Rid of Bad Odors: Tips and Tricks for Freshening Up Your Space

We’re grateful to Jeremy Steckler and ApartmentGuide for the opportunity to share our approach with their readership. At We Leave Clean, we’re committed to delivering effective cleaning solutions nationwide, and we’re excited to continue sharing our knowledge. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn pet odors or cooking smells, natural remedies offer a safe, powerful way to keep your home smelling clean and inviting. Thank you, Jeremy, for helping us bring these tips to a wider audience!

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