make your home smell good naturally

[heart_changed99]

What are some tips and tricks? Ever since we moved into this house, it always has an odd smell. Its not a bad smell, but definitely not very inviting and I have tried everything. I was lighting candles everyday and we have one of those air fresheners that puff out a scent every 17 mins. One thing that we do need to do is shampoo the carpets. The owners before us had pets (any tips on how to clean the carpet without renting a carpet shampooer are welcome).

[TomSki]

I would go ahead and rent the carpet shampooer. Why wouldn't you? Who knows what's been on that carpet?

[Lynn]

For very little money, you can set out disposable pie tins full of baking soda (I buy the generic store brand or even a very large economy size box). These can be placed under sofas, beds, in closets, behind drapes, etc. Very effective and very cheap.

[heart_changed99]

I would go ahead and rent the carpet shampooer. Why wouldn't you? Who knows what's been on that carpet?

I don't know. Its up to my husband. He makes the calls. :idunno He'll say we're going to do such and such and it is usually weeks before we get to it. Believe me you, if I was the one earning the money, I would have had it done before we moved in. Who knows what has been on these carpets! :fear

[heart_changed99]

For very little money, you can set out disposable pie tins full of baking soda (I buy the generic store brand or even a very large economy size box). These can be placed under sofas, beds, in closets, behind drapes, etc. Very effective and very cheap.

Hmmmm, that sounds like a good idea!

[TomSki]

For very little money, you can set out disposable pie tins full of baking soda (I buy the generic store brand or even a very large economy size box). These can be placed under sofas, beds, in closets, behind drapes, etc. Very effective and very cheap.

Why not also just sprinkle baking soda on the carpets and wait a while, then vacuum?

[freespirit]

Shampoo the carpet for starters. Remove or replace it if you must. A fresh coat of paint on walls and ceilings will cover a lot of foul odors. For a quick fix, Febreeze is an amazing deodorant. I used it on a truck that was owned by a hog farmer, just to try and tone down the stench. It fixed it quite well.

[Lynn]

Why not also just sprinkle baking soda on the carpets and wait a while, then vacuum?

While this is a good suggestion, too, the baking soda needs time to 'absorb' the odors and just sprinkling it on the carpet then vacuuming it up doesn't allow it time to do what it does best--absorb odors. If you do decide to sprinkle some on carpet, do it overnight at least to give it more time to work. But I would still fill containers with the stuff and then toss it out every couple of months and refill them.

[TomSki]

Shampoo the carpet for starters. Remove or replace it if you must. A fresh coat of paint on walls and ceilings will cover a lot of foul odors. For a quick fix, Febreeze is an amazing deodorant. I used it on a truck that was owned by a hog farmer, just to try and tone down the stench. It fixed it quite well.

Talking about paint (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/painting-fixing-repair/refresh-paint-by-dutch-boy-061473)

[Biblenuggetlady]

For very little money, you can set out disposable pie tins full of baking soda (I buy the generic store brand or even a very large economy size box). These can be placed under sofas, beds, in closets, behind drapes, etc. Very effective and very cheap.

:thumb To "dry clean" your carpets, put baking soda in a flour sifter and sprinkle it heavily all over your carpet, let it sit over night and vaccum up the next day. Put cinamon, potpourri or some sent on the floor and vaccum it up then vaccum the baking soda and you won't have to smell the odors come out of your vaccum as you vaccum up the baking soda. Optional: You can then take 1 part of your favorite liquid fabric softener to 6 parts water, put in a spray bottle, spray the carpet after you do the baking soda step, and vaccum again. This leaves the carpet more dust resistant, less static and it'll smell fresh. :thumb


I had a horrible mildew smell in my car due to a leak, I put borax on the wetness, let it dry and vaccumed up, then put baking soda in a cup, set it under one of the seats and leave it there, and it took it away. If you find there is a specific spot on the carpet that smells, pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/2 cup warm water onto the spot, blot really well then pour warm water on it again and then cake it with Borax, let it dry, break the dried caked borax, pick up the pieces and then vaccum up the rest...this works great on mattresses when kids have an accident too! Pulls it out and leaves no smell or stain.

:yeah