Do your guests scrunch up their noses upon entering your home? Are you constantly trying to mask or banish home cooking odors?

Sure, you can fill each room with scented candles, plug-ins, or keep a can of air freshener attached to your hip, but masking is the best you can hope to accomplish.

Which means that instead of your family room smelling like wet dog, it now smells like wet dog with a touch of citrus.

If you’re looking for a better, more natural solution, reach into your pantry and pull out that trusty box of baking soda. That’s right, this kitchen staple – whether on its own or combined with other ingredients – can neutralize unpleasant odors and make the air inside your home a pleasure to inhale.

All-Purpose Air Freshener

In a thoroughly cleaned glass jar, mix one cup baking soda with about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Add a teaspoon of dried lavender or mint, close the lid, and shake vigorously to blend. Place a few tablespoons of the mixture in a small dish in any room that needs freshening.

Air Freshener Spray

In a clean spray bottle, mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil, fill with cold water and shake well. Spray on upholstery, stinky sneakers and gym bags, or in any room that needs it.

Just Add Lemon

Citrus scents not only make spaces smell fresh and clean, but researchers also believe they may improve mood. Fill a mason jar with half a cup of baking soda and 14 to 16 drops of citrus essential oil. Place a basket-style coffee filter over the top and secure with a rubber band. Place the jar in the bathroom, your office, or any room for results that will impress even the family doubters.

Sensitive Solution

If you or someone in your home is sensitive to any scents, you can still use baking soda to freshen the air. Simply sprinkle a few tablespoons into small, uncovered bowls and place them around the house where they can’t easily be tipped over or attract curious children and pets.

A Deep Clean

Cleaning goes a long way to banishing household odors. Take your cleaning to another level and use baking soda to clean and deodorize sinks, drains, toilets, and garbage disposals. Sprinkle generously with baking soda, scrub with a sponge, and pour white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide over the surface to create a foaming action. Flush or rinse with clean water.

A Good Night’s Sleep

Clean the air and improve your sleep with the combined power of baking soda and lavender. Add about half a cup of baking soda and 20 drops of lavender to a small mason jar, leaving the lid off. The lavender with help slow your heart rate and blood pressure while the baking soda purifies the air overnight.

A Good Old-Fashioned Sprinkle

Household odors can settle in fabric, furniture, and upholstery. But your comfy sectional doesn’t need to smell like last night’s fish dinner for long. Sprinkle baking soda on fabric, carpeting, and upholstered surfaces and let it sit for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight, then vacuum it up.

Long-term Solution

With a UV (ultraviolet) whole-house air cleaner from C&D Cooling & Heating, you’ll get the best of both worlds, cleaner and healthier air plus air that smells equally fresh and clean.  It’s just one of several indoor air quality solutions we offer – contact us for more information today.