Vanessa Amaro, Clorox spokesperson and TikTok’s ‘Queen of Cleaning,’ is on a mission to help homeowners tackle the often-overlooked issue of odors in their homes. In this article, we’ll dive into the top spots that can harbor unwanted smells and provide expert advice on how to eliminate and prevent them from returning.

The Top Spots That Can Harbor Unwanted Smells

• Unclean Upholstery: Pets, kids, and frequent entertaining can lead to a buildup of odors in your couch.
• Curtains and Drapes: These often-unwashed items can hold onto bad smells, especially in kitchen and dining areas.
• Kitchen Culprits: Garbage disposals, sponges, and kitchen appliances can be sources of mildew and odors.
• The Washer and Dryer: These machines can harbor bacteria and mildew, causing unpleasant smells.
• Pet Supplies: Regular cleaning of pet bedding, toys, and stuffies can keep your home smelling fresh.
• Carpet and Rugs: Sprinkling baking soda on carpets and rugs can help absorb and eliminate odors.
• Garbage and Recycling Bins: Regular washing and disinfecting can keep trash bins fresh and odor-free.

According to Amaro, using natural deodorizers like vinegar and baking soda can help absorb odors, but it’s also essential to address the source of the smell. This means tackling tasks like washing linens and pet beds regularly, and keeping your appliances clean. By staying on top of these tasks, you can help keep your home odor-free for the long haul.

Effective Odor-Reducing Solutions

1. Unclean Upholstery: Mix fabric softener, rubbing alcohol, and water to create a solution that can help eliminate lingering odors.
2. Curtains and Drapes: Wash or dry clean your curtains at least once a year to eliminate and prevent odors.
3. Kitchen Culprits: Create a DIY disposal cleaner using baking soda and vinegar, and run warm water down the drain to sweep away lingering odors.
4. The Washer and Dryer: Run a monthly bleach cleanout cycle to keep your machines in top shape and your laundry smelling fresh.
5. Pet Supplies: Wash pet bedding, toys, and stuffies regularly to keep your home smelling fresh.
6. Carpet and Rugs: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs to help absorb and eliminate odors.
7. Garbage and Recycling Bins: Wash and disinfect your trash bins regularly to keep them fresh and odor-free.

Some additional tips from Amaro include:

• Check your sponges regularly to ensure they’re not harboring bacteria and odors.
• Use a dryer sheet to absorb new odors in your trash bin.
• Run an empty load on the hottest setting in your washing machine to help flush out bacteria and bleach residue.

Amaro emphasizes the importance of staying on top of these tasks to keep your home odor-free for the long haul. By following these tips and tricks, you can eliminate and prevent unwanted smells from returning and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.

Key Takeaways

“The key to keeping your home smelling fresh is to stay on top of these tasks and not just mask odors with air fresheners or scented candles,” Amaro says. “By addressing the source of the smell, you can eliminate and prevent unwanted smells from returning. Remember, a clean home is a happy home!”

“The couch is one area that is used very often but can also be hard to clean regularly,” Amaro says. “I make my own solution to deodorize my couch, and it is a very simple mixture that most people will have the ingredients for at home already.”

“Natural deodorizers like vinegar and baking soda can absorb odors, but it’s also essential to address the source of the smell. This means tackling tasks like washing linens and pet beds regularly, and keeping your appliances clean,” she emphasizes. Key Takeaway: Stay on top of tasks like washing linens, pet beds, and keeping appliances clean to keep your home smelling fresh and odor-free for the long haul.

Amaro’s advice is clear: by following these tips and tricks, you can eliminate and prevent unwanted smells from returning and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.