From The Straits Times    |

Image: Pexels

Some smells just linger. Helpling, a local cleaning company, shares these easy (and affordable) tricks to get rid of them.

1. Frying smell 

You have aired all your rooms, but the smell of your fried fish or egg still remains in the apartment? Next time, look ahead by placing a bowl with vinegar in the kitchen before you start cooking. The vinegar absorbs the smell and hinders it from spreading to different rooms. In case you forgot to take preventive action beforehand, simply distribute ground coffee around the kitchen.

2. Shoes

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Sweat makes your shoes stink, and ventilating them might not be enough to get rid of the smell. To imbibe the moisture and odour, place dry tea bags (new or used!) in the toe-caps.

3. Rubbish bin

The smell comes from liquids and the fermentation process your waste goes through. Thoroughly wash the bin with washing-up liquid and vinegar cleaner. After that, put some clumping cat litter at the bottom of the bin and place the bag on top. The litter will soaks up the moisture. As soon as it lumps, simply get rid of it!

4. Smoke

The smell of cigarettes can be persistent. Unfortunately, there is not even a magical household remedy — only one thing really helps: Wash your curtains, pillows, and blankets at 30 degrees on fine wash.

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5. Fridge

Leftover food or forgotten fruit can be enough to ruin our appetite when opening the fridge. Remove the food causing the smell and clean the spot with vinegar cleaner. Next, sprinkle salt on a fresh lemon slice and place it in the fridge. The salty-sour combination absorbs smells on the spot! Replace it with a new lemon slice after about four days.

6. Toilet

Simply light a few matches! The sulphur-y odour effectively distracts from all other smells. If you want to create a pleasant bathroom atmosphere at home, light candles. These have the same effect as matches and look great as well!

Image: Pexels

7. Garlic smell on the hands

Some say rubbing your wet hands on the surface of stainless steel, such as your sink or the fridge, will work! If it doesn’t, try this old household remedy: dip your hands in a bowl of milk and leave them there for a few minutes. That way, the persistent smell is driven off and you are left with soft, nourished skin.

 

This story was originally published in Home & Decor.

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