The holiday season has officially begun and with it the gatherings, celebrations and festivities enjoyed by family and friends which create lasting memories that makes this time of year so treasured. Hosting these gatherings often requires a lot of preparation which can be stressful, yet is worth the effort for these cherished moments with those we hold near and dear.
From meal planning to beautiful decorations and table settings, we often go out of our way to create a friendly, festive atmosphere, but all these preparations and festivities can be easily ruined by what is often referred to as our most powerful sense – smell.
The secret to a nose-friendly space isn’t simply spraying perfumed scents over bad odours – you have to tackle problem areas at the source first!
Tips to Help Fend Off Bad Odours and Keep Your Home Smelling Great
1. Open Windows
This may seem obvious, but it is surprising how often our airconditioned modern lifestyles neglect this simple, yet effective step to help keep our homes smelling clean. Allowing fresh air to circulate through your home helps to prevent odours from cooking, moisture, dust and more to settle in fabrics and furnishings, so throw open those windows and allow a through-draft to naturally make your space feel cleaner and even lift your mood!
2. Take Out the Trash
From the kitchen bin to waste-paper baskets in the office or bathroom, these handy containers give off funky smells we don’t really notice thanks to ‘sensory adaptation’ which allows us to become accustomed to scents surrounding us… However, although we might not perceive these odours; visitors will, much like we easily notice different scents in unfamiliar surroundings. Emptying trash containers may could make a notable difference to the way your guests perceive your home. As an added preventative, give your emptied bins a ‘sprits’ with lemon or sprinkle some bicarb in the base to help keep odours neutralised.
3. Neutralise Kitchen Odours
The kitchen is a common source of various odours in the home. From lingering aromas of spicy curries or fish dishes to ripening fruits or mucky drains, all these odours can embed themselves in counter tops, nooks, chopping boards etc. Give your kitchen a thorough cleaning with appropriate cleaning agents, remembering to freshen up your fridge and any food cupboards along the way which can also be a source of unwanted odours. Don’t forget to clean kitchen drains which can trap small particles of foods causing unpleasant smells over time. Neutralise lingering aromas in the air by mixing a cup of water with 3 tablespoons of white vinegar and allowing it simmer on the stove.
4. Beautify the Bathroom
As with your kitchen, the bathroom is another common source of unpleasant odours. Give your bathroom a thorough wipe-down. Scrub the toilet, shower / bathtub and sink remembering to clean all drains. Freshen up guest supplies and consider adding a bar of beautiful smelling hand-soap to create a fresh and clean atmosphere.
5. Clean & Deodorise Fabrics with Bicarb
From carpets and rugs to sofas and chairs, fabrics are notorious for holding onto a variety of scents. To quickly and easily neutralise these odours, liberally sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda over them and allow to stand for 30 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly. This common household ingredient is an excellent deodoriser which is safe to use on all kinds of fabrics.
6. Eliminate Sneaky Odours
‘Sneaky odours’ vary from household to household and can range from the beloved cat’s litter box to your teenage son’s running shoes left by the front door… Cleaning & treating these odour causing items will go a long way to helping create nose-friendly home for your visitors.
7. Add Fresh Fragrances
Once you’ve cleaned and treated all sources of unwanted odours, add some fresh fragrances to your home for the finishing touch to your festive gatherings. Our sense of smell is most relaxed by natural aromas so adding fresh flower arrangements or heating a ‘simmer pot’ will be better received than using aerosol air fresheners. If natural scents are not an option, try essential oils added to cotton balls placed around your home or burn scented candles which can add to a relaxed atmosphere for your gathering and keep your home smelling great!
Battling to Eliminate Bad Odours?
CLiCK Cleaning has over 12 years experience working in homes, using the finest cleaning technology available on the market and all of our machines are industrial, guaranteeing a deep clean. Our products are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and safe for use around children and pets.
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