Combat unpleasant odours swiftly with this simple cleaning trick.
It’s a fact that our homes can sometimes harbour less-than-pleasant smells, whether it’s from cooking with strong-smelling ingredients, pets having accidents, or simply falling behind on your cleaning routine. While it might be a bit embarrassing, everyone has to deal with bad smells at some point, so there’s no need to feel ashamed if your home needs a bit of freshening up.
According to one home expert, you don’t need to spend money on pricey air fresheners or room sprays to mask the smell. All you need is a common food item that most people already have in their kitchen – and if you don’t, it’ll only set you back 30p. Laura De Barra shared a video on TikTok where she revealed that all you need is some water and lemon juice to banish any unwanted smells from your home.
What’s more, the mixture does all the work for you, so there’s no need for any additional cleaning. This means you can spend time doing other household chores while your home freshens itself.
Laura explained: “I’m going to show you something, and once you start doing it, you’ll never look back. It’s literally as simple as adding some lemon to water and boiling it. This was my absolute go-to when I was managing like 30 properties – I’d be given the keys to a flat and within 24 hours I’d have to have that flat perfect for the next person moving in.
“That meant no odours; I had to clean everything and have it immaculate. I was always trying to use natural cleaning products because when you’re doing all that work, you don’t want to be using loads of chemicals all the time. Room sprays were not an option.”
The woman continued, outlining the method: simply squeeze a lemon’s juice into a pan with water, bring it to a boil, and let it simmer on the stove. According to her, the steam will begin neutralising odours in “as little as 10 minutes”.
She noted: “The acidity of the lemon can basically break down molecules in the odour, is the easiest way to describe it. So instead of masking the odours with a spray that you also have to breathe in, this is going to work its magic on the odours in the room.”
Laura advised against using the extractor fan while doing this so the steam could fill the room and do its job. She also mentioned an alternative could be using white vinegar, though it might leave a less pleasant vinegary scent than lemon.
Viewers of Laura’s video have been quick to express their gratitude for her useful advice. Some inquired about adapting the technique for rooms other than the kitchen, learning that transferring the saucepan onto a heatproof mat in another room after boiling would effectively continue to diffuse steam and eliminate unwanted smells.
One viewer expressed their appreciation, stating: “Thank you in the name of so many chemical-sensitive people who have issues with renting an odour-free Airbnb.” Another shared their own twist on the method: “Love this! I usually add orange slices and a cinnamon stick to mine!”
How to get rid of unpleasant odours in your home
- Identify the source: check for common culprits such as rotting food in bins or the fridge, areas where your pet frequents, and areas that could harbour mould. Clean up thoroughly by removing waste and spoiled items.
- Deep clean affected areas: Wash and disinfect rubbish bins, clean out your fridge, deep clean your carpets with a carpet cleaner or baking soda, and mop floors and hard surfaces.
- Neutralise odours: Many natural products, including baking soda, white vinegar, and coffee grounds, can be used to neutralise odours in your home. Place these in areas where the odour is most noticeable.
- Improve air circulation: Open windows to ventilate your space, and consider investing in an air purifier that can help circulate fresher, cleaner air throughout your home.