Common Household Odours and How to Get Rid of Them Naturally

When you think of the smell of home, you imagine fresh linens, lavender, or a delicious home-cooked meal. But sometimes, you’re hit with something… less inviting.  

That unmistakable whiff of expired food, a pet accident you thought you cleaned properly, or that musty, damp smell creeping through the house—it’s not exactly the welcome you were hoping for. 

The good news? These smells don’t have to stick around. Here are five of the most common household odours—and how to get rid of them naturally. 

What you'll need: 

• Vinegar 
• Baking Soda 
• Lemons 
• Essential Oils (optional) 
• Borax (optional) 

Smelly Trash Bins

Garbage bins are notorious for some truly awful smells, mostly thanks to food scraps. And while hosing them down and disinfecting helps, doing it every day isn’t exactly realistic. 

Easy Ways to Keep Your Garbage Bin Odour-Free 

• A few paper towels or some newspaper at the bottom can catch any leaks. 
• Sprinkle baking soda or toss in some lemon quarters—just wipe the bottom out between empties. 
• Steal a little kitty litter and sprinkle it in the bin; it works like a charm! 

Funky Fridge Smell

It doesn’t take much for fridge smells to accumulate. 

That smell that hits you when you open up the refrigerator door is usually caused by spills or expired foods but here are easy enough natural ways to stay on top of it. 

How to Get Rid of Bad Smells in Your Fridge

1. Empty everything out of the fridge (do it a day or two before shopping day so there’s less in there!) and spray the trays with a mix of hot water and white vinegar. 
2. Leave it for 15 minutes or so while you clean the outside of the fridge. Wipe it down with paper towels. 
3. To keep it fresh in the long term, we also recommend saturating a cotton ball in lemon juice and leaving it in the fridge overnight.  
4. You could also leave an open container of baking soda in the fridge for a day or so – it soaks up odours and keeps your fridge fresh. 

Stinky Sinks

While we use sinks to clean dishes, they can get pretty smelly too—it’s where food scraps build up and residue lingers along the sides, creating an unpleasant surprise every time you get close. 

How to Get Rid of Bad Smells from Your Sink Drain 

1. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the sink drain, followed by the juice of half a lemon, let it sit for 30 minutes, then flush it out with boiling water to break down grime and neutralise odours. 
2. Swap the lemon for a few drops of your favourite essential oil to freshen things up—citrus blends work great for a zesty, clean-smelling kitchen. 
3. Regularly pour boiling water down the drain to sanitise the pipes and clear buildup; next time you make a cup of tea, boil a full kettle and pour it down. 

Foul Toilets

You expect your bathroom to smell clean, but with constant use, it quickly becomes a breeding ground for hidden grime and those stubborn, lingering odours you just can’t seem to shake. 

How to Naturally Clean and Deodorise a Stinky Toilet 

1. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and add 15 drops of your favourite essential oil for a fresh scent. 
2. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, spray around the bowl, and give it a quick scrub with a toilet brush. 
3. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then flush to wash away grime and odours. 
4. For hard water stains, swap baking soda for Borax and give it an extra scrub for a deeper clean. 

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Battle of The Natural Cleaners: Vinegar vs Baking Soda

Musty Carpet, Couch, and Mattress

Carpets, couches, and mattresses can get smelly too! Don’t let your cosy haven turn into an odour trap. Here’s a tip—use baking soda to freshen things up. Just be sure to test the mixture on a hidden spot first to make sure it doesn’t affect the fabric. 

How to Deodorise Your Carpet, Couch, and Mattress Naturally 

1. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove loose dirt and debris. 
2. Mix a few drops of lavender, peppermint, or citrus essential oil with one cup of baking soda. 
3. Sprinkle the mixture over the carpet, couch, and mattress, letting it sit for 30 minutes, or a couple of hours for carpets—just keep kids and pets away during this time. 
4. Finish by giving the mattress, couch, or carpet a thorough vacuum. 

Note: Baking soda is great at absorbing odours, while your essential oil of choice will give your home a lovely, fresh scent. 

Get Rid of Stubborn Stains with Electrodry Upholstery Cleaning

Some stains just won’t budge, no matter how hard you try—but that’s where we come in. At Electrodry, we specialise in tackling even the toughest stains, whether on fabric or leather. If your upholstery needs a deep clean, we’ve got you covered!