When Americans were surveyed to determine the five worst home Don’t cover up, clean up. Here’s how.Click to read our 'Odor' entry for more information & tips...">odors, more than eight out of 10 said rotting garbage or "Clean right after trash collection to remove odors.Click to read our 'Garbage can' entry for more information & tips...">garbage can" odor is the most offensive household smell. Rounding out the top five, in order, were pet odors, The term is interchangeable with “mildew.” However, mold can be very destructive to the home itself.Click to read our 'Mold' entry for more information & tips...">mold, body odor/sweat and tobacco odor. Nearly 70 percent of all respondents ranked these five domestic smells as the worst, with significantly more women (75 percent) turning their noses up at tobacco odors as compared to men (59 percent).

Naturally, the best way to prevent odor is to eliminate its source (e.g., take out the garbage, smoke or keep No question about it, pets can be a joy, but they will add to the housekeeping load.Click to read our 'Pets' entry for more information & tips...">pets outside), but what about existing odors already permeating your home?

Carpet and Vacuuming is your first line of defense against big cleaning hassles.Click to read our 'Upholstery' entry for more information & tips...">upholstery are examples of porous materials that may harbor and emit odors. Rather than covering offensive smells with deodorizing sprays or powders, consider greener solutions.

Sprinkling This mild abrasive is also a decent deodorizer.Click to read our 'Baking soda' entry for more information & tips...">baking soda on carpet or Vacuuming is your first line of defense against big cleaning hassles.Click to read our 'Upholstery' entry for more information & tips...">upholstery and vacuuming can eliminate odors through adsorption (spelled with a "d" because odor molecules adhereto the This mild abrasive is also a decent deodorizer.Click to read our 'Baking soda' entry for more information & tips...">baking soda particles, and vacuuming removes the baking soda along with the odor source).

Since the biggest odor complaints often originate from the tiniest particles - and often reappear after traditional remedies such as air fresheners or They create a warm, cozy atmosphere — and present some hazards as well.Click to read our 'Candles' entry for more information & tips...">candles lose their strength - using a particle-form adsorbent such as baking soda can help neutralize odors by bonding with odors so after you remove the baking soda they’re gone for good.

Vacuuming with a A term relating to filter effectiveness. HEPA filtration removes 99.97 percent of all particles 0.3 microns and larger. Click to read our 'HEPA' entry for more information & tips...">HEPA or other effective filter helps to remove and trap particles such as pet Control shedding where it starts – on your dog or cat – with regular brushing.Click to read our 'Dander' entry for more information & tips...">dander, pet hair, human skin flakes, The term is interchangeable with “mildew.” However, mold can be very destructive to the home itself.Click to read our 'Mold' entry for more information & tips...">mold spores, dust and other allergens - microscopic or tiny fragments that generate VOCs through bacterial activity and other biological processes - helping to deodorize your home.

Other Odor RemediesOther ways to deodorize your house include:• Open a box of baking soda and place it on a shelf in the room.• Wash dish Some cleaning tools need cleaning themselves. This is one.Click to read our 'Sponge' entry for more information & tips...">sponges in the While not high-maintenance, it does need occasional care.Click to read our 'Dishwasher' entry for more information & tips...">dishwasher.• Mix two teaspoons of baking soda with two cups of This is the universal solvent for cleaning.Click to read our 'Water' entry for more information & tips...">water in a trigger Keeping a clean house would be a lot harder without these handy tools.Click to read our 'Spray bottle' entry for more information & tips...">spray A bottle brush on a long wire handle is an indispensable tool. Click to read our 'Bottle' entry for more information & tips...">bottle and spray the room with the mixture whenever it needs it.• Sprinkle baking soda in Clean right after trash collection to remove odors.Click to read our 'Garbage can' entry for more information & tips...">garbage cans, diaper pails, They'll last a long time with proper care.Click to read our 'Boots' entry for more information & tips...">boots and litter boxes, too.• If you have a garbage disposer, put lemon or orange rinds down it every month or so.• Clean out the refrigerator regularly to remove old food and put a new, open box of baking soda in every four months.