Stop Bad Odors at Home: Our Best Tips

Of course, the “smell industry” offers a wide range of products based on chemicals that can be harmful to health… But thankfully, there are simple, affordable, and natural ways to get rid of bad odors in the home while protecting indoor air quality.

For every bad odor, there is a solution!

No need to haul out industrial deodorizing products at the first whiff. Most of them mask smells with synthetic fragrances without addressing the real issue. First, identify the source of the bad odor to find the right solution and neutralize the bacteria responsible.

The Odors from the Sink and Drains

Classic and effective, here’s a simple natural trick. If your kitchen sink is giving off a strong, unpleasant odor, pour in used coffee grounds and let a stream of hot water run through it. This helps drive away odor backflow without clogging your drain.

For tougher buildup from grease, pour in half a cup of coarse salt and half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then add a glass of hot white vinegar: let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with boiling water.

Food Containers

Sure, glass jars are the safest food containers to preserve your provisions, but that doesn’t mean they won’t hold onto odors (tomato sauce, garlic, onion, spices).

For jars that have held sauces or other foods and carry a somewhat doubtful odor, pour a little white vinegar into the container. Add hot water, close, and invert the jar. Leave overnight, and the next day the odors will be gone. Rinse the container thoroughly with hot water.

Odors in the Fridge: Not a Foregone Conclusion!

If every time you open the door to your refrigerator, you get hit with some stubborn smells, try this very easy trick: pour a little milk (or white vinegar) into a small dish and place it at the back of the fridge.

You can also use the same method with baking soda or activated charcoal briquettes in this spot. These ingredients absorb odors. But remember to replace the contents of the dish regularly (every 3–4 weeks). The trick also works well for old furniture or closet spaces for shoes.

Baking Soda Against Bad Odors, and Other Simple Remedies

Do your clothes smell like stale tobacco smoke? Put them near a heat source (radiator or similar) overnight, or hang them to air out. Heat will help dissipate the odor. Even better!

If you’re hosting guests who smoke, sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, and couches, and wait a few minutes (or overnight if the smell is ingrained) before vacuuming, to prevent your home’s textiles from absorbing cigarette smoke.

A spray bottle filled with a mixture of water and white vinegar can be put to use in many kitchen tasks:

• After cooking, lingering smells of grease or smoke can fill the house. If you don’t like it, pour a little white vinegar into a small dish in the room, or boil water with some vinegar and a whole clove to purify the air.
• When handling certain foods (garlic, onion, fish), your hands can retain their odor. To fix this, rub your hands with half a lemon, a bit of toothpaste, or simply rub them under cold running water against a stainless steel utensil.

Odors in the Living Room and Laundry Room

• To keep your cat litter smelling fresh, line the bottom of the box with a little baking soda before adding the litter, or dust with baby talcum powder when you change it: the unpleasant odor will disappear.

• Stained laundry hampers can also emit damp odors. To fix this, sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the bin. For the washing machine, run a 60°C cycle with 1 liter of white vinegar once a month to prevent tank mold.
• If you’ve just repainted your walls and the smell bothers you, place several bowls of warm milk or raw onion slices in the room… They will help quickly absorb solvents’ odors.
• In the trash can: place two tablespoons of baking soda or a few drops of tea tree essential oil on a cotton ball at the bottom under the bag to curb fermentations.

---

To go further:

Article republished November 2026