Over the last few weeks I have become absolutely obsessed with do it yourself solutions for home maintenance. The search for these ideas began after I was in need for a method of getting rid of a smell that I was not particularly a fan of. I did not feel like braving the cold weather to purchase a spray product and knew that no spray could defeat the odor. Therefore, I knew I had to do what I do best and be a problem solver; after removing the trash that was causing the smell I took to the internet in search of a deodorizer that I could make with things I had around the house, marking the beginning of a new money saving era for me.
STOVE TOP SIMMER
I recall hearing some friends of mine talking about simmering certain cleaning products on the stove such as Fabuloso and Pine Sol to freshen their homes, and that gave me the idea to take a similar route. However, the recipe I came across involved other items; Filling a pot 3/4th water, I added in lemon slices, about 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and 1/8th of a cup of Pine Sol, I was able to achieve an amazing and long lasting scent in my home. The key is to bring the pot to a boil and then let the ingredients simmer for a few hours. This method allowed me to achieve a scent in my home that no spray could have.
ESSENTIAL OIL BLISS
Essential oils have an extremely potent scent and can freshen up even the most awful of odors and leave a really long lasting aroma. There are two things I do with essential oils regularly. My favorite is putting a few drops on each piece of furniture every day; this habit keeps my home smelling amazing for hours and I only have to do it once a day unless I want to continue to keep the scent going at maximum potency for a longer period of time. The second thing I enjoy doing with essential oils the most is creating a spray freshener from them. I fill a medium sized spray bottle with water and add about 20-25 drops of essential oil for an air freshener I simply cannot get enough of. Make sure the bottle you use sprays the contents in a misty fashion opposed to a stream so the spray disperses with a wide range and can simply fall to the surface.
VACUUM
One of the vacuuming tips I love to use is something I mentioned in a previous article about DIY home maintenance solutions. If you have carpet in your home it is essential that you take care of it, even more so if you do not have a no shoes policy in your home. Our shoes carry dirt and filth from everywhere they’ve been and leave that dirt in the carpet. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain a clean carpet. When I vacuum, I make sure to do so after allowing baking soda to settle for 30 minutes. For an even more revitalizing scent, I put a few drops in to filter of my vacuum, which disperses a glorious scent every time I vacuum.
BAKING SODA AND ESSENTIAL OIL DEODORIZER
Another habit of mine for deodorizing my home lies yet again in the power of baking soda. If you have any candles that have been depleted, I encourage you not to throw them away. Simply fill the glass with baking soda and add a few drops of essential oil and you have yourself an odor eliminating, aromatic air freshener. As an added bonus, instead of spending money over and over again for other air freshening products, you can purchase a bottle of essential oils and a box of baking soda for a combined price of five to 11 dollars, depending ono the oil you get. Not only do you now have an incredible deodorizer, but you save yourself quite a bit of money in the long run.
