Cleaning expert Joy Krause takes the stink out of the air-freshener business by pointing out some clean-air solutions. Commercial air fresheners can be very expensive, contain materials that can prove harmful to the environment and tend to mask odors rather than eliminate them.
Air Neutralizer
- Combine one part white distilled vinegar to five parts water. Pour into a spritzer and spritz in odorous areas.
- Another way to purify the air is to dampen a cotton ball with pure vanilla extract, place in a dish and set in odorous area of the house. A dish with three cotton balls is great for the living room. A room in which heavy smoking occurs might require another dish.
Air Fresheners
- Instead of throwing away candles when they burn down, place them in a heat-resistant container on the coffee maker. Turning the coffee maker on will melt the candles and act as scented potpourri.
- An alternative to buying costly potpourri is to create your own fresh scent. Fill a saucepan half-full with water and place on the stove. Add cloves, cinnamon sticks and orange peels, then bring the liquid to a simmer. As the liquid reduces, just add more water. This smells wonderful and lasts all day.
- Spritz some of your favorite perfume or cologne on a light bulb (when the bulb is cold). Replace the shade and every time the light is turned on a fresh subtle scent will fill the room.
- For the bathroom, dampen a cotton swab with your favorite perfume or cologne and swab the inside of a toilet-paper roll. Each time the toilet paper is rolled, a fresh scent will fill the room.
