As helpful as plumbers and handymen are during frustrating times, most minor problems that arise in your home can be fixed by yourself. The issues could range from something as minute as a squeaky door and a stained carpet to more serious ones like foul-smelling dishwashers to broken windows.
Whatever your trouble may be, there's a good chance of finding a DIY solution on the Internet. Luckily, you don't have to go looking because we have very valuable hacks for 50 widespread problems that can occur in your house. These are affordable alternatives to paying a professional and certainly won't hurt to know. Read on to find out!
Get Rid Of Kitchen Grease From Walls
As cautious as you may be when cooking, grease splashing or dripping on your kitchen walls is inevitable. It's gross and unappealing to the eyes but isn't as bad as it sounds because a couple of items in your pantry can get rid of them.
If the stain doesn't look too harsh, you can attempt to wipe it with a solution of dish soap and warm water. However, if that doesn't do it, a third of a cup of white vinegar and two-thirds of a cup of water mixed together should do the trick, according to House Logic.
Remove Pet Odors From Fabric Surfaces
Despite the unlimited cuddles, memories, and loyalty that you can get from a pet, they do come with a fair share of maintenance. It may not be as complicated as having kids, but like them, fur babies take time to learn to do their business in the rightful places.
This means you may end up having pet urine on your carpets or simply surfaces with bad pet odor. Don't sweat! Just sprinkle baking soda on the affected area of the carpet. Don't forget to be generous with it. Then, allow it to sit overnight, absorbing the nasty odor, and vacuum the following day. Remember to keep your pet away during the whole process.
Detail-Clean The Interior Of A Car
If you're a car owner, we don't have to tell you how expensive cleaning can be, especially interior detailing. What if we were to tell you that you could do it yourself? You'd be surprised at how easy it is.
In an empty spray bottle, mix equal parts of vinegar and water and spray on the vehicle's interior surfaces. Use a cloth (preferably microfibre if you want to banish dust) to wipe dry the surfaces. If you're going with a real intense cleaning, use a wet Q-tip to reach tiny spaces around buttons and slots in the AC vents. You could finish by using a car air freshener.
Clean Bathroom Mold And Mildew Smell
In case you didn't already know, mildew is a type of fungus that grows in conditions where water, soap scum, and body oils accumulate. It usually occurs when surfaces are left wet, and therefore, the shower is one of its favorite spots.
If you start to notice moldy stains on your bathroom walls and surfaces, dilute a tablespoon of white vinegar with a quart of water and spray over the affected areas. If the smell is from the P-trap (that's the U-shaped pipes in toilets and under sinks,) pour half a cup of baking soda and an equal amount of distilled vinegar down the drain, leave for some time, and flush with water.
Keep Furniture From Scratching Floors
Everyone likes to live in a beautiful home. However, one of the problems that can take the beauty away from a house is scratched floors (hardwood or tiled). Even though not pushing and dragging furniture can prevent it, sometimes, heavy fittings need to be moved around the house.
One of the best solutions for this dilemma is utilizing a small soft rug. You can place the carpet under the legs or the parts of the furniture touching the floor and simply glide it over to its new location. Not only will this avoid scratches, but the moving process will be much less tiresome.
DIY Furniture Polish
The saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is getting pretty old now. What if you could make something better than sweet lemon juice? Well, you're in the right place because you're about to find out how to make furniture polish with this citrus fruit.
To make a DIY polish that is ideal for wooden furniture, mix two parts of vinegar (natural germ-killer), two parts olive oil (conditioner), and one part lemon juice (stain-removing citric acid). Try it and have your mind blown! Just remember that this is best for wooden furniture. Using it on hardwood floors could be hazardous due to the greasiness of the olive oil.
Polish Silver Items
There's a good chance that you have at least one or two silver products at home. It could be anything from jewelry to cutlery to crockery. The only problem with owning silver products is that they tarnish over time, making them appear dull, and are quite a chore to clean.
Today's your lucky day because we'll tell you how to make your silver look brand new again with one ingredient—non-gel toothpaste. Firstly, wet the silver items and apply the toothpaste. Next, rub it gently using a soft cloth. You could use a soft-bristled brush to get to the stubborn areas. Repeat as much as needed before rinsing and drying.
Clean Chrome Items
People don't generally wonder about things like faucets, showerheads, car parts, or how to clean them until they have dirt build-up. It could be soap remains or calcium deposits; either way, it is frustrating not to know how to polish them back to a decent state.
Luckily, dryer sheets, which typically only costs a few bucks, are here to help. All you have to do is lightly wet the chrome surface and rub the sheet until the surface is clean and shiny. Note that this could work on stainless steel surfaces as well.
Polish Copper Items
Since we've already told you how to preserve your silverware, it's only right that we do the same with copper. There's more than one way, and therefore, you can pick the most convenient. The simplest method is to use a solution of three parts lemon juice and one part salt to wipe the copper clean.
However, according to Leslie Reichert on Martha Stewart's website, soaking larger copper items in a mixture of three cups of boiling water, a cup of vinegar, and at least one tablespoon of salt will remove tarnish. To keep the items from staining in the future, you can rub baby, mineral, or olive oil on the surface.
Make Your Microwave Squeaky Clean
As microwaves have been a piece of mandatory kitchen equipment for decades, people have discovered creative ways to clean them. If you don't do it right, things could get messy really quickly. That's the last thing you need, so let's look at the most effective microwave cleaning methods.
Mixing water with either vinegar or lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl and turning it on for five minutes can mellow down all the grime inside. However, you must remember to leave the bowl for at least 15 minutes before wiping (after the timer goes off) for two reasons. First, to allow the magic to happen, and second, because it's scalding.
Repair Damages In Plaster Walls
As your house gets old, it isn't rare for its walls and structure to face damages, which can sometimes come in the shape of holes. These can cause you a lot of stress because handymen don't come cheap. Luckily, you can fix them yourself.
You can start by lathering several layers of spackle on the plaster walls. Once you notice the hole is filled sufficiently, go over with fine-grit sandpaper to smoothen the surface. You can finish off by painting over it, giving your house a brand new look and feel.
Fix Holes On Drywall
Now that you learned to fix plaster walls let us tell you how to repair drywall if the need ever arises. Well, it isn't very different from the process of fixing plaster walls. The holes on drywall can form with something as simple as nails and screws. They're small in size, but the scar they leave could make you restless.
A former carpenter shared his tips for fixing drywall with Business Insider. According to him, you must remove any dust and debris from the hole before using a putty knife to fill it with spackle paste. Soften with a medium grit sanding sponge, and don't forget to wear a mask.
Wash Vinyl Siding
If you didn't already know, vinyl siding is the plastic siding on the outside of houses that are used for purposes like decorating, weatherproofing, and imitating wooden clapboard. Since they are on the home's exterior, dust particles, pollen, dirt, mold, and mildew can accumulate on its surface.
Somehow, the process of cleaning them isn't as hard as one would imagine. You can simply create a 70% water 30% vinegar mixture to wash the dirt off the siding. However, if the grime is too stubborn, you can opt for a stronger solution by replacing the vinegar with laundry detergent, household cleaner, and liquid laundry bleach. Remember to run water down after scrubbing.
Install A Semi-Permanent Hinge
If you have any doors or windows in your house that wasn't initially meant to be shut permanently, but you now need to find a way to keep them closed, we have the perfect solution for you. You'll have to make a quick trip to the hardware store to get a hook-and-eye latch.
You can decide where on the door or window you'd like it and measure so that the hook goes on the same level on the frame as the eye does on the door. Next, attach the hook and eye accordingly, and you'll have yourself a permanent hinge that can be taken off as you please.
Reset A Cold Electrical Outlet Into A Warm One
After a certain amount of time following installation, electrical outlets can release cold air instead of warm. This could mean that there's a leak, which makes cold air enters the house while leaking warm air out. Instead of regular spray foam, you'll need to get your hands on an intumescent fire-blocking caulk or foam.
According to Family Handyman, you must fill the gaps using the foam, seal the wires and around the flush-mounted boxes, and close with a large electrical cover plate. Secure the box back, and you'll be warm and good to go.
Temporary Fix For A Hole In The Wall
We have already looked at covering holes in both plaster and drywall. In this case, we're going to take you through a quick yet temporary fix for one. For instance, say you have visitors coming over for dinner, and you really need to cover a damaged spot on your kitchen wall. You can place a spice rack over the damage and end up with a stylish, functional kitchen instead of a shabby one.
If the blemished wall is somewhere else in the house, perhaps you could cover it with a framed picture. After a while, you can permanently fix the spots by following the steps (as mentioned above).
Baby Proof Table And Floor Lamps
If you are a first-time parent with a baby who is just beginning to crawl and explore things around the house, the fear will start to set in. You'll have to baby proof the house, and among the many items that need proofing will be electrical items like lamps.
You can start with an inexpensive option—cable ties—which will hold the electric cables in a safe and unreachable spot. Next, you can purchase socket protectors to keep your toddler from touching the power outlets. It's best to make sure a heavy object is blocking access to electronic equipment anyway.
Mend The Broken Handle Of A Bucket
The whole point of owning a bucket is the convenience of carrying substances inside it. The plastic containers that we usually have lying around in our household can become useless in a matter of seconds if the handle fractures or disintegrates.
However, instead of throwing the whole container out, you can fix the handle in a few easy steps. Firstly, get your hands on a piece of hose that matches the length of the handle and make a cut across it. Then, secure it on the handle, wrap duct tape around to bind it in place, and you'll have a fully functional bucket once again.
Cancel A Scratch On A CD
Compact discs may no longer be a thing, but that doesn't mean you cannot preserve the ones you've had for so long. Younger generations may not know what they are, but the rest knows how fragile and easily-scratched they are.
If you own an important CD that doesn't play past a certain point due to a scratch, grab some mild toothpaste from the bathroom and lather it over the scratch with a few drops of water. Use a soft cloth and rub it in tender motions. Then, rinse the disk until the scar is no more. You can replace the toothpaste with Vaseline, chapstick, furniture wax, etc.
Patch Up A Rust Hole In The Floorboard Of A Vehicle
Not everyone can afford brand new vehicles. In fact, some can hardly afford one at all. If you are the owner of a car that has been around for many years, it could start giving you trouble quite frequently. On the rare occasion, you could even come across rust holes in its floorboard.
If a person owns a ride that's giving so much trouble, chances are, they can't afford the services of an auto repair shop. Fortunately, you can do it yourself. Start by cutting out the rust and making a patch with sheet metal. Weld it from both the exterior and interior using a mig welder before finishing with paint.
Fix A Leaking Tap
A leaky tap is a plumbing malfunction that you'll come across at least a couple of times in your lifetime. While the periodic dripping sound is irritating, it will be the least of your problems when the water bill rockets, or worse—cause property damage.
Luckily, you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on a plumber because fixing a leaky tap can be a DIY project. Start by turning off the water supply and unscrewing and disassembling the tap. Replace the cartridge, rubber washer, and O-ring before putting it all together again. Good as new!
Clean A Toilet Bowl Without Strong Chemicals
If you ever run out of bleach or other toilet cleaning products, or you just prefer not to use any store-bought chemical products, today is your lucky day. Did you know you could get a squeaky clean toilet bowl with two ingredients from your pantry? Well, you guessed them right—vinegar and baking soda.
The two combined create a carbonic acid, which is ideal for a stained toilet bowl. Start by pouring roughly one cup of vinegar into the toilet, followed by three tablespoons of baking soda. Go in with another two cups of vinegar and let it fizz. Lastly, scrub with a toilet brush, flush it, and be proud of the result.
Seal A Leaky Pipe Temporarily
Aging and corrosion can eat away at your pipes, causing leaks at the most inconvenient of times. However, you can't ignore the drippings as it could lead to more serious damage. You may not be able to permanently fix the problem right away, but that doesn't mean there's no temporary fix.
Take a walk around the house and gather as many rubber bands as you can find. Locate the opening/leak on the pipe and cover it with multiple rubber bands until it's fully sealed, and therefore, is no longer dripping. Don't forget that this is only a temporary fix.
Clean A Sticky Wooden Surface
It could be the sticky residue of the finishing or grime build-up from food deposits—either way, a sticky table (or any wooden surface) is never a good impression to someone visiting your household. Fortunately, there's a simple hack you can follow to clean up the sticky table.
Start by wiping the surface. Secondly, mix equal parts of water and vinegar to scrub the table in gentle motions. Finish by wiping with water and a clean cloth and letting dry. If the residue on the wooden surface is more stubborn, Murphy Oil Soap is most likely your go-to option.
Mend A Sticky Lock
As crucial as locks are to safeguard houses and their residents, the majority of people don't take them seriously or even consider their maintenance until they stop functioning as intended. It's only then that they realize the importance of locks. A common issue is sticky locks although, there are plenty of quick fixes for it.
For starters, you can try by lathering a little graphite powder on the key. A second option would be rubbing the lead point of a pencil on the key's outer surface. Squirting GT85 lubricating spray directly into the lock may help. If that doesn't work, you can always call a locksmith.
Unscrew A Rusted Nail
If you're about to start fixing up very old bits and pieces around the house, the chances of you coming across at least a couple of corroded nails are high. If there's ever the need to unscrew them, going straight at it with a screwdriver won't help.
You will first have to get rid of the rust, which isn't as challenging as you'd think. Start by cracking the rust with a few swift hammer blows. Then, prepare a solution with equal parts nail polish remover and transmission fluid or sewing machine oil. Apply the mix generously and let soak before proceeding with a few extra hammer blows. Finally, unscrew!
Extract A Broken Key From A Keyhole
Consider yourself lucky if you've never had to deal with a key that broke inside the keyhole, halfway into locking/unlocking the door. It does happen more frequently than you think and is a nightmare to deal with—until now.
If you ever become the victim of an unfortunate situation as such, spray some penetrating oil into the hole. With the help of a pair of pliers, get a good grip of the broken key before pulling it out really carefully. This method would be perfect if the key broke at its head. Hopefully, you won't ever have to face such a dilemma.
Restore Chipped Porcelain
A household can have several porcelain items—from the bathtub and sink to tiles and plates. Unless received as a gift, people who own these items would have paid extra money because they are pretty expensive compared to other ceramics.
When using porcelain items on repeat, they are bound to wear and even chip in some places. However, that doesn't mean it's ruined for good. All you need is some nail polish, and you can mend it yourself. Start by cleaning the surface with soap and water, and then apply a few coats of nail lacquer on the chipped porcelain item until you don't see the nick anymore.
Fix Torn Vinyl
Vinyl flooring may not be as common as it used to be, but some buildings still have them. As with everything else, they can come with their fair share of problems like discoloration, scratches, tearing, and peeling.
If you ever come across torn vinyl, your first thought would be to replace it. However, there's a simple fix. First, use a hairdryer to heat the torn spot, and once warm and pliable, pull together the two sides to close the gap. Secondly, go with acrylic cement over it and place a heavy object until dry. If you still see a slight gap, cover it with matching nail polish.
Heal A Scratch/Minor Crack On A Mirror
A scratch or a minor crack on a mirror can often be remedied with the help of household items. You can try these quick fixes before seeking help from a professional. A simple yet well-known solution is rubbing the scratch with toothpaste. Use non-gel toothpaste, and you might just end up with an unblemished mirror.
Next, you could give a jewelry-polishing compound (cerium oxide) a try. Clear nail polish is also an affordable alternative that you can apply and wipe the excess away. Last but not least, you could try applying a paste made with dry mustard and white vinegar.
Heal Scratches On Walls
You could be an obsessive cleaner who tries to keep things in order constantly, but there's no avoiding the mysterious scratches and scuffs that seem to appear on walls and floors out of the blue. Luckily, there are simple solutions.
You can start by trying a homemade solution that has proven effective in the past. Simply mix equal parts of vinegar and olive oil and spray on the damaged surface. Leave overnight before wiping off and repeat as many times as needed until the scratch disappears. You can also try a baking soda and water mixture, toothpaste, or WD-40.
Dry Off Water-Soaked Carpet
If you live in a carpeted house and not one with tiled or hardwood floors, cleaning it can be quite a chore, especially if you spill something wet or something that can leave a stain. For example, if you had some bathroom or kitchen flooding. We all know that the longer it's left wet, the more chances there are for mold and mildew to form.
If you own a wet vacuum, of course, you can go over it right away. Otherwise, directing airflow to the wet spot to banish the odor and moisture will most likely do the trick. Turn fans on and leave windows open for quicker drying.
Remove Stains From A Carpet
Let's continue the last point, but instead of water, say the carpet is stained with something more damaging like food, coffee, or even blood. A speedy and easy fix is scattering baking soda over the stains, spreading with a soft brush, and finely vacuuming the area after 30 minutes.
However, if the stain is a stubborn one, this next tip might help. Get a spray bottle, fill it with a quarter cup of white vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap, and fill with water. Spray onto absorbent cloths and blot the stain with a clean, dry towel until the stain is removed. Finally, dry with paper towels.
Stretch A Wrinkled Carpet
You may have just moved into your home or lived there for several years when you start to notice wrinkles, ripples, and bulges on your carpeted floors. The reason is possibly improper installation or wear and tear. Not only does it make your house look unattractive, but it also poses a risk of tripping and injury.
To settle wrinkles, you could rent a carpet stretcher and a knee-kicker, which, according to Bob Vila, costs around $40. Stretch the carpet by pulling towards the wall and pushing down from the stretcher. Trim the excess carpet with a blade, and you're good to go.
Remove Water Stains From Carpet
While wet vacuuming can absorb water from carpets, there's no saying if it can still leave a stain. Yes, water stains sometimes. To get rid of it, you can dilute equal parts of vinegar and water and soak a clean cloth in the mixture.
Follow up by squeezing the excess and dabbing on the stained spot. Make sure you do so lightly as not to get the carpet wetter than it already was. You'll notice the stain fade gradually, and the science behind it is pretty interesting. The pH level of the vinegar absorbs the water stain from the edges.
Tips To Dry Damp Carpet
Regardless of whether it's a dishwashing detergent mixture or a vinegar solution that removes stains, they will still leave your carpets quite damp. The remains of moisture are sufficient for mold and mildew to form, making your home smell unbearable.
Before it arrives at this worsened state, there are a few steps you can take. You can pour baking soda liberally on the damp area as it is a great moisture absorber and odor neutralizer. You can also place stand fans opposite the windows and direct the odor out while also drying up the damp spots.
Wash And Disinfect Carpet
It doesn't always have to be food or drink stains, but carpets can also discolor with dust and dirt buildup over time. If you don't own a steam cleaner or can't afford to rent one, you can do it yourself, although, we must warn you—it could be a whole workout!
To disinfect and clean the fibers of a carpet, mix white vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio and grab a scrubbing brush. Dip the brush in the solution and massage over the fibers. Use a clean cloth to absorb the excess moisture, and follow our previous guides to dry the carpet quickly.
Remove Scratches From Wooden Furniture
As the years go by, the furniture in your home will begin to show signs of wear and tear. Scratches are among the most common and frequent occurrences that can sometimes go so far as to make you want to discard the furniture.
However, before you make any rash decisions, try these simple steps to fix them. First, you can go easy and brew a strong cup of tea and swab it over the scratches with a Q-tip. You can also try iodine, wax crayons of matching color, watercolor paint, varnish, and even instant coffee.
Erase Stains On Wooden Surfaces
There are times when you just cannot find a coaster, forcing you to leave a hot cup of coffee or a wet glass bare on a wooden surface (most likely a table). Evidently, this can leave all kinds of spots and marks on the furniture and make your stress levels shoot through the roof.
Well, today's your lucky day because we'll tell you just how to get rid of those pesky circular white scars. Try either a paste of baking soda and water, or you could try non-gel toothpaste and rub it in circular motions on the stain using a sponge.
Temporarily Fix Broken Windows
You could have been the victim of an unfortunate theft or an accident that has left your car or house window shattered. If you don't have the means to get it professionally fixed right away, this temporary solution could be a lifesaver.
Start by putting on a thick pair of work gloves because you're about to work with broken glass. Remove the glass pieces, gently break those that are still attached, and vacuum up the small bits. Line the area with plastic wrap and secure it with tape. You can go over with a second layer depending on the weather and the number of days it needs to hold.
Easy Fix To A Squeaky Door
What are squeaky doors, if not a part of day-to-day life? We come across them so often that it should be a rule for everyone to learn how to fix them. Don't worry because it doesn't always require a box of tools.
Every man, woman, and teenager can fix a squeak with this simple trick. Locate the cooking spray in your pantry and spray it on the hinges on the noisy door. Swing the door back and forth, allowing the oil to settle into the nooks and crannies. Finally, wipe away any excess oil before it becomes grimy. No more squeaks!
Fix A Difficult Drawer With Baby Powder
Did you know that baby powder is an inexpensive and nifty thing that is worth having in your home even though you don't have a baby? You could use it as a substitute for dry shampoo, to keep ants away, and keep your foot sweat and odors at bay.
In this case, we'll look at how it can help with troublesome drawers that require a warm-up to open and close. Simply sprinkle some beneath the drawers for smoother gliding, and, ta-da! It will also make the drawers smell nice, eliminating that musty old wooden smell.
Clean A Foul-Smelling Dishwasher
Despite cleaning the dishwasher as frequently as recommended, it could develop a foul smell over time. It could mostly be due to the food particles accumulated in the drain, which are deteriorating and emitting a nasty odor.
In addition to the routine cleanup, you can add this simple step to fight the stench. After unloading the dishes, fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with a cup of white vinegar and place it on the bottom rack of the machine. Run a very hot cycle and then remove the dish. Lastly, sprinkle a cup of baking soda inside the dishwasher and run a short but super hot cycle once more.
Cleanse A Refrigerator Filter
A refrigerator is undoubtedly one of the household's mandatory appliances and should be treated with care because of the hefty price tag. One of the best ways to avoid any damage and ensure long-lasting functionality is to change or clean the filter, which tends to keep contaminants away.
If the filter (generally located at the back and base of the fridge) doesn't look bad enough to need replacement, you can clean the same one properly and place it back. After discarding the waste it's gathered, let it soak in a mild cleaner like rubbing alcohol or vinegar before rinsing. Let dry and return to its usual place.
Put Together A DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Since you've come this far on this list, you should already know that vinegar is a mild acid, natural disinfectant, and, therefore, a frequently used cleaning agent around the house. There are several ways to whip up cleaning solutions with vinegar, but it usually depends on what you clean.
However, if you are on the lookout for a natural all-purpose cleaning solution, note down the following. Mix half a cup of vinegar and a teaspoon of castile soap with two cups of distilled water in an empty spray bottle. You have the option of adding a few drops of any essential oil to add a fragrance.
Get Rid Of Bad-Smells In The Washing Machine
By now, you should have a pretty good idea about mold and mildew and how they're formed. Even though you might assume a washing machine should smell fresh because nice-smelling clothes come out of it, it could exude a musty and mildewy smell instead.
The last thing you need is for your garments to come out stinky, which is why we suggest you try the following. According to Pop Sugar, place a mix of a quarter cup of baking soda and an equal amount of water in the detergent dispenser. Follow up by pouring two cups of vinegar into the drum and running a regular washing cycle.
Clean A Bathtub Effortlessly
Some of the household chores that you do can do a number on your body physically. Take scrubbing and cleaning the bathtub, for example. The constant bent-down stature can hurt a person's back, which is why everyone should know this trick to be safe from future back pain.
All you need is liquid dish soap and a broomstick with a long handle. Splash the dishwashing liquid abundantly across the bathtub and brush it with the broom while standing up. Let the broomstick do the dirty work and watch as every speck of dirt, grime, and mildew disappear.
Fix A Leaky Toilet
A toilet isn't something that would frequently cause problems at home, but on the rare occasion that it does, your stress levels can shoot through the roof. This is especially the case if you only have one toilet in your home.
If you're looking at a leaky toilet base, you should stop using it immediately until it's fixed. The problem could most likely be loose closet bolts, which you can tighten with a putty knife or slotted screwdriver after removing the caps. If this doesn't stop the dripping, you may have to replace the wax ring, which isn't too difficult either.
Clean A Stinky Kitchen Sink
Wherever there is food involved, the development of a foul smell can be unavoidable. The kitchen sink is no stranger to this theory. The food scrap buildup can turn into one rotten mess in the pipes over time, and once again, the two most common household cleaning ingredients are here to save the day.
Start by throwing a good amount (most likely a handful) of baking soda down the drain. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes without water and follow with a half cup of vinegar. You'll notice bubbles foaming and a chemical reaction taking place. Pour down some boiling water, and it'll be as good as new.
Clean A Bad-Smelling Refrigerator
Another place that holds a lot of fresh, cooked, and opened food, is the refrigerator. Therefore, you can't be surprised if it begins to smell not-so-fresh as days and weeks go by. To kill the smell inside your fridge, sprinkle baking soda across the shelves and leave for three days before cleaning out with water.
It does sound messy. If the work seems too much, you can just leave an opened box of baking soda inside the fridge for three days instead. It will still do the job of absorbing the bad smell.
Keep A Trash Can From Stinking
Pretty much all of us use bin liners in our trash cans before it gets filled to the brim with garbage. However, you may have noticed that the liner doesn't keep the bin from producing a nasty odor as time passes.
It's not your fault, and you can totally keep the stink away by following this one simple step. Get a stale slice of bread and soak it in vinegar. Next, leave it inside the liner-less trash can overnight. If you're worried about a mess, place it on top of a parchment or paper towel. Remove the bread in the morning and place a bin liner as you normally would.
Maintain A Clean Dishwasher
Remember when we discussed how to remove a foul smell from the dishwasher? Well, here are a few steps you can regularly follow to keep it from stinking in the first place. You can start by removing scraps of food every day.
Weekly, you can use a damp sponge to wipe residual spots and splashes on the surface, doors, handles, etc. You can also add removing and cleaning the filter to this weekly routine. Finally, you can go about with the vinegar solution (as mentioned before) to give it a detailed cleanse every month.