Spring is in the air — but over the course of the long dark winter, the air inside might not be fresh.
Household smells, say home economists, should be pinpointed at the source and removed as soon as possible. Some odours do persist however, and others just keep coming back. Periodic odours are often just a symptom of lots of people and pets, living together.
You may, for example, have unwanted smells from food and cooking, or from gym bags, laundry baskets, shoe racks, the dog and cat, the ashtrays, garbage cans, or from an overworked bathroom and busy kitchen. To tackle it all, try these handy little tips, courtesy of the 50-year veteran, Mr. Clean:

• Food & Fridge: You don't have to clean out the fridge completely to keep it odour free, as long as you check it every couple of days to make sure food item (like vegetables and dairy products) are not rotting. Put an open box of baking soda on a rear shelf to help absorb odours the mix of smells.

• Cooking: Use an exhaust fan if cooking strong flavoured foods, such as fish, garlic sauces, and deep green vegetables. Use a citrus-scented, multipurpose spray to clean surfaces. If smells persist inside the microwave, place a dish of water and lemon juice in the centre and heat on High for five minutes.

• Floors: Daily foot traffic, dust and grime, cigarette smoke, pet hairs and pet accidents — all add up to odour. Some floor cleaners smell good, but the effects don't last long. Do note, that the pleasing Febreze scent is now added to Mr. Clean. Used on floors especially, it will help to eliminate odours in the air.

• Kitchen Sink: If there's odour from your drainpipe, pour one cup of a favourite antibacterial liquid into the plughole, leave it overnight, and rinse thoroughly. Coffee grinds are also good for cutting drainpipe grease. Just tip them from the filter into the drain, and flush through. • Toilets: Once the toilet is thoroughly clean, put a disinfectant product inside for good measure. Keep a dispenser of thick and strong wet wipes nearby to quickly clean the rim at the end of a busy day.

• Pets: The hair and body oil of dogs and cats can cause strong odours. For pet accidents, clean up with either your favourite all-purpose spray, with antibacterial wet wipes, or with a disinfectant, liquid cleaner with Febreze scent.

Credit: www.newscanada.com