Nobody wants to deal with stubborn odours in their home, not least in their fridge. Unfortunately, spoiled food, spills, and smelly leftovers could all contribute to an unappealing scent—the type you’d rather avoid when you’re preparing an appetising meal.
Thankfully, a professional cleaner has revealed her top tips for tackling odours in the home and what to do about common problem areas, such as your fridge. According to the expert, something as simple as a two-ingredient spray could be the solution, and you likely already have all the items you need in your cupboard.
Kellsie Cleaning Tutorials is a popular content creator on TikTok, where Kellsie regularly shares advice with her 270,000 followers as @zapatas_cleaningservices. In a recent post, the expert shared four tips she often uses at work, and she claims they work better than scented products, such as candles.
The expert said: “As a pro cleaner, these are four tricks I swear by for smelly spots in the home. They work way better than candles or sprays and they’re quick fixes you can try today.”
In her video, Kellsie continued: “As a professional cleaner I get asked all the time how do you get rid of stubborn odours in the home so here are four tricks for smelly spots that most people don’t know about.”
For her first tip, Kellsie tackled the food odours that are sometimes found in fridges. She advised: “If your fridge stinks, don’t just toss old food.
“Take everything out, wipe down the shelves and drawers, then here’s the secret: mix vanilla extract with water and a spray bottle. Wipe every surface and don’t rinse. Vanilla keeps deodorising so your fridge smells fresh long after you’re done cleaning.”
The second tip can also help improve the scent in your kitchen, as the expert focused on smelly microwaves. Luckily for homeowners, the method doesn’t involve any scrubbing.
Kellsie suggested: “For a burnt or fishy-smelling microwave, water alone won’t cut it. To deodorise, mix 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water and half a cup lemon or lime juice in a microwave-safe bowl, microwave it for five minutes, let it sit for ten then wipe. The steam loosens grime, the vinegar pulls the odour, and the citrus leaves it fresh. It’s like a deep clean and deodoriser in one without any scrubbing.”
Next, the professional cleaner recommended OdoBan for pet owners looking to clean bedding and toys. Kellsie told viewers: “My go to is OdoBan, but remember it’s not a detergent. Add your regular detergent then pour about a fourth a cup of OdoBan into the fabric softener dispenser, wash like normal, and everything comes out clean and odour-free.” Always remember to check ingredients before using cleaning products near your pets or on their items.
Lastly, the cleaning expert turned her attention to household bins. She said: “To keep your trash can from stinking, sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom of each new bag. It absorbs odours as the bag fills, so your kitchen stays fresher.”