Air Freshners 1

Attractive lemon centerpiece

6 to 12 fresh lemons
1 bunch flowering herb, such as lavender or rosemary (optional)

Why focus on expensive, fresh floral arrangements when you can create centerpiece magic with a bag of lemons? Fill a decorative vase or large bowl with lemons and fill in the spaces along the bottom with sprigs of fresh herbs. You'll have a colorful, fresh-smelling arrangement your guests are sure to admire and remember-and you'll have a lot of uses for those lemons later.

Skunked dog cleaner

1 quart (1 liter) hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
1 teaspoon (5ml) dish soap

There is simply no way to describe the smell of a freshly skunked dog. Fortunately, you can turn that smell into a distant memory with the amazing combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix the peroxide with the baking soda and dish soap in a large plastic bucket (do not store the mixture in a sealed container- it will produce a lot of bubbles and explode). Wear latex gloves and bathe your dog outside, if possible. Take care to work the mixture into the fur, concentrating on the areas sprayed, while keeping it away from your dog's face and eyes. Let stand for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with fresh water. See your vet if your dog shows any sign of injury (some skunks are rabid).

cat box deodorizer

1 cup (220g) baking soda

There's no need to buy the more expensive fragrance-filled brands of cat litter when you have some extra baking soda in the house. Fill the litter box halfway with cat litter and then spread a layer of baking soda (about 1 cup or 220g), followed by another layer of litter.

lemon sachet

1 cotton handkerchief
1 cup (220g) baking soda
zest of 1 lemon
6-inch (15cm) piece of ribbon

Sachets are a nice easy to keep spaces that are often dark and closed up, like drawers, storage containers, and closets, smelling fresh and sweet. If you don't care for sewing, you can easily and quickly fashion a sachet out of a plain cotton handkerchief and some ribbon. Lay the handkerchief on a flat work surface. Combine the baking soda and zest in a small bowl. Put the mixture in the middle of the handkerchief and gather the four corners of the handkerchief together so that the mixture assumes the shape of a ball. Twist the gathered corners and tie with the ribbon just above the ball.

camping helper

1 16-ounce box (454g) baking soda

Don't forget to buy an extra box of baking soda the next time you go camping. Its many uses will come in handy during your tripe, whether as a toothpaste or deodorant alternative, a mosquito bite remedy, or a fire extinguisher. And once you're back home, sprinkle what remains in the box on your tent and sleeping bags to remove odors before storing for the next trip.

garbage can deodorizer

1/4 cup (55g) baking soda

Looking for a way to control garbage odors but dislike the overpowering smell of scented trash bags? Let a dash of baking soda neutralize the bad odors for you. Just get in the habit of pouring 1/4 cup (55g) baking into your kitchen garbage bags before you put them in the pail, and the baking soda will help absorb unpleasant trash odors.

cleaning the garbage can

Use a fairly strong solution of baking soda and warm water to wash the kitchen garbage can out. It will keep the smell down as well. This is good for all plastic and stainless steel cans.

humidifier deodorizer

2 tablespoons (28g) baking soda
3 tablespoons (45ml) lemon juice, divided

A home humidifier can be a great tool for coping with the dryness associated with winter weather, but over time it can develop odors. If your humidifier is putting out more than just moisture, give all the washable parts a good scrub down with a mixture of the baking soda and 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice. Rinse thoroughly and fill with the recommended amount of water, plus the remaining 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice. The lemon juice will help transform the vapors into a pleasant lemony scent. Repeat every few weeks as necessary.

removing the smell of vomit/sour milk

To rid the smell after an unfortunate bout of sickness, clean the area thoroughly, then place a bowl of vinegar on the floor and leave overnight. This works very well in a car as well, especially in warm weather. Leave the bowl on the floor of the car overnight, with the doors and windows shut.

cigarette odor remover

1 quart (1 liter) vinegar

The none-too-pleasant scent of cigarette smoke has a shocking ability to cling to clothing, and it can even spread to other garments hanging nearby. But what to do when a conventional washing or trip to the dry cleaner isn't an option? Turn to vinegar, of course! To start, fill your bathtub with hot water and add 1 quart (1 liter) vinegar. Hang the affected clothes just above the tub so that the vinegar-scented vapors rise, they'll eradicate the smoke smell. Keep the door closed for maximum effect and leave the the clothes to hang overnight. In the morning, the clothes should smell noticeably fresher.