Kamal Ghorui
The smell phenomenon is one that we are all too familiar with. Having returned from an unusually late dinner or entered the living room, where the dog dozed throughout a gloomy afternoon, we are assaulted with an unyielding smell that refuses to dissipate. It would not be surprising to find ourselves reaching for a spritz bottle, expecting a fragrant remedy, but instead getting an unnatural combination of “summer breeze” and charred garlic.Lately, however, homeowners are turning back to a humble kitchen staple that our grandparents relied on for decades. By simply leaving a bowl of white vinegar out overnight, you can effectively reset the air in your home without a single synthetic chemical.This trick works due to chemical reactions. Air fresheners typically cover up the smell by adding another more potent scent to override your olfactory senses, but vinegar actually cleans. Vinegar attacks the odorous particles directly.Put a bowl of vinegar somewhere in your house, and its acetic acid will begin to evaporate without causing any noise. Once in the air, acetic acid searches for the alkaline odour particles responsible for smoke, pets, and cooking odours.The science of why this product really works in eliminating smellsWhile some may think that this falls into the realm of wives’ tales, it is actually scientifically based. The EPA pushes toward a greener cleaning product with biodegradable ingredients. These facts are stated inIdentifying Greener Cleaning Products.Use of vinegar bowls in place of sprays will reduce the amount of chemicals used in the house. This is because most air fresheners have volatile organic compounds or phthalates, which may irritate one’s lungs; however, vinegar offers an alternative to this problem.The power of this method is further explained in the educational publication Clean and Green, published by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. This research notes that most household cleaning and deodorising can be done with only baking soda and vinegar. The study explains that vinegar acts as a mild acid that breaks down alkaline substances.Most common household scents like oil, grease, or even cat or dog urine are usually alkaline and will combine with the acidic smells of vinegar to produce salts, thus eliminating their odour and replacing them with a cleaner one. With time, the vinegar will absorb the bad odour while you enjoy a good night’s sleep. In the morning, there may be a slight scent of salad, but it disappears quickly after removing the bowl.
This eco-friendly, cost-effective method, backed by science, offers a natural alternative to synthetic air fresheners, leaving your home smelling fresh.
How to make a unique air freshenerHowever, if you prefer a faster way, you can try making air fresheners in small quantities through the use of distilled vinegar.According to the technical guide Green Alternatives to Toxic Household Products and Hazardous Waste published by New Mexico State University (which hosts the widely cited Guide G-313 used by various extensions), vinegar is a primary alternative for freshening air and absorbing odours.A common and effective mixture involves one part vinegar to four parts water for daily maintenance. This allows the acetic acid to come into direct contact with surfaces where odours might be “trapped,” such as curtains or carpets. However, because vinegar is an acid, it can be quite “hungry” for minerals.Avoid placing it on sensitive surfaces like marble, granite, or any raw wood surfaces, as it may cause them to become eroded and lose their finish. Moreover, although vinegar helps in neutralising any alkaline smell, it might not be able to remove serious issues like extensive mould formation.Thus, it can be concluded that vinegar is part of the larger trend of simplification. The ingredient is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, scientifically proven and is a surefire way to maintain the cleanliness of your house. Whenever there is an unwanted smell around, do not bother with going through the aisle at the supermarket; rather, visit your kitchen cabinet and use vinegar.
