Householders urged to leave bowls of vinegar out in homes overnight
Homeowners with lingering food smells can tackle the issue with various methods. However, according to an expert, one low-cost hack will quickly do the trick. Joyce French, cleaning expert at HomeHow.co.uk, said simply leaving a bowl of vinegar out overnight will be sure to banish any bad odours in your home without having to use harsh chemicals.
The white vinegar solution is great for eliminating alkaline odours and making them less noticeable. Vinegar also has antibacterial properties that can help stop odour-causing bacteria in their tracks. To get rid of persistent cooking odours, Joyce suggests leaving small bowls of vinegar in a room overnight.
She also suggests simmering them with water on the stove. For those worried that the smell of vinegar may take over, Joyce said it will quickly disappear along with the offending smells it's tackling.
The cleaning pro also said apple cider vinegar is a trusty tool to have at home to help solve offensive odours. The solution, which has slightly sweeter undertones, can be used on curtains or upholstery by misting them with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water. This will combat odours without damaging the colour of delicate fabrics or leaving a chemical residue.
If you want to avoid liquids, fresh herb bundles of rosemary, thyme, and mint can help improve the smell around the home and help with closures when small bundles are hung in wardrobes or placed in drawers to keep clothes smelling fresh, reports the Express.
Simmering the peels of fruits like oranges and lemons in a pot on the stove is another great way to get your home smelling its best. It also leaves a lovely fresh aroma.
You can even combine them with white white vinegar to make your own natural cleaning solution with degreasing and antibacterial properties.
You need only put the peels in a large glass jar, submerge them in the vinegar, and let the mixture sit for about two weeks. This will allow the peels to infuse with the vinegar to produce an effective natural cleaning solution.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Meanwhile, simmering a handful of herbs in water is said to be "ideal" for getting a fresher scent straight away.
A few drops of vanilla extract on cotton wool can also work wonders if you stash them in areas where bad smells accumulate or hide them in the corners of rooms where odours may accumulate. You may also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to an oven-safe dish and warm it at a low temperature for half an hour to make your home smell fragrant and fresh.
Joyce recommends various other methods for tackling stenches and improving the smell, including essential oils like lemon, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, and cedarwood. These oils can be used to refresh carpets and fabrics by adding five to ten drops to water in a spray bottle.
Baking soda can also be a great tool for seeing off smells as chemicals in the powder counteract the acids that cause bad odors and produce a compound that's less odourous, the expert says.
It can be used in different ways, but on carpets, rugs, and mattresses, for example, all you need to do is sprinkle some on and leave it for an hour before vacuuming the power up.
In enclosed spaces like a fridge, you can also simply leave the powder in a vented jar until the smells have reduced or cleared.
Coffee grounds can also be used to soak up unpleasant pongs in the fridge by putting some in a bowl and leaving it inside for a few days. The expert says you can also use them on carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling some on and vacuuming them off after 15 minutes.
Joyce says houseplants are another thing to consider with particular types like peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants known to be particularly effective at removing airborne toxins and improving air quality in room lots of people use.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Peace lilies 'flower like crazy' when watered with one food scrap weekly
A houseplant enthusiast shared her simple hack for fertilising peace lilies - and it's not how you might think. In fact, the woman uses just one scrap each week to see her flower thrive Peace lilies, renowned for their stunning elegance, are surprisingly hardy indoor plants that can flourish across various light levels, including dimly lit spaces. They're robust enough to cope with a bit of neglect, making them ideal for anyone lacking natural gardening prowess. For those keen to unlock their peace lilies' full potential, the odd feed works wonders. Gail Nacoste, who's part of the Creative Gardening Facebook community, champions banana skins as her secret weapon for spectacular blooms on her peace lily. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment. Gail shared a photo of her thriving flower and wrote: "I have been watering my peace lily with banana peel water. It has been flowering like crazy with big flowers and growing faster. I have also been watering my other plants with banana water. All are going great." Bananas are bursting with potassium, a vital component of plant food, along with nitrogen and phosphorus. Potassium plays a critical role in helping plants move nutrients and moisture through their systems and proves especially valuable for blooming varieties like peace lilies, reports the Express. They're also loaded with hints of manganese, calcium, magnesium, and sulphur, all of which boost plant wellbeing. Gail outlined her technique for brewing this nutrient-packed banana skin concoction, explaining: "You put the banana peel in a jar of water with the lid on top and leave it in the water overnight or a couple of days. "The water will look cloudy then I put the liquid in a jug to use later. Make sure you cover the peel completely with water. I use quart mason jars with a lid to soak my peels. When I use the banana water I do add some more water to it about three parts banana water to one part plain water. "I also save the water in a jug. We both eat a banana a day so I have a lot of water to save. I water once a week or more often if needed." Garden enthusiasts were left gobsmacked by this nifty trick, with many either giving it a go or keen to start. One was astounded and commented: "Wow. I've never heard of that. I have one. Now I'm going to try that." Another shared their recent experience: "I just started using banana water too! So glad to see you used it in your peace lily. I'm going do that too." A third revealed her husband's homemade concoction: "My husband made what he calls banana soup we had the best show of blooms on ours this year. It's brilliant and practically free." One more endorsed the method, citing her centenarian mother-in-law's wisdom. They wrote: "It works. My mother-in-law, who lived to 100 and had never used Google, swore by placing banana peel at the base of the plant to enhance growth and flowering. It's the potassium." However, some argue that banana peel can't fully replace fertiliser due to its lack of nitrogen. While peace lilies indeed thrive with fertiliser, caution is advised to avoid over-fertilisation, which can cause brown spots on leaves. If the flowers turn greener than their usual creamy hue, it might indicate an excess of fertiliser.
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Daily Record
Former Scottish industrial hub named UK's best place to buy a cottage
The region located just near Glasgow topped the list, which found that cottages in the area are typically priced at just £83,500. A former industrial hub in central Scotland has been named the most affordable place in the UK to buy a cottage, as interest in countryside living and cosy rural homes continues to grow. North Lanarkshire, located just east of Glasgow, topped a new ranking by property site Zoopla, which found that cottages in the area are typically priced at just £83,500. The area includes towns such as Motherwell, Wishaw, Airdrie, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld, places not traditionally associated with romantic cottage life, but now offering some of the best value for money in Britain, Scottish Daily Express reports. According to Zoopla, the word 'cottage' was the fourth most-searched term on its website in 2024, suggesting a surge in interest for more quaint and character-filled homes. With the rising cost of living and growing interest in the so-called 'cottagecore' aesthetic, buyers are increasingly drawn to smaller, more manageable properties set in rural or semi-rural surroundings. Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, said: 'Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the cottagecore lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. 'While the dream of a quaint, rural cottage is often associated with high prices, our analysis highlights that affordability can still be found across the country. "From the rolling hills of North Lanarkshire to the coastal charm of Sunderland, there are options for prospective buyers on a range of budgets. 'We're seeing this desire for a simpler life translate into market demand, with specific areas becoming hotspots for buyer interest. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking for a change of pace, the cottage market offers diverse opportunities.' Cottages, while not strictly defined, are generally considered to be smaller and more rustic than traditional homes. Many are situated outside major urban centres, appealing to buyers looking to escape the hustle of city life. While North Lanarkshire was the most affordable area in the UK, East Lothian, just east of Edinburgh, ranked as the most expensive Scottish region for cottage buyers, with properties typically costing around £381,000. East Renfrewshire, south of Glasgow, also stood out in the study. It attracted the highest concentration of buyer interest in Scotland while still offering relatively good value for money, with average cottage prices around £100,000. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Nigel Bishop, founder of buying agency Recoco Property Search, said: 'There has always been a fan base of buyers who appreciate the typically charming designs and quaint surroundings associated with a cottage. 'Many house hunters also express favouring this style of home for size, as cottages tend to be smaller than typical country homes and are therefore considered to be more manageable and could reduce running costs. 'Often set in rural locations, buyers need to ensure that the setting works for them long term, as some amenities such as shops and hospitals can be further away which can become inconvenient. "Demand for cottages remains strong, however, and house hunters should brace for a competitive property search, particularly for cottages with a lower asking price as they tend to attract multiple offers.'
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Master expert's 'perfect' homemade chilli by adding one cheap ingredient
Chilli con carne is a great family dish and there are many ways to cook it - but one flavour expert has shared a simple and easy tip to make the meal taste "perfect" Chilli connoisseurs, listen up! There's a myriad of ways to rustle up this hearty dish – be it in a slow cooker, oven, stove or even an air fryer. Yet, the secret to that mouth-watering flavour isn't just how you cook it; it's all about the spice symphony that jazzes up the classic tomato and beef mince combo. Forget reaching for the Worcestershire or brown sauce to add pizzazz to your chilli. Matt Webster, a maestro of taste from Seasoned Pioneers, has a game-changing ingredient up his sleeve. Following the news on a family of 10 'barge out' of pub in brazen dine and dash after £320 meal, here's how to make a budget-friendly favourite in the safety of your home. READ MORE: Unusual kitchen ingredient helps robins and banishes pests from your garden A surprising twist usually found in sweet treats, according to Matt, cinnamon can work wonders in savoury meals too. In an exclusive chat with the Express, he instructed: "Enhance your chilli con carne into a restaurant quality dish, in the comfort of your home, by adding a couple of teaspoons of cinnamon". He added: "Cinnamon is the perfect spice to add to this home-cooked meal, as it rounds out all the flavours in the dish, bringing warmth to the chilli con carne - without adding too much spice and overpowering other flavours in the dish". Here's Matt's recipe: Ingredients One can of chopped tomatoes Two tbsp tomato paste 450g minced beef One onion, diced Two tbsp olive oil One tsp smoked garlic powder One tsp smoked Paprika Two tsp ground cinnamon 1⁄2 tsp chilli powder 1⁄2 tsp salt 1⁄2 tsp pepper Method Fire up the hob to a medium heat, toss in the beef and let it sizzle away for three minutes. Then it's time to get spicy: throw in a medley of smoked paprika; garlic powder; cinnamon; chilli powder and tomato paste, giving it a good stir until everything is thoroughly blended. Next, chuck in the kidney beans, followed by the tinned tomatoes. Don't be shy with the seasoning – a hearty sprinkle of salt and pepper will do, then give it another good mix to marry all the flavours together. Turn down the heat to a gentle simmer and let the chilli con carne bubble away for about 10 minutes, or until it's nicely thickened up. Matt recommends to serve the chilli "with some sour cream, guacamole, cheese, and tortilla chips to create your own Mexican feast from the comfort of your home".
