10 Ways to spoil mothers on Mothering Sunday

No matter how much of a clean freak you tend to be, the stenches and odours of everyday life are unavoidable. But don’t let that get you down – here are some tips from MOLLY MAID, the domestic cleaning experts, to help with easy, homemade ways to dispel stink from every area in your home.

1. Stinky rubbish

Wash indoor and outdoor rubbish bins with hot soapy water to remove smelly bits and debris. Leave a couple of used fabric softener sheets in the bottom of your kitchen rubbish bin to absorb odours.

2. A burnt-on food spill

If food from a casserole dish bubbles over onto the stove or oven floor, sprinkle salt on the drips to absorb the burnt smell(this will also make it easier to clean up later).

3. A musty freezer

Place a clean sock filled with dry coffee grounds inside to deodorise this pesky spot in your kitchen.

4. A smelly microwave

The awful stench of burnt popcorn seems to hang around forever, but it eventually disperses. To speed up the process, fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 1/2 cups water and three or four chopped lemons along with a fragrant spice, like cloves. Bring to a boil in the microwave, and then leave it to steam inside for 15 minutes (until the water cools down and can be removed safely). Leave the door ajar for an hour or so to air the microwave out.

5. A foul dishwasher

Check that the drain hose isn’t crimped, and look in the bottom of the machine for bits of food and gunk. Then, pour some household vinegar in the bottom, let it sit for an hour or so, and run the washer through a full cycle. If the odour is still strong, call a plumber. It could potentially be a hazardous problem that needs to be remedied by a pro.

6. Rancid wooden cutting boards and counters

Scrub the wood with a mixture of lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda or salt. Rinse well and season with mineral oil.

7. A pungent kitchen

While cooking sharp-smelling items, like fish or cabbage, place a small bowl of white vinegar on the hob to absorb the odour. To stop offensive fridge smells, pour bicarbonate of soda into aplastic margarine tub and poke holes in the lid; change as often as needed. Wipe down fridge walls with white vinegar to get rid of any lingering smells.

8. The toilet

When this frequently used bathroom fixture needs deodorising, pour 1 cup of household vinegar into the bowl and let it stand for at least 5 minutes. Scrub briskly and flush.

9. Not-so-fresh bathroom air

Dab essential oil (cinnamon or orange) onto cotton balls, and place them in a small bowl on a shelf. Put matches in a pretty basket near the toilet for handy use.

10. Dingy carpeting

To quickly deodorize a smelly rug, sprinkle a box of baking soda over it, and let settle into the fibres for 30 minutes. Then, vacuum it up.

11. A musty mattress

Spray with a disinfectant to kill the bacteria that causes odours. In between cleanings, sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda onto the mattress, wait 15 minutes, and vacuum.

12. A stale closet

Hanging clean socks filled with dry coffee grounds works here, too.

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