Is The Smell Of Bleach Overrunning Your Home? Turn To This Easy Fix

Bleach is a common household disinfectant that can be used all over. From safely cleaning with bleach for a germ-free toilet to removing mold and mildew from kitchens, bleach is a powerful cleaning agent. However, if you clean with bleach often, you'll notice that the smell of it can be overpowering, lingering in the air and on surfaces long after you've finished cleaning. Adding additional scent boosters to your air might result in an even more nauseating combination of odors rather than effectively neutralizing the bleach smell. Instead, turn to baking soda to absorb and neutralize the odor molecules, helping to get rid of the bleach smell naturally and effectively.

Of course, when cleaning with bleach, it's important to have proper ventilation to allow the fumes to dissipate and prevent them from building up to dangerous levels. Even with leaving some windows open, the smell of bleach can linger for several hours or more. Leaving an open container of baking soda in the room you just cleaned will help reduce the strength of the lingering smell.

While there are many baking soda cleaning hacks that are worth trying, it's essential not to overlook the fact that this pantry staple can help remove odors from your home, including those from bleach. To use this hack to control gross smells in your home, simply put a few bowls or open boxes of baking soda in the room you cleaned with bleach. If you have a larger room (like a living room or basement) that has a lingering smell, you can pour the baking soda on a baking sheet to create a larger surface area for better odor absorption. Leave it out overnight to diminish the smell. If you recently cleaned a floor with bleach, you can sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda right onto the surface. Leave for at least one hour, then vacuum.

It's critical to remember to only do this after you have cleaned with bleach and rinsed the area — never mix baking soda with bleach directly. While baking soda is a harmless substance, combining it with bleach can cause a chemical reaction that may produce toxic gas, which can be dangerous to inhale. The baking soda is intended to be used as a separate step to absorb the lingering odors.