Neither Baking Soda Nor Bleach: Here's A Great Way To Eliminate Kitchen Odors

Household staples, baking soda and bleach, have long been used to combat unpleasant odors in the home. Most people know that simply placing an open container of baking soda in the fridge can help neutralize strong scents from, for example, onion and garlic. Likewise, a weak bleach solution, such as 1 cup of laundry bleach in a sink full of hot water, can quickly clear lingering smells from a kitchen drain. But did you know that a few sprigs of rosemary can also keep your home smelling fresh? It's all thanks to the herb's naturally pleasant, piney fragrance and antibacterial qualities.

Its soothing, herbal aroma can leave your home smelling pleasant and inviting. What's more, rosemary isn't caustic like bleach. Other pluses? It's likely you can find fresh rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) at the grocery store. Alternatively, you can easily learn to care for a rosemary herb plant at home. This member of the mint family will thrive in a pot on a south-facing windowsill. This hardy perennial is native to the Mediterranean region. Outdoors, it grows in Zones 8 to 10 and can live for more than 30 years. All it needs indoors or out is plenty of sunlight and occasional watering.

Rosemary offers one of the easiest and most scent-sational ways to naturally freshen the air in your home. Simply make a simmer pot by putting 2 to 3 cups of water into a saucepan on the stove. Add a few sprigs of rosemary and, if you like, some cranberries, orange slices, and spices, such as a stick of cinnamon or a few cloves. Boil the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes, keeping a watchful eye on the pot so it doesn't boil over or scorch. The delicious aromas of the rosemary, fruit, and spice will make your home smell utterly irresistible — much like baking a pie. It's a small habit that can make your home smell better than ever.

There are plenty of other ways to enjoy rosemary's fragrance in the kitchen. Create your own scented cleaning spray by combining 2 cups of fresh rosemary sprigs with 2 cups of distilled white vinegar, also a natural disinfectant, in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Let it all sit for 5 to 7 days, shaking daily. Strain the liquid through clean cheesecloth or a fine sieve into a spray bottle and add an equal amount of filtered water. Screw on the top, and you'll have an all-natural, non-toxic cleaner that will sanitize counters, sinks, and cutting boards and leave behind a refreshing scent.