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" Our homes are incubators for all kinds of smells. Kitchens, basements, pet boxes and closets generate some doozies! Time to freshen up: These quick fixes will reduce or eliminate most common odors. Unappetizing Kitchen Smells  Source: Cabbage, broccoli or fish Solution: Set out a small bowl of household vinegar on the counter next to the stove to absorb smells.   Source: Casserole dish that bubbled over in the oven Solution: Sprinkle salt on the burned mess to eliminate the smoky odor, then clean up when the oven is cool.   Source: Food spatters inside the microwave Solution: Combine 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 cup water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High for two to three minutes. Then wipe off the walls and the turntable.   Source: Popcorn that was burned in the microwave Solution: Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 4 or 5 cloves; 1/2 lemon, chopped; and 1 1/2 cups water. Microwave on High until it boils, then let sit until water cools before removing bowl. Wipe walls with a paper towel and leave door open to air out.   Source: Mystery items in fridge Solution: Throw out anything that&amp;#039;s furry or green. Check for outdated items at the back of each shelf. To control odors, pour baking soda into a plastic margarine tub and poke holes in the lid; change as often as needed. Keep small dishes of lemon or lime slices on different shelves and wipe down the walls with white vinegar.   Source: Rancid wooden chopping blocks and counters Solution: Scrub the wood with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda or salt. Rinse well and season with mineral oil. 1. Heavily soiled work clothes: Add 1/2 cup baking soda or vinegar to the rinse cycle.  2. Perspiration stains: Rub a prewash stain remover into the trouble spots. Then wash garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If clothing still smells bad, apply white vinegar to the area and let sit for 30 minutes, then wash with an enzyme detergent or oxygen bleach.   3. Stinky socks: Wash as usual, then rinse socks in a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 gallon water; let sit for 30 minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture and let air-dry.   4. Funky gym clothes: If you don&amp;#039;t have time to launder gear between every workout, toss perfume strips or sprinkle baking soda into your exercise bag before putting your sweats inside.   5. Bath towels with a sour smell: Wash separately in small loads, using the hottest water safe for the fabric and the usual amount of nonbleach detergent; add 1 cup ammonia during the rinse cycle. Place in the dryer ASAP. Beat Bathroom Stench  Toilet: Pour a cup of full-strength vinegar into the bowl; let stand for five minutes. Scrub and flush.   Sink drain: Pour a blend of 1/2 cup household bleach and 1/2 cup water down the drain. Wait one hour, then flush with lots of cold water.  Pet Pee-Eww  Cat&amp;#039;s litter box: Empty litter and pour half an inch of vinegar into the box and cover with a healthy dose of baking soda (the mixture will bubble). Top with several inches of water and stir. Let box soak for several hours, then drain the liquid and scrub. Wash with hot, soapy water and dry well. Before putting fresh litter into the box, pour a thin layer of baking soda onto the bottom.   Skunked dog: Mix 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with a quarter cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid. Rub the solution through your dog&amp;#039;s fur (avoiding his eyes and ears) and rinse well.   What&amp;#039;s the Worst Odor of All? In a recent online poll, we asked what you thought was the foulest household odor. Here are top five offenders according to your votes:  Rotting garbage: 34.8%  Pet smells: 24.4%  Diaper pail: 15.8%  Tobacco smoke: 13.2%  Spoiled milk: 11.8%  While there are many new odor-neutralizing products that mask unpleasant smells, I like to make my own. Try these:   Baking goods: Soak a cotton ball with lemon, orange, vanilla or peppermint extract or oil of cloves. Place it in a small, clean glass jar; punch holes in the lid and secure tightly. (Don&amp;#039;t let extracts come in contact with wood, marble, granite or painted surfaces.) Or, mix 2 teaspoons cinnamon (or other favorite spice) with 1 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on High for two to three minutes.   Ground coffee: Put a few tablespoons of fresh, unused ground coffee into several clean old socks and hang them in your closets to stop musty odor.   Charcoal: Fill a container with activated charcoal (available at pet supply stores); place in areas affected by mold and mildew, such as the basement or a closet.  What&amp;#039;s That Smell?   It&amp;#039;s a good idea to walk through your home regularly to do a nose check -- sniff in closets, your teenagers&amp;#039; rooms, little-used bathrooms, etc. While it often seems that unpleasant odors arise out of nowhere, that&amp;#039;s not true. Food or other organic matter can drop behind a piece of furniture and fester. If something smells off, try to identify the source of the mysterious or persistent odor before it grows into a rotten one that could cause major damage to your home. Follow your nose. If you can&amp;#039;t locate the source, call a professional fumigator.   Suspicious Fumes: When to Take Action  1. Propane or natural gas: Quickly try to find the source, but don&amp;#039;t use a match or turn on lights -- you could cause an explosion. Turn off the supply line at the main meter cutoff and open windows. Can&amp;#039;t find the source? Get out of the house and call the gas company or a licensed plumber.  2. Sewer gas leak: A strong sulfuric smell will alert you to this problem. Call the city waste-management department or a plumbing professional right away.  3. Smoke: If you smell and see smoke, get out fast. If you can, crawl on the floor -- poisonous gases and smoke rise to the ceiling.   4. Pesticides: The acrid fumes from indoor and outdoor pesticides can cause convulsions or dizziness. Call 911 or the National Pesticide Network (800-858-7378). "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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