Simple Remedies for 7 Strange Smells

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but sometimes things just stink. If your home or housemates are adding unwanted odors to your life, use these easy solutions to clear the air.

1. An Empty Trashcan

You've taken the garbage out, rinsed the can, and slid in a new trash bag, but for whatever reason, the thing still reeks, even when it's empty. Rodale.com's Nickel Pincher columnist, Jean Nick, suggests scrubbing out the empty trashcan with hot, soapy water, rinsing, and then dumping a quarter inch of white distilled vinegar in the bottom. Let it set for awhile, and then dump and dry. Next, liberally sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the can before inserting a new trash bag. If you can, opt for bags made out of recycled plastic.

2. A Stinky Sink

Sink drains can be the most bacteria-laden areas of your home, particularly your kitchen sink, where you dump chicken juice and all sorts of other precooked germy gunk. There are often more than 500,000 bacteria in a kitchen sink, about 1,000 times more than the average toilet. Even if you have a garbage disposal (the metal parts can produce ions that help kill germs), it's still a good idea to toss a lemon or lime peel down into the disposal every once in a while for some natural odor control. Churn up the fruit by turning on the water and flipping on the disposal's switch. You can also deodorize once a week by dumping 2 cups of distilled vinegar down the drain. If that's not kicking the smell, pour a cup of borax down it, followed by hot water.

3. All-Over-Body Stench

Some pretty putrid scents can waft