Distilled vinegar is so good at cleaning so many types of surfaces that sometimes we forget that it also purifies the air. If you’ve run out of Febreze but your living room smells a little unconventional, you can use a bowl of vinegar to get rid of that smell.
Most deodorizing products don’t actually remove odors. they just cover them with fragrance. Vinegar is different. According to a popular science blog about the science of odor removalThe acetic acid molecules in vinegar combine with smelly, volatile compounds in the air, neutralizing them and killing the stink. As the vinegar evaporates, it takes these neutralized molecules with it and leaves no odor at all.
You don’t have to spray vinegar around to reap the deodorizing benefits. Just fill a small, shallow bowl, put it in the corner, and wait. After a few hours, this smell will long be gone.
This article was originally published on June 21, 2011. It was updated on April 26, 2021 to reflect Lifehacker’s current style guidelines, with a new photo, updated links, and updated information.
