Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Published : June 19, 2014 12:46 PM IST
We all love a fresh and wonderful smelling home, but this often is not the case during the rains. In this season a room does tend to start smelling stale with wet and dirty clothes, closed windows and in some cases even seepage taking over your home. But spraying away the smell with artificial room freshers can wreak havoc with your health. Artificial room fresheners contain a chemical called pthalates (one amongst other harmful chemicals), that are known to cause health problems, including those in children and pregnant women. According to our expert Dr Arbinder Singhal, peadiartic urologist, a study found that room fresheners, car perfumes and even artificial hair dyes contain a compound that can cause problems in a growing foetus, leading to conditions like hypospadias. So, ditch that artificial room freshener and try some natural options.
A good way to eliminate bad odours in a room is to use cinnamon. Packed with a strong and refreshing odour, cinnamon is a great natural way to make your home smell fresh. Here's how you can use the handy condiment:
Tip#1: Cinnamon and boiling water: Take a stick of cinnamon (the size will depend on how strong the odour is and how big your home is), gently crush it into large pieces and add it to some boiling water. Let the mixture come to a rolling boil. The vapours that emit will help deodorize your home. Allow the water to boil till it is completely dried out. Keep adding more water and cinnamon till your entire home is smelling minty fresh.
Tip #2: Cinnamon and vinegar: Take a pot of boiling water and add about two cap fulls of white vinegar (you can use baking or cooking soda if you don't have white vinegar). Now add a stick of crushed cinnamon to the mix. Allow this mixture to boil and emit vapours. The vinegar helps to get rid of stubborn smells and the cinnamon helps give your home a fresh odour.
Tip#3: Cinnamon, clove and star anise potpourri: Take some cinnamon, clove and star anise in equal proportions, and gently crush them into large size pieces. Place them in a large mouthed bowl and keep this in a room. The mixture has a lovely odour and helps make your home smell wonderful.
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