Life smells. Whether it be dirty laundry, a full dishwasher, or the garbage, smells can sneak up and attack. That's proved especially true for Jarred and me since we moved into our apartment almost 2 years ago. We're still learning how to take the garbage out daily and to run the disposal.
I can't control every smell though. When moving into an apartment, there is a high possibility that it may not smell good. In our case, the apartment didn't smell terrible, but there was a lingering smell that told us a previous tenant had smoked inside. But we've found ways to combat the problem, somewhat.
I'm really into finding products that will help clear the air or at least mask smells. Regardless of whether I'm cleaning our clothes or wanting to treat the air in our living room, I've found these items to really help.
1.
Purex Complete Crystals Softener
I found a coupon in Sunday's paper and was intrigued, especially because the advertisement touted the product to keep clothes smelling fresher for longer than a liquid softener. I actually don't use softener and only use Bounce sheets in the dryer for the smell. Because of the smokey smell that lingered in our apartment, our clothes and other fabric tend to smell after so long. If you know a smoker or are one, you know how much the smell permeates everything. And that's a fact.
I found that if Jarred and I had clothing that just hung up in the closet for months, it would smell smokey. Of course, we wouldn't realize it until we were out of the apartment. Embarrassing. I bought the Purex because I wanted something with a strong scent that would combat stink.
Pairing the Purex with my Original scented Tide detergent and heavily scented Bounce sheets, Jarred and I have noticeably better smelling clothes compared to just using detergent and a dryer sheet. With a coupon, I paid around $3.49 for a bottle of Purex Complete Crystals and it is supposed to last through 32 loads. I don't think it was a bad price considering one bottle should last me almost 2 or 3 months. I bought the Fresh Spring Waters scent which is in the blue bottle. At my local Kroger, they also sold the Lavender Blossom (in purple) but did not have the Tropical Splash (yellow) scent. I went in knowing I wanted to buy the freshest scent to pair up better with my detergent.
I'd actually recommend this product. I'm quite pleased with the results after 4 loads of laundry already. I'm also thinking that the crystals could also be used as air fresheners too because the scent is fairly strong. I can see putting some of the product into a glass jar to help scent a room.
2.
Good Air Candles from Yankee Candle
I love candles, especially the Yankee Candle variety. I'm not sure they know my name at the store, but they do recognize my face and remember my last purchase. I went in sometime in the Fall 2010 asking for any product they had for smelly smells. I told her about our situation and she was very helpful, telling me that a friend of hers was in a similar situation, except the downstairs neighbors smoked like chimneys and the smell would creep into the friend's apartment.
I feel for her.
Anyway, she talked to me about the Good Air products. Thought skeptical, I bought a candle of each scent, Just Plain Clean and Just Plain Fresh. Clean comes in blue and Fresh comes in green. Both are excellent scents and there is no other way to describe it except for 'clean' and 'fresh'. Each candle has a core that is either blue or green that melts along with the outer wax of the candle. That's what eliminates odors. I went back home and immediately began using them.
They work.
Yes.
Love the scents and even after I blew out the candle, the smell lingers. It was nice to burn the candle in the morning for a while, blow it out, leave to run errands, and come home a few hours later to the same scent, almost as if the candle had never been blown out.
The candle has a nice pool and doesn't tunnel. Maybe I got lucky with my candles, but if you experience tunneling with jar candles, wrap the glass in tin foil for a while.
There are also sprays, votives, and gels available along with the candle. I know Yankee Candle is up there in price, but these candles were only $9.99. I only wish the candle was a little bit bigger so it would last longer. I get a little panicky thinking I'll run out of candle before I can buy more.
3. Dryer Sheets
I don't have a picture because I just use whatever is on sale.
I don't just use the sheets for laundry though. I have tacked up dryer sheets to walls, stuck them in drawers, stuffed one in shoes, etc. I sneak them wherever I can. Jarred seems to hate it, but c'mon, the dryer sheets smell nice and fresh and are a good way to discreetly combat stink. I also like rubbing a single sheet over my clothes before I head out to make sure I'm smelling super fresh. You can place one in a car as an air freshener. Works and it's cheaper than buying the car air freshener clips. Stick one in between clothes to use like drawer sachets.
The possibilities are endless. Something to think about when there's not much cash to spare but you want everything to smell good!
