Nasty odours are hard to get rid of, especially if they are already embedded in furniture, carpets or in the drainpipes for a long time. Sure, chemicals and deodorizers may help to eliminate these odours around the home, but if you are looking for a more natural approach to getting rid of odours, try using pure essential oils to kill those odour causing bacteria around your home.

The number one essential oil for eliminating odours is Lemon. This oil is the best when it comes to deodorizing, disinfecting and sanitizing less-than-pleasant areas. Not only is Lemon effective around your home, it can also work on bad breath, body odours and even keeping your work space smelling fresh. Here are some ways Lemon essential oil can help with your odour-killing job.

1. Shoes freshener

Add some Lemon essential oil into a container of baking soda powder and stir briefly. Sprinkle the powder into the insides of shoes, or at the corners of the shoe cabinets. Sweep out the powder at least once a month before sprinkling more powder into the shoe cabinets.

2. Toilet odours

Mix lemon essential oil and water into a spray bottle and shake well. Use a spray bottle that has an adjustable nozzle which allows varying intensities of liquid to be dispensed from the bottle. Spray the lemon water mixture onto the toilet walls, floor sink and toilet bowl.

3. Bad breath

Add 2 to 3 drops of lemon essential oil into a cup of water. Rinse and gargle you mouth after brushing your teeth or after a meal. Do not swallow.

4. Keeping stale areas fresh

Gather some loose wood chips or dried flowers and bundle them inside a semi-permeable cloth bag to form a potpourri. Drop 5 to 10 drops of lemon essential oil into the cloth bag and allow the potpourri to soak in the essential oil. Hang the potpourri in stale areas such as the store room.

5. Kitchen

Place a piece of scenting clay in kitchen cabinets and drawers and add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil onto the scenting clay to scent up the kitchen after heavy cooking. You may also use scenting clay on your work desk, car or even your vanity table.

6. Clothes

To remove smelly grease that may have accumulated while working, especially in food service industry, add a few drops of lemon essential oil into a bottle of unscented laundry detergent. Use the laundry detergent during your wash cycle in the washing machine.