When you combine bleach and vinegar, the result is usually a stinky mess. It’s true that these two household staples are natural disinfectants, but when they’re mixed together they cause a chemical reaction that can leave your clothes smelly and your home smelling like vinegar. In fact, some people detect the scent of ‘green apple’ when this combination is made.
This is because the acidic qualities of vinegar react with the alkaline properties of bleach to create acetic acid, which has a pungent smell. It isn’t dangerous to have strong smells in your home if they come from essential oils or plants instead.
That also means it isn’t necessary to use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation vanilla essence as well as pure peppermint extract instead of imitation peppermint oil to make your home smell good. Instead, there are plenty of safer methods for making your home smell good without the risks posed by commercial air fresheners and fragranced cleaning products.
What is the difference between bleach and vinegar?
Both bleach and vinegar are household disinfectants that are commonly used to clean and disinfect surfaces, such as floors and bathrooms. While both are effective against germs, bleach is also known for being a powerful organic solvent that can also change colour if exposed to sunlight. This means bleach is not recommended for use in closets, carpets or furniture that you plan on storing for a long time, as it may fade the colour of your belongings. Also, bleach has been linked to cancer in humans and has been banned from use in some countries. Although the risk of cancer is low, it’s best to avoid bleach if you don’t have to use it.
So what happens when you mix vinegar with lye?
As Biberdorf explains, one of the main components of bleach is sodium hypochlorite, which is considered a base. For its part, vinegar is an acid (acetic acid).
Therefore, when a person decides to mix vinegar with bleach, the sodium hypochlorite takes a proton from the vinegar and this reaction generates a hypochlorous acid. However, everything does not end here.
The hypochlorous acid reacts with the rest of the vinegar to form a gas known as chlorine gas, which can be particularly harmful to your health.
Negative Effects of Chlorine Gas
Chlorine gas in its pure state can be seen as a greenish-yellow color; however, the gas caused by a mixture of chemicals is dispersed in the air and is usually invisible.
Despite this, it can be perceived by its strong smell and the negative effects it causes on the body. Primarily, it affects the mucous membranes, including the eyes, throat, and lungs.
As a result of this, symptoms such as watery eyes, chest congestion, breathing difficulties and a burning sensation, among others, may occur. Also, in case of contact with the skin, it can detonate in blisters and irritation.
How to make your home smell good without using odour
Add a citrus note with an aromatherapy diffuser A great way to add a citrus scent to your home without using bleach or vinegar is to add an aromatherapy diffuser. These diffusers are especially helpful for making your home smell good when you’re sick or on antibiotics, as they use essential oils to reduce odours without exposing harmful chemicals to the air.
There are a variety of brands that make aromatherapy diffusers, making it easy to locate one that fits your budget. These diffusers are also helpful for making your home smell good when you’re on a budget, as you can set one up in a room and simply turn it on for hours to fill that room with a pleasant scent. If you’re looking to make your home smell good without using odour, consider trying a diffuser.
Try essential oils
Essential oils are a great way to add a pleasant scent to your home. These oils are concentrated and natural, making them safe to use in your home without exposing them to harmful chemicals. The great thing about essential oils is that they can help to make your home smell good without using harmful chemicals. In fact, you can use them to add a relaxing scent to your home without using scented candles, oils or aerosols.
They’re also easy to use. You can add drops of essential oils to a bowl of water and set the bowl on the floor of your home to create a diffuser. You can also add oils to a plug-in diffuser or you can simply dab the oils on surfaces around your home. You can make your home smell good without using odour by using essential oils.
Add a citrus note with an aromatherapy diffuser
A citrus scent can help to make your home smell good without using odour. Try adding a citrus scent, such as orange oil, to your diffuser to make your home smell great. Orange essential oil is a great citrus scent to use in your diffuser while lemon oil will help to make your home smell fresh and clean.
You can also try mixing a citrus scent with any of the other oils that are made specifically for making your home smell good without using scented candles. You can even try mixing citrus scents to create a custom scent that reminds you of your favourite fruit. If you’re looking to make your home smell good without using odour, try adding orange essential oil to your diffuser.
Make your own homemade air freshener
If you’d like to make your own air freshener to use in your home, try using a mixture of water and oil. You can add a few drops of tea or coffee to a bowl of water and add a few drops of vanilla or citrus essential oil.
You can also try adding spices to help to make your home smell good without using odour. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove oil are popular spices that you can use to make your home smell great. Although essential oils are the easiest and safest way to create your own air freshener, you can also try creating a homemade air freshener with water and oil.
Conclusion
In many ways, making your home smell good without using scented candles or perfumes is easier than you think. With only a few household ingredients, you can create a pleasant scent that lasts long. Whether you choose to try the homemade air freshener recipes or use essential oils, you’ll find that making your home smell good without using scented candles and perfumes is easier than you’d think.
