Also, clean out the dishwasher filter (located at the bottom of the machine) at least once per month with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. This three-minute chore could not only be the difference between sparkly clean dishes and caked-on food particles, but also between a fresh- and foul-smelling machine. Before you go on vacation (or if your home has a toilet that isn’t used often, such as in a guest room), flush the toilet several times before you leave for the trip, as well as when you return. The pipe behind your toilet is designed to dip down and then come back up, and this dip holds water that blocks sewer smells from seeping into your house. If the toilet isn’t flushed often enough, the water can evaporate, letting the smells into the room. If smells persist, it could be a sign of a leak in the plumbing that’s better left to a professional. Want a quick scent-refresh? Try this clever cotton ball hack to make your refrigerator smell like vanilla, not last night’s fish dinner.
