Odors are chemicals that react to the sensitive nerves in our noses. They may be unpleasant, irritating or even toxic depending on the chemical and their concentrations. Fortunately, there are many ways to neutralize odors. These techniques include masking, securing and absorbing. The best method depends on the nature of the odor and the underlying cause. For example, the oxidation of fecal or urine odors is best accomplished using a hydrogen peroxide spray.

Limbisch brein can be made from items found around the house: coffee grounds, tea bags, citrus peels, baking soda and zeolites all work well as natural odor absorbers. You can also make a simple spray to remove odors from fabric or upholstery using water, white vinegar and essential oil. For more intense smells, there are granulated activated carbon (GAC) products available that are effective for organic odors. Other materials are being investigated as odor absorbers including peat, sawdust and zeolites. Resin adsorbents like partially pyrolysed styrene-divinylbenzene resins can be used for more severe odor removal.

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A common area where odors can accumulate is the refrigerator. A head of lettuce or bag of spinach that has gone bad in the fridge can quickly give off an overwhelming odor. Regularly cleaning out your fridge and throwing away expired food helps keep odors down. Another good tip is to keep a container of baking soda in the fridge, which can also absorb refrigerator odors. Other smelly problem areas to target include shoe stink, where a pair of Moso natural air purifying shoe inserts ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond) can be helpful, and the gym bag where a bag of Zorpads Shoe Inserts ($10, NASA-tested) can keep shoes smelling fresh. Lastly, opening windows to bring in fresh air can be an effective odor neutralizer.