airtight bin, prop your items on a box in the bin so they don’t touch the powder, seal until fresh, then air them out.
Water damage: Once the source is sealed, ventilate and turn on a dehumidifier.
Refrigerator
There’s still nothing better for absorbing fridge odors than baking soda. Try Arm & Hammer’s Fridge-n-Freezer Deodorizer ($1.50 at supermarkets), which has front and back windows lined with a cheesecloth-like fabric to maximize ventilation. Vanilla extract is also an effective remedy: Soak a cotton ball in it and leave the cotton ball exposed on a dish until dry.
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Dishwasher
If your dishes sit before you start the dishwasher, run a “rinse and hold” cycle until you’re ready to wash. To clean the whole machine, run an empty cycle with two cups of white vinegar (a natural odor absorber and neutralizer) instead of detergent. Remember that your dishwasher is not a garbage disposal: You can prevent odors by rinsing food off before you load.
Clothing
Stored clothing: At-home dry-cleaning kits like Dryel ($11 at supermarkets) remove stale odors.
Sweat/body odor: Wash your clothes to kill body odor in fabrics.
Shoes: Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row, and stuff them with newspaper, which absorbs moisture and, therefore, smells. Avoid sprays, which can leave a white residue.
Cigarette Smoke
No one should smoke in your home if you dislike the smell or the habit. When hosting an incorrigible guest, rely on cross-ventilation: Place a fan in a window, facing out. Ventilation is the best solution for ridding clothes and furniture of the noxious smell, and for immediate relief spritz Arm & Hammer Deodorizing Air Freshener ($10 at supermarkets). Citrus sprays work well, too.