4 Simple Methods to Eliminate the Odor of Bleach in a Room

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Bleach smells can be unpleasant and lingering. Here are 4 simple ways to eliminate the bleach smell from a room:

1. Ventilation: Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate in the room. Use fans or air purifiers to help speed up the process.

2. Baking soda: Place bowls of baking soda around the room to absorb the odors. Leave them overnight or for a few days, then discard the baking soda.

3. Vinegar: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution around the room, focusing on areas with strong bleach smells. Vinegar helps neutralize odors.

4. Odor absorbers: Use commercial odor absorbers or homemade solutions like coffee grounds, activated charcoal, or citrus peels to soak up the bleach smell.

Remember to follow safety precautions and avoid mixing bleach with other cleaning agents.


Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent that effectively disinfects and whitens surfaces. This is why it is commonly found in various cleaning solutions and household products. However, bleach has a strong and distinct smell that can quickly become overwhelming. Inhaling bleach fumes can cause coughing, dizziness, and even more serious health issues. Even if the bleach used for cleaning is not strong enough to pose a health risk, it can still leave behind a lingering smell. If you are looking for ways to get rid of the bleach smell in your house, there are several options you can try.

4 Simple Methods to Eliminate the Odor of Bleach in a Room

1. Fresh Air

The first and easiest step to remove the smell of bleach in a room is to introduce fresh air. Open windows and doors to improve airflow. Fresh air can help dissipate the strong bleach smell. Opening windows allows the bleach particles to escape and allows fresh, clean-smelling air to enter. For better results, open multiple windows and use a fan to circulate the air.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. Place a dish filled with about 1/2 cup of baking soda in the room you are cleaning and let it sit for a few hours. Baking soda will effectively absorb the bleach smell. This method is especially useful if the room does not have windows or proper ventilation.

Tip

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (such as lavender) to the dish of baking soda to infuse a pleasant smell into the room while eliminating the bleach odor. Scatter multiple dishes of baking soda and essential oil throughout the space to act as homemade air fresheners.

3. Activated Charcoal

Similar to baking soda, activated charcoal is a natural odor absorber. It is even more effective than baking soda in eliminating smells. However, activated charcoal may require a special trip to a health food store as it may not be readily available in your pantry. Use activated charcoal in the same way as baking soda by placing it in a dish and leaving it in the room. The bleach odor will be eliminated within a few hours.

4. Vinegar

White vinegar is commonly used in DIY household cleaners due to its cleaning abilities and its ability to remove unpleasant odors. Pour approximately a cup of white vinegar into a bowl and place it in the room where you want to eliminate the bleach smell. Close the door and let the vinegar sit overnight. The bleach smell should be completely gone the next day, although there may be a lingering smell of vinegar. This vinegar smell will dissipate on its own after about an hour.

Caution

Combining bleach and vinegar can produce a deadly chlorine gas. This gas can be fatal in large amounts. To avoid this hazardous mixture, only use vinegar to eliminate the odor of bleach in a room after the bleach has evaporated or dried. Once you have used bleach to clean a room, dampen a washcloth with warm water, clean the surfaces, and then dry them with a fresh microfiber cloth. Once the bleach has dried, it is safe to utilize vinegar to eliminate the odor.

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