Absorb the Odor
Baking soda is the most commonly used and recommended product for absorbing odors. And it's inexpensive (about one dollar a box) and effective. Many of us know that to remove an odor from a refrigerator we simply need to place an opened box of baking soda in the fridge or freezer compartment. The same technique will work in any small, enclosed area of the home, closets and storage chests included. Baking soda can also be used to absorb carpet and furniture odors by sprinkling it onto the offensive area, then allowing the baking soda to sit for several hours before vacuuming it up.

Another way to use baking soda as a household deodorizer is to mix two cups of water with two teaspoons of baking soda in a spray bottle. Mist the mixture onto soiled surfaces.

Looking for more odor absorbers? Try kitty litter, charcoal, chalk or newspaper. Litter and chalk can be left in open containers. Contain the mess of charcoal by placing it in a box or container with several holes punched in it. These are especially effective at removing musty odors in damp areas, as the substances will absorb humidity in the air as well.

Neutralize the Odor
Neutralizing an odor that is trapped in a fabric or porous surface is the best, and often the only way to permanently eliminate it. Look to your kitchen cabinet for a common household grocery item that serves double duty as an odor neutralizer: vinegar.

Vinegar is useful for a variety of cleaning purposes and odor removal. Vinegar is especially useful for cleaning odors caused by pet accidents and is recommended by many veterinarians to eliminate cat urine odors. It is important to use something like vinegar to neutralize cat urine because unless the scent is destroyed, the cat will likely make the same spot his regular potty place.

Mix vinegar and water in a one-to-one solution and douse the offensive smell. Blot with a towel to remove excess liquid and let dry. Pouring vinegar into coffee pots (half cup to a pot), garbage disposals, and sink drains is highly effective at cleaning and deodorizing, as is microwaving a bowl of vinegar and water or a vinegar and water soaked dishcloth to remove odors in the microwave.

Other items to try are club soda (which is a good fabric spot and stain cleaner, too), lemon juice (not recommended for fabric) and citrus fruit wedges. Fruit wedges from lemons and oranges deodorize trashcans and garbage disposals (slice and place in the trash or run through the disposal).

Eliminate the Source
Eliminating household odors does not have to be expensive, and these handy, everyday items can do the trick nicely. The most effective use of any odor removal product is eliminating the source of the odor to keep you home odor free. Depending on the surface, a thorough soap and water washing may be all that is needed; for sensitive fabrics and hard to reach odor origins, try using one of the methods mentioned here.