Ever notice how certain pungent smells become more noticeable in certain parts of the house as temperatures climb outside, indicating the arrival of summer? Well, you’re not alone. The heat and humidity encourage the growth of bacteria and accelerate decomposition, making the smell from any food, scraps, or other debris worse. People also tend to take more showers and baths in the summer, which means that there is more buildup of organic material like hair and fluff, along with soap and scum. Then there’s the sweating. Sweating is your body’s way of cooling you down when it’s hot, but that can mean your clothes and shoes suffer the brunt of your body odor.
So, what can be done about these unwanted yet not entirely unavoidable odors that pop up in the summer months? Read on to find out.
Garbage disposal
Your garbage cans are one of the biggest culprits of emitting stink, especially during the summer months. It’s unpleasant yet inevitable, but there are ways to manage its less-than-ideal smells. Luckily for those living in Japan, there are numerous garbage can odor deodorizers you can purchase in one of the 100 yen stores for cheap. Simply chuck the deodorizer into the bottom of your garbage can and let it do its work.
You can also combat smells from the garbage can by buying scented bin liners, though depending on where you live in Japan, make sure the color of the bin liner aligns with the garbage collection rules of your local prefecture, ward, or neighborhood.
If you want to DIY your own deodorizers to keep smelly garbage smells at bay, there are a few options:
- Dryer sheets absorb smells, so you can put a piece or two at the bottom of your garbage can to help minimize stink
- Baking soda is a cheap, natural, and effective way of neutralizing unwanted odors. Simply sprinkle a generous amount on the bottom of your garbage can
- Vinegar is another cheap and natural alternative for minimizing unpleasant smells. You can use a vinegar and water solution mix to spray the inside of your garbage can to neutralize unwanted smells
- If you’re a coffee lover, adding some coffee grounds to the bottom of your garbage will help combat unpleasant smells
- Essential oils are also a great way to mask odors – simply add a few drops inside your garbage can and let it do its job
Lastly, try depositing food waste into zip-loc bags or separate containers, and sealing these up before throwing them away. If you’re really worried about the smell of food waste decomposing in the garbage can, you can keep the food waste in the fridge or freezer until it’s garbage day before throwing everything out.
For more info, check out our blog: Recommended Cleaning Products From The 100 Yen Store
Drains
Another source of stink is your drains, whether they are in the bathroom or kitchen. As previously mentioned, the heat and humidity encourage the growth of bacteria and accelerate decomposition, resulting in many unpleasant smells wafting up from these areas.
One way to minimize the smell is to flush the drains with hot water at least once a week to help dissolve and remove grease, soap, food bits, scum, hair, and other debris stuck to the sides of the pipe. You can give it a more thorough cleaning by flushing a baking soda and vinegar mix down the drains – simply pour half a cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Let it froth, bubble, and work its magic for 20 to 30 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water.
Another way to combat smelly drains is to regularly clean drain stoppers and strainers as they’re designed to catch and trap bits of food, hair, and other organic material. The buildup of these things can lead to stink, so it’s always good to clear away such debris to minimize any unwanted smells.
Lastly, there are drain deodorizers you can buy at the shops, which are a cheap yet effective way of minimizing smells from a drain. All you need to do is pop it into the drain strainer and continue to use your sink as usual.
For more info, check out our blog: Bathtub Troubles: How to Remove Clogs
Shoe odor
If you’re one of the poor unfortunate souls who have naturally sweaty feet, then summers can be particularly brutal on your footwear, as the sweat from your feet causes smells, which are then absorbed into your shoes. One way to minimize this issue is to wear moisture-wicking socks to help keep your feet dry and thus reduce odors.
Another method to combat smells wafting from your shoes is to use deodorizer sprays – give your shoes a good spritz and let them air dry on the genkan before storing them away. When you come home from work or school, you should also leave your shoes out for a bit before putting them away in the shoe cabinet to let them air out.
A third method of neutralizing shoe odors is to give them a sun bath. Sunlight is a natural antibacterial agent due to its ultraviolet rays that damage the DNA of bacteria, preventing them from growing. On weekends, leave your shoes out on the balcony or on the windowsill and let the sun soak into them for a few hours before putting them away.
DIY natural deodorant
Those visiting Japan for the first time may be rather surprised by the limited deodorant options in shops and supermarkets. This is because the strong scents of perfumes, colognes, and deodorants are not much favored by the local populace, and due to a genetic factor, Japanese people have a genetic mutation that reduces the production of body odor. This results in deodorants and perfumes not being as widely used.
If you are someone with rather strong body odor or are simply self-conscious about potentially offending members of the public with your body odor, especially in the summer, there are natural alternatives if you can’t find a deodorant in the shop that suits your fancy.
The ingredients you need are:
- Coconut oil – naturally moisturizing and contains antimicrobial properties
- Baking soda – absorbs and neutralizes odors
- Cornstarch
- Essential oils (optional) – provide fragrance and additional antibacterial properties
To create your own natural deodorant, simply mix the baking soda and cornstarch together, then add melted coconut oil. Mix everything together until you get a paste. For added fragrance, add a few drops of your preferred essential oil and stir the mixture. Clean and dry your underarms before adding a small amount of the mixture to them using the tips of your fingers or a flat stick. More information can be found here.
Ventilation
Last but not least, one of the best ways to minimize unpleasant and unwanted odors in the house is to ventilate the place frequently. Opening all the windows twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening – helps to replace stale, odor-filled air with fresh, clean air. It also helps to remove moisture and humidity that collects in the home, which can cause the growth of mold and mildew, both of which result in musty and unpleasant odors.
There are also exhaust fans, usually installed in the kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure to turn them on when cooking and showering to help clear away cooking smells and condensation that builds up after a hot shower.
Also, if you’re in the market for a new place to live, why not check out Village House, a real estate organization in Japan with over 1,000 properties across the country’s 47 prefectures.
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Freelance writer with over 2 years of experience writing for the Village House Blog, ESL teacher, and digital nomad who has lived in countries including The Czech Republic, The UK, The U.A.E., Japan, and most recently, Georgia. Is constantly on the hunt for the best, most optimal apartment for remote work when not enjoying going to film festivals, concerts, and the theater.