We've all been there. You just cleaned your countertops or sanitized something, and now your house smells like a pickle jar.

Vinegar is an awesome cleaner, but that strong smell can stick around way longer than you'd want. But don't worry, though! There are some easy tricks to get rid of it fast.

In this post, I’ll show you 8 ways to get rid of that vinegar smell in house.

#1 Open All The Windows

First things first—air it out! Open every window and door in the house.

The fresh air will work wonders. It’s the easiest and quickest way to get the smell moving out and fresh air moving in. The longer you can keep those windows open, the better.

Even if it’s cold outside, a little ventilation goes a long way in getting rid of odors.

If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn smell, you can even use a fan to push the air around. Just set it by the window and let the wind do its thing. You’ll notice the difference in no time.

Also Read: How To Clean Bird Poop Off Cement

#2 Set Out Some Bowls Of Baking Soda

Baking soda isn’t just for baking. It’s a little magic powder that can absorb smells.

Just grab a few bowls, fill them with baking soda, and place them around the house—especially in areas where the vinegar smell is the strongest. It’ll pull in the odors like a vacuum and leave your space smelling much fresher.

Baking soda is great because it’s cheap, safe, and doesn’t just mask the smell. It neutralizes it. So, it’s not just covering up the vinegar; it’s making sure it doesn’t come back.

Leave the bowls out for a day or two, and you’ll be amazed at how much better your house smells.

#3 Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another powerhouse when it comes to absorbing smells.

It’s often sold in small bags or containers, and you can find it in stores or online.

Place a few bags or pieces around your house, and they’ll start working immediately.

Just like baking soda, activated charcoal pulls in smells. But the best part is that it’s super effective for stubborn odors, like that vinegar smell in your house. The charcoal doesn’t just mask it; it traps the molecules that cause the smell, so the air stays fresh.

Activated charcoal is especially helpful if the vinegar scent has seeped into fabrics like curtains, rugs, or couches.

Give it a day or two, and you should notice a big difference.

Also Read: Easiest Bathroom Tile To Clean

#4 Diffuse Some Essential Oils

Essential oils are a natural and pleasant way to cover up or eliminate strong smells.

You can use an essential oil diffuser to fill your house with a nice, fresh scent. Try oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or peppermint. They’re not just pleasant; they also have natural properties that can help with air purification.

If you don’t have a diffuser, you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a cotton ball or a small bowl of water and place it around the house.

The smell will gradually replace the vinegar smell, and you’ll be left with something much more soothing.

#5 Toss Some Citrus Peels Around

This one’s fun and eco-friendly. Got any citrus fruits lying around? Lemons, oranges, limes—they all work. Peel them, and scatter the peels around your house.

You can put them in bowls, on plates, or even directly on shelves.

Citrus peels naturally release a fresh, zesty scent as they dry. Over time, this will help counteract the vinegar smell. And hey, once the peels dry out completely, you can toss them in your compost bin. Win-win.

Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t start growing mold, especially if your house is humid.

#6 Leave Out Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds are another surprisingly effective smell-remover. It’s not just because they smell nice—they also absorb bad odors, including that lingering vinegar scent.

Place a bowl of used coffee grounds around the house, and let them work their magic.

The smell of coffee can overpower the vinegar smell in the best way possible.

You can leave the coffee grounds in different spots, or even tuck them into areas where the vinegar smell is worst.

It’s a simple, natural trick that’s easy to do and doesn’t cost much. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of coffee?

Also Read: Why Does My Toilet Get Dirty So Fast?

#7 Boil Lemon Water

Lemon is known for its refreshing, clean scent, and boiling lemon water is one of the easiest ways to get rid of strong vinegar smells in your home.

Just slice up a couple of lemons, throw them in a pot with water, and bring it to a simmer on the stove. The steam from the boiling water will fill your house with that fresh lemon scent, and help eliminate the vinegar.

This is especially great to do while you’re cleaning or when you just need a quick fix for a smelly kitchen.

The citrusy steam will instantly freshen up the air. Plus, it gives your home a nice, cozy vibe. You’ll feel like you’re at a spa.

#8 Run A Dehumidifier

Sometimes, the problem isn’t just the smell itself but also the moisture that’s trapping it in the air.

If your house is a bit too humid, the vinegar smell might stick around longer.

A dehumidifier can help reduce the moisture in the air and make your house feel fresher overall.

Running a dehumidifier for a few hours can help dry out the air, which makes the smell of vinegar disappear much faster.

Dehumidifiers aren’t just for getting rid of vinegar odors, either. They’re great for keeping your home comfortable year-round. If you don’t own one, consider borrowing one from a friend or renting one for a day. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Dilute Your Vinegar With Water Next Time!

Now that we’ve covered how to get rid of that vinegar smell in the house, let’s talk about how to avoid it in the future.

Next time you use vinegar for cleaning, dilute it with some water. This will still give you the cleaning power of vinegar without the overpowering smell.

A simple solution is to mix one part vinegar with one part water.

This way, you get all the benefits of vinegar—without the full force of the smell. Your house will stay clean and fresh without needing to worry about that strong, vinegary scent taking over.

Bottom Line

Dealing with a vinegar smell in the house doesn’t have to be a headache.

With a few easy tricks, you can get rid of it fast and keep your space smelling fresh. From opening windows and using baking soda to boiling lemon water and using a dehumidifier, there are lots of ways to clear the air.

And next time, remember to dilute your vinegar! That’ll make things much easier, and your house won’t have to smell like a salad dressing factory.

FAQs

Remove Vinegar Smell From Clothes

To get rid of the vinegar smell on your clothes, just toss them back in the wash with a cup of baking soda. That should help neutralize the odor. You can also add a little fabric softener or some diluted vinegar in the rinse cycle to help clear it up.

Does Vinegar Smell Go Away When Dry?

The vinegar smell usually fades once it dries, but it can linger for a bit, especially if you’ve used a lot of vinegar for cleaning. To speed things up, just open a window, turn on a fan, or boil some lemon water on the stove.

Vinegar Smell In House? (Here's How To Get Rid Of It)