Britain is a nation of animal lovers. Some 62% of UK households have pets who offer their owners companionship, emotional support and love.
But there are downsides to sharing a living space with animals. One of them is the lingering odours they leave behind that can be unpleasant to smell and exceptionally difficult to get rid of.
Fear not, however, as there's one simple life hack that can keep unwanted odours at bay. And the good news is we all have easy access to it and, if it's not already sitting in your kitchen cupboard, it's not expensive to buy.
The Liverpool Echo has published advice from property experts at GetAgent which recommends the use of baking powder to eradicate nasty scents. The versatiles product, which can be purchased for around 95p at the supermarket, is often used to increase volume and lighten the texture of baked goods.
But that's not it's only use. It can also be combined with water to create a paste that can be used to scrub stains on worktops, ovens and more.
And, thanks to it's absorbent properties, the natural deoderant can be a godsend to anyone wanting to banish foul smells from their homes.
It can be used in the fridge to absorb persistent food odours - just pop an open container of baking powder in the area and let it get to work. It can also be sprinkled on carpets, rugs and soft furnishings and then vacuumed up.
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Colby Short, CEO and co-founder of GetAgent, said: "Baking powder is a great, natural deodoriser. Sprinkle some onto a soft surface you want to clean, allow it to sit - overnight if you can - and then vacuum it up the next day.
"Top tip - you can also use baking powder instead of buying scented litter, if you have cats. It's less off putting to them so will keep your furry friend happy, while diminishing the smell inside your home.
"Our furry friends are as much a part of the family as the rest of us, and particularly throughout the last few years - pets have become an absolute lifeline to many of us in terms of companionship, and offering opportunities to get out of the house."
Offering advice to people putting their homes up for sale and having to ensure potential buyers aren't put off by pets, Short added: "That said, not everyone likes to keep pets in the home, and with selling your house a tricky enough process as it is, making sure there's nothing in your home to put off potential buyers is vitally important for anyone with a pet-friendly home. Keeping your home free of pet-related clutter and smells, will help you get that sale as quickly as possible, so you can move onto your next dream home."
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