How to Get Rid of Bad Smells in Your House 10 Ways
Because games are fun, but “what’s that smell?” isn’t one of them
Looking for ways to de-stink your home? Bad smells happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Imagine being greeted by scents of lavender and citrus rather than stale pet dander or last night’s dinner. Here’s how to get rid of bad smells in your house, no matter what’s causing that stench.
Why Does My House Smell?
Sometimes the source of a bad smell is easy to find: perhaps you left out a glass of milk on your nightstand or abandoned a full trash can while you went on vacation. But even if you take care of the issue, that smell can hang out long after you’ve identified it.
If you don’t have adequate airflow in your home or delay taking action on the stench, expect some stinky air to be an issue for a while. In this case, simple acts like opening a window can go a long way, if the weather allows.
However, if you’re not quite sure where that icky smell is coming from, and it just won’t go away, it could be a sign of a larger problem. Water damage, mold, persistent pet accidents, or a pest infestation can all cause some lingering foul odors. Consider this smell your first clue, and keep an eye out for any visible signs of mold, odd behavior from pets, or pests making your house their home.
1. Find the Source of the Bad Smell
Whether you want to get rid of a musty or sour smell in your house, you need to identify where it’s coming from. Many different areas in the home can produce smells that are unpleasant, and simply lighting a candle won’t get rid of the smell itself; it will just cover it up.
While you should certainly follow your nose here, if you still can’t find the source of the stink, try some common problem areas like bathrooms, basements, crawlspaces, garages, trashcans, and behind appliances. You can also call a professional to help find the source of a bad odor.
2. Encourage Airflow
Once you’ve identified the source of the stench, it’s time to get fresh air moving through your home. Open windows to get fresh air in and bad air out. Turning on the air conditioner or a fan can help, too.
3. Clean and Deodorize
With the windows open and the bad air moving out of the home, it’s time to get to work fighting the source of the bad smell. Wipe spills, clean stains, or scrub away messes that are causing the stench. If you’re not confident that you can clean regularly enough to keep odors at bay—or just aren’t quite sure where to start—a house cleaning company can help.
4. Change Air Filters
HEPA-certified air filters are a great resource because they help filter the air and eliminate bad smells. Of course, an air purifier is only as effective as its filter, so make sure you follow your air purifier’s guidelines and regularly change the filter. Most companies suggest changing it every three to six months for best results.
5. Use Deodorizers
Once you’ve found the source of the smell, cleaned it up, and opened the windows, it’s a good time to put out or refresh odor neutralizers throughout the home to take care of any lingering smells. Use those coffee grounds or baking soda in bowls or jars, or place vases of lavender in each room. You can also rely on store-bought deodorizers and air fresheners. This step can help eliminate the old smell and keep new odors away.
6. Use Baking Soda
The alkalinity of baking soda can neutralize odors in the air, so use this household product to your advantage. You can place an open box of it in your fridge, under your sink, or between your garbage can and the bag to help target problem areas. Cleaning your carpets with baking soda by sprinkling it over the affected area and then vacuuming it can also pull stubborn odors out of the materials. This is a particularly good option if your pets are the source of your bad smells.
7. Use Vinegar
Vinegar is highly acidic, which means it can kill bacteria and act as a DIY disinfectant, to some extent. Apply some vinegar to hard surfaces like countertops, the inside of your fridge, and even certain types of flooring to help eliminate bad odors. If the smell is coming from a sink drain, you can clean it with baking soda and vinegar for a one-two punch. Sprinkle some baking soda down the drain, pour some vinegar in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then flush it out by running the water for 30 seconds.
8. Do a Deep Clean
Bad odors in your home often don’t pop up out of nowhere, but instead accumulate and worsen over time. If you notice that addressing specific areas with spot cleaning doesn’t quite do the trick, give your home a deep cleaning. Just doing the following can do wonders for the smell inside your house:
Clean carpets and upholstery with baking soda.
Mop hard floor surfaces with an appropriate cleaner.
Empty the P-traps under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Give the toilets a good scrubbing inside and out.
Catch up on any dirty laundry that has accumulated.
Clean your sheets, towels, and washcloths.
Deep clean your appliances inside and out to remove stuck-on food and oil.
Clean out the inside of your garbage cans with a disinfectant.
Consider getting your HVAC vents cleaned out.
If these tasks aren’t in your wheelhouse, or you don’t have the time, don’t hesitate to call in a professional cleaner to get rid of the odors for good. The cost of a house cleaner is often worthwhile, especially if it means avoiding the dirty work yourself.
9. Clean Out Your Refrigerator
Rotting food is a common source of bad odors in homes, so give some extra attention to your fridge. Remove all of the contents and discard anything that’s old or expired. Scrub any food remnants off of the shelves and inner walls with a disinfectant. While food in your freezer probably isn’t causing the odor, given the temperature, you might as well give that a good cleaning, too, just to be safe.
10. Clean Upholstery
The upholstery on couches, recliners, and padded dining room chairs can hold onto foul odors, so don’t overlook them during your cleaning routine. Use an upholstery cleaner that’s safe for your material or some baking soda, and a vacuum to neutralize any contaminants that might be caught in the fabric. This tip might be your saving grace if you have pets that frequent the furniture, young kids that might unknowingly spill food or drinks on them, or smokers in your home.