Let’s admit it. We usually base our judgment about the quality of air based on its smell. However, this may be false in most cases. These days, you can find countless air fresheners, scented candles, and other products promising to make your home smell fresh all day!

Though these products can eliminate unpleasant odor inside your home, they may not get rid of the cause. So, instead of covering up these smells with scented sprays that may contain harmful chemicals, it’s more important to understand the reason why your house smells in the first place. Once you know where it’s coming from, you can take some steps to eliminate the source entirely.

Most Common Causes of Bad Odor at Home

• Leftover food
• Dirty and wet laundry 
• Dirty carpet
• Stagnant air
• Dust
• Pet urine/waste
• Garbage disposal
• Stale sheets
• Mold

Tips on Making Your House Smell Fresh

1. Find the Source of the Odor

It may be tempting to conceal the foul odor with an air freshener, but remember that this is only a short-term solution. It may not be effective for very long and can also affect your family’s health. Did you know that some air fresheners may release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) into your home’s air? According to experts, VOCs cause shortness of breath, headaches, eye, nose, and throat irritation, dizziness, and skin problems.

That’s why it’s best to inspect every room in your house for molds, water leaks, mildew, moisture, or condensation. Clean visible sources of mold or mildew right away. If it’s possible, repair any water leaks immediately because this is where moisture is gathering.

2. Clean All Rooms and Floors

Remove dust in every room in your house from top to bottom, including shelves, tables, ceiling fans, blinds, light fixtures, doors, windows, carpets, and electronics. Dust usually comes from the outside but also occurs naturally indoors. Aside from causing a bad smell in your home, it also causes allergies.

When it comes to your floors, you can use a damp cloth instead of sweeping or using a dry mop as these may stir dust back up into the air. When cleaning tile and grout, warm water and dish soap may do the trick. But for tough dirt and stains, you may need the help of a professional cleaning company.

3. Clean All Upholstery

Your upholstery, especially the couch, can easily trap spills, fur, dust, oil, and cooking odors. Check the label of your sofa for proper care. Usually, they tell you what cleaning liquids are safe, as well as the methods. Dry brush and vacuum are safe and excellent tools to remove dust, dry debris, and crumbs. Homemade solutions such as baking soda and some vinegar solutions can also help in smelly couch issues.

If you frequently use your couch or you have small children and pets, chances are it gets dirty more quickly. In this case, a deep cleaning may be necessary, so you need to contact a professional cleaning services company.

4. Wash Your Laundry and Sheets

Usually, people wash their sheets once a week. But if you sleep on your mattress frequently or you have pets and let them sleep in your bed, you may need to wash your sheets more than once a week. Sheets can accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, sweat, dust mites and their fecal matter and carcasses, and body oils that cause a bad smell.

On the other hand, avoid mixing sweaty clothes or wet towels with your dry laundry since this can muster a stinky smell. Or better yet, wash them right away. If you can’t, air dry before throwing them into the hamper. Moreover, hang them in a well-lit room or dry outside to ensure the freshest smell since fungus easily grows on moist and damp clothes. 

5. Open Your Windows

A closed home can trap pollutants and odors that hang in the air for a long time. Open your windows to allow outdoor air into your home. You can check your local air quality report before opening your windows if you are allergic to pollen. 

Key Takeaways

The tips mentioned above are among the countless things you can do to get rid of foul odor inside your home. Cleaning your home yourself utilizing homemade solutions is one way to save money. However, if the problem is severe, like damage caused by a harsh chemical or bleach spill, you may need professional help. Click here to know more about bleach spot repair and other cleaning services you can get.