By Amber Ward
Ever walked into your home and noticed a strange smell? It’s surprisingly easy for bad smells to sneak into our homes and get worse over time – and even easier for us to initially overlook them. From the hidden mold in the corners to the old spices in your kitchen cabinet, there are countless culprits behind those smells. This guide will help you in uncovering and eliminating these sources. We’ve put together a list of the most common, yet often unnoticed, reasons your house might be less than fresh-smelling. Explore some of the surprising sources and simple fixes that’ll transform your home into a fresher space.
Trapped odors in your carpet
Ever walked into a room and been hit with a musty smell, but can’t figure out where it’s coming from? It might just be your carpet. Over time, carpets can trap all sorts of odors – from pet smells to spilled food.
It’s sneaky because it happens gradually. You might not even notice it, but your guests will. The solution? Regular deep cleaning. A good carpet deep clean will not only refresh your home’s smell – it will also make your carpet look like new!
Forgetting to change the water in your vases
You’d think that by keeping flowers around the house would fill it with the scent of a fresh garden, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re not changing your flower water regularly, your vases can quite literally turn into mini swamps.
This doesn’t just smell unpleasant, it also shortens your flowers’ lifespans. It’s an easy thing to overlook, but the smell of stale flower water can easily permeate. The fix is simple: fresh water every couple of days keeps those flowers blooming and your room smelling fresh.
Dust building up in your air vents
When was the last time you gave your air vents a good clean? If it’s been a while, they might be covered in dust, and that’s not good news for your home’s smell. Essentially, that accumulated dust and dirt in your vents can spread musty odors every time your AC or heating kicks in.
So, to keep your house smelling fresh, make sure to give your vents a good clean every couple of months. It’s not the most exciting task – but a little bit of regular cleaning can go a long way in keeping your home’s air fresh.
Spilled snacks in between your couch cushions
We all enjoy a good movie night, complete with snacks on the couch. It’s all fun and games, until crumbs and other snacky bits find their way in between the cushions. Now these sneaky leftovers aren’t just bad for your couch cushions – they can start to stink up the place too.
Regularly lift and vacuum under those cushions to save yourself from those mysterious smells. Not only will this keep your couch fresh, but here’s an added perk: you might also find that missing earring or some unexpected spare change down there too!
Forgotten items in your pantry
You know that back corner of your pantry, the one you hardly ever check? It might be hiding more than just old canned goods. Old, forgotten food items, especially those past their best before date, can be the source of odd smells in your kitchen.
We’ve all been there – finding that ancient bag of potatoes turned science experiment. The solution is to check your pantry regularly. Not only will it keep your kitchen smelling fresh, but you might also find and rescue items that are close to their expiration date.
Unnoticed pet accidents
Noticed a slightly odd smell but not thought too much of it, only to find a forgotten pet accident days later? Pets, as much as we love them, can sometimes have accidents in hidden spots, and these unnoticed messes can leave behind odors that can gradually fill your home.
Keeping an eye out for these little accidents and cleaning them as soon as possible is key. And here’s a tip: consider buying a black light, it’ll help you detect any sneaky, more hidden spots that would otherwise likely escape your notice.
Stale spices and herbs in your kitchen
Have you found that when you open your spice cabinet your senses are overwhelmed not by the combination of herbs and spices, but also by a smell or something not quite right? Over time, herbs and spices lose their pungency and start emitting a musty smell.
Regularly refreshing your spice collection does more than just elevate your cooking by keeping your spices vibrant and flavorful – it’ll also keep your kitchen smelling great. It’s a small detail with a big impact on both your dishes and your nose.
Mold in hidden corners of your house
Mold can often be found hiding in damp, out-of-sight areas – think under sinks or in rarely used cabinets – and it can be the culprit behind that persistent musty smell. Notice a strange musty smell that you just can’t seem to find the cause of or eliminate with air freshener?
Well, it might be time to hunt for hidden mold. Regular checks and cleaning can prevent mold growth, keeping your home smelling fresh and clean. Oh, and not to mention, getting rid of mold creates an overall healthier living space.
Unwashed bed linens
Think about your guest room, the one that’s only used every now and then. The bed linens in there might not be getting the attention they need. The unused linens can gather dust and absorb odors, leading to a musty smell in the room.
The key is to regularly wash these linens, even if the bed hasn’t been slept in. It’ll mean your guest room always smells fresh and welcoming – and it’s a nice touch that your guests will definitely appreciate. After all, nothing beats the feel of fresh, clean sheets!
Letting your basement get damp
It’s well known that basements are prone to dampness, but that moisture can lead to musty odors seeping through your entire home. This is a common issue, especially in older houses. To avoid the unpleasant stagnant smell, always keep the air moving and use a dehumidifier to maintain dry conditions.
This way you can prevent that damp, earthy smell from taking over. And, with regular checks and proper maintenance, you can do more than just get rid of odors – you might just discover the potential to turn your basement into an extra usable room in your home.
Overstuffing your closets
Many of struggle to find enough storage space in our homes, so we often end up packing our closets to their limits. But overstuffed closets don’t just make finding your favorite sweater a challenge – they can also trap stale air and odors.
Clothes, especially those that aren’t regularly worn, can start to smell musty if not properly aired out. The solution is simple yet effective -declutter and organize. So, give your clothes some breathing room, it’ll not only makes your mornings easier but also keep your closets and clothes smelling fresh.
Trash cans overflowing
When trash piles up, it’s not just visible – it’s also very much smellable. Think of the combination of food scraps, packaging, and other waste – that mix of odors that can take over your kitchen, and sometimes your entire home. Make sure to regularly empty and clean your trash cans.
We know it’s not the most pleasant task, but staying on top of it really is key to avoiding bad smells. And don’t forget to use a good liner! You don’t want a liner that’ll break as you try and lift it out of your bin, or even worse, on the way to the garbage.
Letting dirty laundry pile up in hampers
We’ve all been guilty of letting laundry pile up at some point. It can sometimes get overwhelming and get pushed to the side – with only regularly used items on the top of the baskets being washed. But this habit can be a major contributor to household odors.
Dirty clothes, especially damp gym gear, can create an unwelcoming smell in your home. The solution is pretty straightforward – regular laundry days. Keeping on top of your laundry will keep your home smelling fresh and also makes the task less daunting.
Grease and food buildup on your appliances
When giving your kitchen a clean, how often do you properly clear your blender, microwave or toaster inside out? They’re often overlooked in the cleaning routine, but if neglected for too long, they can cause a major stink, as grease and food particles can cling to these appliances.
And, it can really build up over time. This not only affects their performance but can also lead to unpleasant odors in your kitchen. So next time you clean your kitchen, don’t just clean the obvious surface, make sure to clean inside your appliances too.