Business
A pleasant-smelling home doesn’t just feel welcoming—it boosts comfort, health, and overall mood. Foul odors, however, can leave you reaching for air fresheners that merely mask the problem. To truly refresh your space, it’s essential to identify and eliminate odor sources, not just cover them. Whether it’s lingering pet smells, musty mildew, or kitchen mishaps, here we will learn how to get rid of bad smell in the house, tackle every stinky situation with confidence – and thorough methods that bring lasting freshness.
Key Takeaways
- Identify the source first—masking the smell won’t solve the problem.
- Kitchen waste, pet mess, and mold are the top causes of household odors.
- Baking soda is a powerful natural odor absorber for mattresses, fridges, and more.
- Pets smell too! Maintain their hygiene and clean their bedding regularly.
- Bathrooms and clogged drains often harbor hidden smells—clean them deeply.
- Trash cans can stink up the whole house—sanitize them regularly or hire a trash can cleaning service.
- Dirty air filters and vents can circulate odors—replace or clean them often.
- Lemon peels and essential oils offer a fresh, natural scent after deep cleaning.
- Ozone treatment is a professional, last-resort option for stubborn smells.
- Prevention is better than masking—regular cleaning keeps your home fresh.
Causes of Bad Smell in House
In order to get rid of unpleasant odors in your home, you should first locate and eradicate the source of the stench, then use natural odor absorbers like vinegar or baking soda, increase ventilation, and clean clothes and surfaces.
Some common causes of bad smells in houses are –
Kitchen Garbage or Spoiled Food
Expired food products, kitchen garbage, or rotten leftovers in the cooking bin rapidly generate sour and pungent smells. When food waste decomposes, it leaks bacteria and produces unpleasant gases and odors throughout the house. Regularly cleaning your kitchen trash can and disposing of spoiled food can help eliminate these odors.
Pet Urine or Dander
Having pets in the home is wonderful. But it takes a lot of responsibility to take care of them. Their saliva, accidents, and natural shedding can cause lingering. Even if you clean immediately, bacteria from urine can soak into carpets, wood, or upholstery, and pet dander in vents may blow odor back into living spaces. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting areas where pets frequent can help eliminate these odors.
Mold or Mildew
Dampy areas in your home, like bathrooms, basements, or around windows, attract mold and mildew. This leads to a musty and earthy scent. These microbes smell bad, impact indoor air quality, and can ultimately damage the surfaces they colonize. What can you do to remove this odor? Regularly inspect the signs of mold or mildew in your home and address those minor issues.
Cigarette Smoke
Smoke particles cling to fabrics, walls, and even HVAC systems, creating a persistent, stale odor. Even after the last puff, the smell lingers in soft furnishings, curtains, and carpets, making it hard to eliminate without deep cleaning or professional treatment. Use air purifiers in your home to eliminate these odors.
Stagnant Water or Clogged Drains
Slow-draining sinks, stagnant water, floor traps, and clogged drains are yet another source of bad smell in the house. When water accumulates in drains or pipes, it can create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, leading to unpleasant odors. Inspect and maintain your plumbing system regularly to get rid of such odors.
Flooring and Carpets
Absorbing food spills, pet accidents, and dampness, carpets, and rugs can become odor reservoirs. The padding underneath carpets makes it worse, as it traps the smell beneath the surface. Even laminate or hardwood may retain odors between floorboards. Maintain and clean the floors and carpets at regular intervals to keep these odors at bay.
Toilets/Bathrooms
Toilets and bathrooms can be a common source of bad smells in houses. When toilets and bathrooms are not regularly cleaned and disinfected, they can harbor bacteria and other microorganisms that cause unpleasant odors. Disinfect them regularly to avoid any unpleasant smell.
Building or Apartment Smells
If you live in a multi-unit building, trash chute odors can often be the culprit. These odors can be hard to remove with basic cleaning and often require professional intervention. If this sounds good, consider exploring our specialized Trash Chute Odor Removal service to keep your building fresh and odor-free. The team of Space City Sanitizers is an expert in cleaning, sanitizing, and odor removal to keep your home and space odor-free.
Easy Ways to Get Rid of Bad Smell in House
Removing bad smells in your home is simple, provided you take the given steps. Some effective ways to eliminate bad smells are –
Clean your Trash Can
Cleaning your trash can regularly can help eliminate bad smells in your house. Make sure to wash your trash can with soap and water and dry it thoroughly to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.
Consider hiring a trash can cleaning service to do the job for you as they sanitize thoroughly and neutralize the lingering scents. One such name in the professional trash can cleaning service is Space City Sanitizers. They are OSHA-certified, fully licensed, and pay attention to detail.
Use Baking Soda to Absorb Refrigerator Odors
Does baking soda absorb odors? Yes, it can. It is a natural odor absorber that can help eliminate bad smells in your refrigerator. Simply place an open container of baking soda in your refrigerator and let it sit for a few days to absorb any unpleasant odors.
Deep-Clean your Dishwasher Regularly
The next in the list of how to remove odor is deep cleaning the dish washer regularly. Food particles and grease settle in dishwasher filters and around door seals over time. Run a vinegar cycle or use specialized dishwasher cleaners monthly. Wipe rubber gaskets and door edges to eliminate trapped debris that causes foul odors.
Clean your Toilets
Bacteria around the rim, under the tank, or between tiles can cause persistent bathroom odors. Scrub thoroughly with a disinfectant, paying special attention to areas underneath the toilet bowl and behind the seat—routine cleaning keeps smells at bay and ensures freshness.
Sprinkle Baking Soda on Musty Mattresses, Pet Beds
While vacuuming removes surface dust, odors linger within fabrics. Sprinkle baking soda over mattresses, pet beds, and upholstered furniture, let sit for a few hours, then vacuum clean. It absorbs hidden moisture and smell without harsh chemicals.
Maintain Pet’s Hygiene
Even well-groomed pets can bring in smells via paws or fur after outdoor play. Bathe your pets regularly, clean bedding, and wipe paws before re-entry. Periodically vacuum or steam-clean their favorite spots to prevent odor buildup.
Keep your Kitchen Clean
Grease, food scraps, and spills trapped under appliances or in hard-to-reach areas can create sour smells over time. Wipe counters, stovetops, and floors daily, clean under appliances monthly, and don’t forget pantry corners or bins.
Change your Air Filter
Dirty HVAC filters circulate dust, allergens, and odors throughout your home. Replace or clean filters every 1–3 months, depending on usage and pet presence. A fresh filter promotes cleaner air and reduces lingering smells.
Clean Air Vents and HVAC Filters
Dust buildup inside vents and ducts can distribute stale or musty odors when your system runs. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean vent covers monthly. For deeper cleaning, consider professional duct cleaning for HVAC systems.
Boil Lemon Peels or Use Essential Oil Diffusers
For a natural scent boost, simmer lemon peels, cinnamon sticks, or herbs on low heat. Alternatively, use diffusers with essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, or citrus. They add a pleasant aroma without masking problems—best used after odor sources are eliminated.
Ozone Treatment for Stubborn Odors
Ozone treatment is necessary for stubborn odors. It involves using ozone generators to oxidize odor particles, effectively eliminating them. This treatment is effective against smoke, pet odors, mold, and lingering smells. However, it must be done in unoccupied spaces with proper ventilation post-treatment. Professional sanitizing services from Space City Sanitizers can help you get rid of stubborn odors and restore your space.
Conclusion
Bad smells are never just “normal”—they’re signals your home needs targeted care. When it comes to getting rid of bad smells in the house, identify the sources and use the right techniques and products to eliminate them effectively. Remember to regularly clean and maintain your home, including your trash can, refrigerator, dishwasher, toilets, and air vents.
If you’re tired of living with bad smells in your house, it’s time to take action. Contact Space City Sanitizers today to learn more about our services and let us help you eliminate bad smells to keep your home fresh and clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will absorb odors in a house?
Baking soda, activated charcoal, coffee grounds, and white vinegar are excellent natural odor absorbers for household smells.
How to locate the source of a smell?
Follow your nose to the strongest scent area and inspect high-risk zones like trash cans, drains, appliances, or hidden mold spots.
How long will a bowl of vinegar absorb odors?
A bowl of vinegar can absorb odors for 24–48 hours before needing to be replaced for continued effectiveness.
What does black mold smell like?
Black mold typically has a strong, musty, earthy odor similar to rotting wood or damp socks.
Is there such a thing as an odor detector?
Yes, electronic odor detectors and air quality monitors can help detect gases and pollutants that cause unpleasant smells.
Can an air purifier remove smell?
Yes, air purifiers with activated carbon filters are effective at trapping and neutralizing odors from pets, cooking, smoking, and more.
