Introduction
Have you ever entered a room, only to be hit with a smell you can't quite identify? If you can't put your finger on its source, it's probably coming from somewhere inside your house. The reality is that every home has odours — some pleasant and some not so pleasant.
If your nose is telling you something isn’t quite right about the air in your house, it may be time to face the smell head-on and discover why it's there in the first place. In this article, we'll discuss 10 of the most common unpleasant odours that may be lingering in your home and how you can get rid of them. Plus, we'll share helpful tips for making sure they don't come back. So if you're ready to finally say goodbye to any objectionable odours in your house, let’s get started!
Common Causes of Unpleasant Odours in the Home
Sometimes it's difficult to pinpoint the source of unpleasant odours in the home. You might notice the smell seemingly out of nowhere, and you start to worry that there's something deeply wrong with your house. But don't stress! You can get to the root cause with a little bit of detective work.
There are several common household odours, each with its own source:
-Musty smells often come from moisture—you have wet areas in your house, either from a leak or from steam from cooking or showers.
-Smoke odours are usually caused by cigarette smoke or burning food in the kitchen.
-Rotten egg smells can come from sewage pipes if there’s a backflow issue or a clogged drain.
-Wet dog odours tend to be caused by pet urine on carpets and furniture.
-Stale beer smells might come from spilled drinks on furniture or old beer in the fridge.
-Rotting food scents typically arise when food is left in places where it can spoil, such as under furniture or behind appliances.
By identifying these common causes, you can start to narrow down the source of your unpleasant odour and begin your journey towards a fresher-smelling home!
Use Natural Home Remedies and Essential Oil Blends
Now that you know why your house smells bad, it's time to start eliminating the odours. While you can buy commercially available sprays and odour neutralizers, it's a much better idea to go with natural home remedies like vinegar, baking soda and essential oil blends.
Vinegar is great for removing odours like pet smells because its high acid content helps break down the source of the smell. Simply mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and spritz away in any areas that are giving off an unpleasant smell.
Baking soda is another powerful odour absorber because of its alkaline quality. You can sprinkle baking soda directly on carpets or couches or make a paste of 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water to clean hard surfaces like walls and countertops.
Finally, for a more pleasurable scent you can use essential oil blends. You can create your own unique scent by mixing citrusy oils like lemons, limes or oranges with herb-scented oils such as sweet orange, citronella or lemongrass. Let the blend sit overnight before adding 10-15 drops per 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle to spritz around your house!
Deodorize With Citrus Essential Oils
The best way to get rid of unpleasant odours in your house is to deodorize with citrus essential oils. Citrus oil is a natural deodoriser and air freshener, and it's great for eliminating odours.
Plus, unlike aerosol sprays and plug-in air fresheners, citrus essential oils don't contain any toxic chemicals (like phthalates, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds) or perfumes that can trigger allergies—so you can use them safely in your home.
Using citrus essential oils like SHIORA's Sweet Orange essential oil and Lemongrass scent means that you not only get rid of the bad odour, but you also replace it with a pleasant aroma.
Benefits of Citrus Essential Oils
- Neutralises and absorbs bad odours
- Environmentally friendly and non-toxic
- Non-allergenic formula
- Lingering pleasant aroma
- No harsh chemicals
Get Rid of Pet Odours and Second-Hand Smoke Odours
No one likes the smell of pet odours and second-hand smoke in their house. It's an unpleasant smell that lingers in the air and can make it difficult to breathe. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce pet odours and second-hand smoke odours.
Invest in air filters
Investing in a good air filter will help to trap any pet, smoke or other odours. Air filters contain specialised carbon filters which absorb and neutralise unpleasant odours, so your home will start to smell better over time.
Change your air filters regularly
Once you've got your air filter, make sure you change the filter regularly – usually every three months – in order for it to remain effective at filtering the air in your home.
Use SHIORA Home Fragrance product
Finally, using SHIORA Home Fragrance product is a great way to mask any bad odours while leaving your home smelling fresh and inviting. With natural ingredients and essential oils, SHIORA Home Fragrance products will help you create a clean, comfortable atmosphere that smells great.
Tackle Musty Smells in the Basement and Crawl Spaces
Musty odours in the basement or crawl spaces can be another tricky source of unpleasant smells in the house. It's likely due to mildew or mould, so the first thing you should do is figure out which one it is, since treatment for the two is different.
If it's mould, you'll need bleach or chlorine products to remove it from walls and other surfaces. Be sure to wear protective clothing and a mask when cleaning with these types of products, as they can be hazardous if not used correctly.
If it's mildew, typically a solution of half vinegar and half water will do the trick. You can also use baking soda: sprinkle some over affected areas and let sit for a few hours before vacuuming. This should help absorb moisture in the air and reduce odours in your home:
To prevent musty smells from returning to your basement or crawl space:
- Check for sources of humidity like water leaks, condensation, etc., and fix them immediately.
- Make sure all parts of your home are well ventilated with fresh air.
- Consider using dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels low.
- Add SHIORA Home Fragrance natural essential oils to your humidifier to create a relaxing ambiance in your home.
Combat Laundry Room and Bathroom Odours
It’s not always easy to keep the air in your bathroom and laundry room smelling fresh, especially if family members are constantly in and out. The good news is there are simple ways to help prevent odours from taking over.
If you want a quick fix, SHIORA Home Fragrance offers natural aromatherapy reed diffuser scents that can be used to provide a pleasant aroma and neutralise odours.
For a longer-term solution that won’t require you to buy a new air freshener every week, here are some tips:
Change wet towels regularly
Make sure everyone in the house knows to change wet towels after their shower. As towels dry out, mould and mildew start forming which can cause an unpleasant smell. This applies to bath mats as well - dry them up outside or hang them up each time they get wet.
Deep clean surfaces
Since the bathroom is usually humid, bacteria can easily accumulate on surfaces like bathtubs, toilets, tiles, walls and more. To reduce odours and keep bacteria levels low, make sure all of these surfaces are being cleaned regularly with soapy water or disinfectant cleaners.
Keep the space well-ventilated
Ventilation is key to a fresh-smelling house - it helps release stale air and lets new air into the space. Maximise the natural flow of air by opening windows while people use the bathroom or kitchen - this will prevent any bad smells from accumulating inside your home!
Control Cooking Smells With Range Hoods, Fans, and Filters
Are you sick of that cooking smell that lingers in your house after you've prepared dinner? You're probably not alone!
You don't have to suffer from lingering cooking odours—take control of your kitchen with range hoods, fans, and filters.
Range hoods help keep your kitchen free from odour-causing grease and steam by removing them from the air with an overhead fan. Look for models that are efficient and effective, and make sure to clean the filters regularly so they can work at full power!
Fans can help to disperse lingering cooking smells into other areas of your home. They can be used whenever you start to notice odours — just turn on a fan near where the source of the odour is located to help quickly push it away.
Filters are also a great way to control cooking smells. An activated charcoal filter can trap particles in the air and remove them. Look for one specifically designed to absorb odorous molecules: these are perfect for trapping food odours, smoke, pet odours and much more.
Eliminate Clutter to Avoid Unpleasant Fumes
One of the most common ways your house may smell bad is due to clutter. Piles of old clothes, stacks of newspapers and boxes filled with stuff take up valuable space and can lead to unpleasant odours. By decluttering and taking out the trash, you can dramatically improve the smell of your home.
Get rid of musty odours
Musty odours in your home usually come from mould or mildew, which often grow in dark, damp places such as basements or bathrooms. Ventilate these areas by opening windows and doors, and use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels. Cleaning surfaces with a diluted bleach solution can also help get rid of the smell.
Clean carpets regularly
If you want to ensure that your carpets are smelling fresh, regular vacuuming and shampooing are essential. If you have pets, it’s even more important to deep-clean carpets on a regular basis as pet fur and dander can contribute to bad odours in the home. In addition, avoid leaving shoes or wet clothing on carpets to prevent mould and mildew growth.
Clean Carpets, Rugs, and Upholstery to Stop Stale Smells
Apart from dust and dirt, your carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture can also house dust mites and other allergens which can cause bad smells that’s difficult to get rid of. If you’re dealing with bad odours coming from carpets, rugs and furniture then you should consider having them professionally cleaned.
Generally speaking, carpets should be vacuumed at least once a week but it’s best to have them professionally cleaned yearly. Likewise for upholstered furniture. If you live in a humid environment then these items can attract mould that releases an unpleasant odour - so make sure to keep them as dry as possible.
How to remove stale odours from carpets and rugs:
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Vacuum – start off by vacuuming the carpet to remove any surface dirt and dust. Be sure to move your vacuum in different directions so it can pick up everything.
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Use baking soda – baking soda is great for absorbing bad odours and it doesn’t have the strong scent of chemical deodorizer or fresheners. Just simply sprinkle it onto the carpet or rug, leave it on for 30 minutes then vacuum it off!
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Use a steam cleaner – for carpets that are heavily soiled or smelly then you should use a steam cleaner which will help kill any bacteria present in the carpet fibres as well as eliminate odour-causing agents like mould spores.
Invest in an Air Purifier for Lasting Freshness
Do you want to get rid of unpleasant odours fast and permanently? Investing in an air purifier is one of the best ways to do just that. Air purifiers help filter out the impurities in the air and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.
Air purifiers remove dust, smoke, pet dander, pollen, bacteria and other potential indoor air irritants. Airborne germs can also be killed using air purifiers that are equipped with ultraviolet lamps.
Here are some benefits of using an air purifier:
- Removes common household odours like cigarette smoke, pet odour, carpets smells and other stinky smells for up to 24 hours.
- Reduces allergens, such as dust mites, mould spores and pet dander.
- Improves indoor air quality by removing contaminants from the air.
- Helps reduce asthma symptoms caused by indoor allergens like dust mites or pet dander.
Make sure you invest in a quality air purifier that has filters designed to remove bad smells and pollutants from your home's atmosphere so you can breathe easily and enjoy lasting freshness in your house again!
Conclusion
So what's the takeaway? Your home's odours must be addressed quickly and effectively to keep your space smelling fresh and pleasant. Don't just mask a bad smell; trace its source and treat it with natural remedies like SHIORA Home Fragrance's essential oil blends. When used properly, natural home remedies like these can help you get rid of foul odours and replace them with the pleasant aroma of citrus and other natural essential oils. Don't let the bad smells persist; use SHIORA Home Fragrance for a fresh start.
Read more How to Get Rid of House Odors Quickly!
