Our sense of smell is one of the most interesting things about being human. A smell can bring up pleasant memories of events, persons, or even food.
However, our sense of smell also draws our attention to the bad and unappealing such as dirty clothes piled up in laundry baskets, spoiled food, or a dead mouse.
Air fresheners, sprays, and scented candles can help mask these unpleasant smells but they’re not a lasting solution. To eliminate these bad odors in your home, you need to identify the source first, then take effective steps to remove the smell.
Here are some common areas in the home that breed bad odor and surefire ways to eliminate those unpleasant smells.
The living room
Bad odors do not just make you uncomfortable in your home, they also prevent you from having guests over. If you notice any unpleasant smells in your living room, then it’s time to find a solution.
If you have hardwood floors, check for molding but if you have carpets installed, then you need to look out for spills and stains.
Carpets are known to absorb smells very easily so to remove the odor, use some baking soda on the affected areas, let it sit for a while, then vacuum. If your dog’s bed is in the living room, then it may be the source of the odor.
Follow the same procedure and if all else fails, you can simply give it a good wash.
The kitchen
Kitchen appliances tend to accumulate dirt if left uncleaned and after a while, they start to give off bad smells. Go through your refrigerator for food that may have gone bad and be sure to store pungent foods securely.
A good way to eliminate bad smells in the kitchen is by cleaning out your fridge, microwave, dishwasher, and other appliances regularly. Don’t forget about the trashcan.
Although it’s usually kept outside the home, it’s easy for the smells from within it to get into the home. Sometimes, the trash itself may not even be the source of the odor.
Make a habit of cleaning and disinfecting your trashcan when it’s emptied, to eliminate any bad odor.
The bathroom
You don’t have to wait for your bathroom to get visibly dirty before you decide to get the cleaners out. This rule also applies to your toilets. Rather than wait for the bad odors, be proactive, and do all you can to have your bathroom smelling fresh and clean all day long.
Avoid leaving dirty towels in the bathroom, empty the laundry basket as soon as it’s full, and give the mirror a good wipe down after your bath. Also, invest in a good air freshener to spray after you use the bathroom.
Simple household remedies are often sufficient to clear out any bad smells from the home.
However, if the source of the unpleasant odor is mold, these simple remedies may prove inadequate and you’ll need to call in a professional.
