How to get rid of unpleasant odors in the house

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

To get rid of an unpleasant odor in your home, you first need to find the source of the problem. This is the only way you can find a suitable way to bring the scent of freshness back into your home.

The smell of fried fish and rotten eggs

If, upon entering the apartment, it seems that fish was recently fried there and it is slightly burnt, this is a reason to check the wiring. When heated, wires and other plastic parts give off a fried fish smell.

Examine all outlets, switches, and light bulbs. Melted or slightly blackened areas are a reason to replace electrical equipment. If the outlet is changed and the fried fish smell remains, call an electrician. Remember, wiring problems can cause a fire.

An even more dangerous "symptom" is the smell of rotten eggs. It can signal a gas leak. If, upon entering the room, you feel hydrogen sulfide amber, leave it immediately. Do not turn on the lights or strike matches. Contact your gas service as soon as possible.

Sewer smell

First, the smell of a latrine appears where there are pipes and sinks - in the bathroom and in the kitchen. Then, due to the ventilation system, it spreads throughout the house and it becomes unbearable to be there.

The main reasons for this smell are errors in the installation of the sewage system, leaks and blockages, as well as improper functioning of the water seal.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to solve these problems on our own, but it is possible to prevent them. Install strainers on sink drains - they will trap hair and other debris. Clean the pipes with special chemicals once a month.

The smell of decomposition

This is an extremely annoying problem that usually occurs in private homes. Rodents and other small animals often fall into traps and die in attics, basements, and wall cavities. After a while, a stench begins to spread through the house.

The hardest part is finding the source of the problem.

If the place is easily accessible, remove the carcass of the animal and treat the surface with a special aerosol agent. For example, Bac-A-Zap Odor Eliminator Spray kills signs of decomposition, harmful bacteria and foul odor. In difficult cases, it is better to trust the pest control service.

The smell of dampness and rot

If the air in the house is musty, it smells of old age and dampness, as if in a non-residential area, perhaps the cause is mold. It is insidious - it hides behind furniture, under the wall cladding, under the baseboards.

Mold is a living organism; appropriate conditions are needed for its reproduction. Most often, it appears in rooms with high humidity, where heat and poor air circulation. An unpleasant odor is released during the growth and reproduction of the fungus.

Household mold that is less than one square meter is generally safe. But there are also toxic species that can cause allergic reactions and provoke the development of serious diseases. If you smell an unpleasant odor and feel unwell, contact a professional disinfection service. They will identify the type of fungus and help eliminate it.

In other cases, you can get rid of mold on your own. Here are some ways to treat the affected area.

• Dilute 1 to 10 chlorine bleach with water. Apply solution to areas of mold. Remember to wear gloves.
• Dissolve a tablespoon of white vinegar in a liter of water. Use a spray bottle to spray the solution onto the mold. Wait a little and then wash off with soapy water.
• Baking soda is also great at fighting fungus. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Moisten a sponge with this and treat the affected surface. It is not necessary to wash off the remnants - soda protects against the reappearance of mold.

But it is better not to remove the mold, but to prevent its appearance. Check if the ventilation in the house is working. Take good care of hygiene in areas where mold may form. Dirt and grease on the walls is a breeding ground for her. Ventilate dark areas with high humidity as often as possible.

Cigarette odors and other household odors

Cigarettes, pets, food - all of this exudes odors (not always pleasant) that soak walls, carpets and furniture year after year.

A light cosmetic repair every few years pleases not only the eye, but also the nose. But if you rent an apartment, you won't be able to paint the walls and re-glue the wallpaper without the consent of the owners.

One of the most corrosive odors is nicotine. If people smoke in the house, the smell of cigarettes permeates literally everything: upholstery, curtains, carpets, wallpaper. We have already written in detail here how to get rid of it.

Pet urine or burning odors can be eradicated by damp cleaning carpets and walls (painted or covered with washable wallpaper) with a solution of white vinegar and water. It will not only eliminate odors, but also remove stains. You can also dilute half a glass of ammonia in five liters of water and apply the solution to the walls and floor, leave for a few minutes, then rinse. Soda works better with carpets. Spread it over the pile, leave it overnight, and in the morning clean the carpet with a washing vacuum cleaner.

How to bring a pleasant scent back to your home

Pleasant smells start with cleanliness. But an even more pleasant atmosphere can be created with the help of automatic air fresheners, aroma lamps and candles, as well as various diffusers.

Wooden sticks absorb the aroma of the essential oil and spread it around the room. You can also make natural home fragrances with your own hands. Here are five ideas on how to keep the smell in the jar.

A few more life hacks:

1. Soak a cotton pad with essential oil (lavender, lemongrass - whichever you choose). When you start vacuuming, suck the disc inside. During the cleaning process, the room will be filled with a pleasant aroma.
2. If the microwave is saturated with the smell of food, such as popcorn or cheese, you can freshen it up by boiling a bowl of water and a couple of drops of lemon or orange aromatic oil at maximum power.
3. To keep your wardrobe smelling good, put baking soda in a small rag bag and a couple of drops of lavender oil. Tie it well and place it between the laundry. This bag can also be hung over curtains.

Do you know other effective ways to combat unpleasant odors in your home? Share them in the comments.