7 Major Reasons Your House Smells.
7 Major Reasons
7 Most Common Causes of Bad Smells in your Home.
Do you ever wish your home was immersed in the refreshing, mood-boosting scent of the ocean breeze? Do you end up looking for tricks and techniques to make your house smell heavenly?
From dog litter to dirty bathrooms and dishes to unclean clothes that need to be changed, and everything that comes in between, we are likely to classify these scents as either bearable or unbearable. Both kinds of scents need to be taken care of, but there are some highly unpleasant ones that people need to get rid of as soon as possible.
Whether it’s a foul-smelling front-loading washing machine, a pet, a smelly dishwasher, kids, stinky drains, unwanted mold, or mysterious shower drain smells, numerous side-effects of everyday living can make your home stink. Moreover, there could be a few other smells in your house that you might not even be aware of unless you start the process of cleaning. If you can’t spot where that stinky smell is coming from, check these possible reasons — you might find the issue where you least expect it.
That being said, let’s take a look at the seven most common smells that should never be ignored
1. Musty Smell.
When you come across the term “musty,” images of mothballs and damp stores might start to appear before you. However, if your kitchen, bathroom, attic, or basement has a musty smell, it could simply be mould.
Look into areas with possible water leakage, especially around the sink, bathroom, and dishwasher. You’ll find the mould nearby or scattered in the walls and flooring, based on how big the leakage is.
In case you cannot see the mould but can smell it, it could be growing behind your wallpaper or in walls near water pipes. Moreover, bacteria could also exist inside air ducts and tiles. The most common place a mould would grow is near a water leakage, including a poorly ventilated bathroom or under a sink with a leaky pipe. If you fail to fix the problem by yourself, it’s best to call a plumber. Besides, repairing it yourself could release spores.
2. Smelly Dishwasher
There’s a possibility of food particles getting trapped in the dishwasher’s filter. Twice a week, take the filter out and clean it with a soft brush under cold tap water. Wipe the remaining particles inside the dishwasher with a soft cloth or sponge. You can use the cleaner to get the smelly
dishwasher clean. Besides, you can fill a bowl with vinegar and keep it at the bottom of the dishwasher and wash the bowl.
3. Stinky Pets.
Pets are loving members of the family, but similar to humans, they can get dirty and smelly. Handling their pee and poop is a part of living with pets. However, there are other reasons that pet owners need to be careful during clean-up. According to a recent study, dog pee is neither free of germs nor sterile; it has several kinds of bacteria. Besides, pets’ poop can carry roundworms and hookworms that can even transmit to humans. To keep this from happening, make sure to clean up after your pets, scoop poop out of both dog and cat litter every day, and wash your hands after.
4. The Smell of New Furniture.
Many of you might find the smell of new furniture amusing, similar to the smell of a new car. However, that smell is possibly caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The majority of people are not aware that indoor levels of toxins are more harmful than those found outside, and furniture is one of the major reasons.
If you inhale the smell caused by VOCs, you are likely to experience headaches, irritation of the eye, nose, and throat, renal failure, and liver damage. The best way to get rid of that smell is to get a purifier with a carbon filter.
5. Smelly Drains.
Odor-causing bacteria can dwell in your kitchen sink and drain, ultimately giving off a stench. Moreover, these bacteria can multiply from garbage disposal scraps. Doing the following might help curb the bacterial growth: Put a few ice cubes, one teaspoon of bleach, a few lemon slices, and a tablespoon of baking soda into the garbage disposal.
Add a few more ice cubes, and when the grinding stops, run the super cold water for some time. The ice helps loosen the food particles, the lemon slices dampen the odor, and the bleach kills the bacteria.
Moreover, severe ghastly smells could be caused by a dried-out P-trap in the drainage pipes. It is a section of the drainage pipe that is usually filled with water, blocking the entry of sewer gas into your house. Inhaling this gas can irritate your eyes and throat, cause dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, migraines, and can even result in fatigue. Pouring water into it may fix the issue. However, you may need to call a plumber in case it doesn’t go away.
6. Smelly and Damp Refrigerator.
There exists a type of bacteria that makes food taste bad and smell damp. These spoilage bacteria can grow in cold temperatures. Clean up the spilled food and drinks as soon as possible with hot, soapy water to keep your refrigerator clean and fresh.
Do not clean your food products as they may make your food taste like chemicals. Scrub your fridge once a week and get rid of everything that’s expired. Bleach and baking soda can help kill the bacteria and keep the smell away.
7. Tobacco Smell.
Tobacco smell is injurious to health, as we are all aware. If the smell stays after you air out your home, keep bowls filled with vinegar or activated charcoal around your house to absorb the tobacco smell.
You need to replace the vinegar or activated charcoal once every few days. However, note that scented, odour-removal products do not filter the smell but only mask it.
Conclusion.
Smells from bathrooms, garbage disposals, and pets can be very annoying. Some are even dangerous to humans. For instance, drainage smells contain harmful chemicals that can cause nausea, headaches, and other illnesses.
Luckily, you don’t have to live with these frustrating and occasionally harmful smells. The best way to get rid of unwanted smells is to identify the source and clean it accordingly. By removing these smells, you’ll live in a safer and more pleasant-smelling home.
Well, there you have it, our comprehensive guide to indoor smell busting! And if the smell lingers even after following these tips, Pongone will guarantee the smell stays away. For professional indoor deodorization services, contact us. Our professionals stand ready to come to your house’s rescue at all times!