Let’s admit it. We usually base our judgment about the quality of air on its smell. However, this may not be true in most cases. Actually, many products are coming out in the market nowadays that promise to make your home smell fresh all day! These are scented candles, air fresheners, etc.
Though these products can eliminate undesirable smells inside your home, they may not get rid of the cause. So, rather than covering up these odors with fragrant sprays that may contain hazardous chemicals, it’s more important to know why your home smells bad in the first place. Once you know where it’s coming from, you can take some actions to eradicate the source.
Common Causes of Household Odors
- Leftover food
- Dirty and wet laundry
- Dirty carpet
- Stagnant air
- Dust
- Pet urine/waste
- Garbage disposal
- Stale sheets
- Mold
Tips on Making Your Home Smell Fresh
1. Identify the Source of the Odor
It may be tempting to conceal the nasty odor with an air freshener, but keep in mind that this is just a short-term solution. It might not be reliable for very long and can also affect your family’s health. Did you know that some air fresheners may release damaging volatile organic compounds (VOC) into your home’s air? According to experts, VCOs cause shortness of breath, headaches, eye, nose, and throat inflammation, dizziness, and skin issues.
That’s why it’s advisable to inspect every room in your home for molds, water leaks, mildew, moisture, or condensation regularly. Clean visible sources of mold or mildew immediately. If it’s possible, fix any water leakages right away since this is where moisture is gathering.
2. Clean All Rooms and Floors
Clean dust in every room in your house from top to bottom, including shelves, tables, ceiling fans, blinds, lighting fixtures, doors, windows, carpets, and electronics. Dust usually originates from the outdoors but also happens naturally indoors. Aside from causing a bad smell in your house, it also triggers allergies.
When it comes to your floors, you can use a damp cloth rather than sweeping or using a dry mop as these may stir dust back up into the air. When cleaning tiles and grout, warm water and dish soap can do the trick. But for tough dirt and stains, you may need the help of experts. For an expert Billings tile and grout cleaning, check out EcoClean. They offer a vast range of cleaning services at an affordable rate.
3. Clean All Upholstery
Your upholstery, particularly the sofa, can quickly trap spills, fur, dust, oil, and cooking smells. Check the label of your couch for proper care. Usually, they inform you what cleaning liquids are safe, in addition to techniques. Dry brush and vacuum are among the safest and excellent tools to eliminate dust, dry particles, and crumbs. Homemade solutions such as baking soda and some vinegar solutions can also help in stinky couch problems.
If you frequently use your couch or have kids and pets, chances are it gets dirty quickly. In this case, deep cleaning and odor removal services may be required.
4. Wash Your Laundry and Sheets
Normally, people wash their sheets once a week. If you use your mattress often or have pets and let them sleep in your bed, you may need to clean your sheets more than once a week. Sheets can accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, sweat, dust, mites and their fecal matters and carcasses, and body oils that trigger a bad smell.
On the other hand, avoid mixing sweaty clothes and wet towels with your dry laundry since this can muster a foul smell. Or better yet, wash them immediately. If you can’t, air dry before throwing them into the laundry basket. In addition, hang them in a well-lit room or dry outdoors to ensure the freshest smell because fungus can quickly grow on moist and damp clothing.
5. Open Your Windows
A closed house can trap contaminants and smells that remain in the air for a long time. Open your windows to allow outside air into your home. You can check with your local air quality news before opening your windows if you have pollen allergies.
Key Takeaways
The tips discussed above are among the countless things you can do to get rid of nasty smells inside your home. Cleaning your home yourself and making use of homemade cleaning solutions is one way to save money. However, if the problem is severe, like damage caused by a dangerous chemical or bleach spill, you need professional help.
For EcoClean professional services, visit their website to know what they can do to clean your house thoroughly and eliminate odors!