4 Common Culprits of Bad Odor Around the House

Smell is one of the strongest senses and way more powerful than you think. This, of course, is bad news when you have a lingering odor around the house – one that you can’t seem to shake off no matter what.

So, what should you do? To start, this post can help you sniff out the culprit. Below are the 4 common culprits of bad odor around the house.

• Dishwasher

For any frequent users of dishwashers, know that the moisture inside is the perfect breeding ground for odors. With time, your dishwasher will inevitably be home to smelly mold, mildew, and rotting food bits. This, of course, leaves a strong unpleasant smell in your kitchen.

Periodically (at least once a month), wipe down the inside of your dishwasher and remove food bits. Then, run an extra cycle on “extra rinse”  with a cup of vinegar to get rid of the smell once and for.

• Carpet

Your carpet is another odor hotspot because everyday gunk will accumulate on it over time. If you’ve spilled anything on your carpet, then there’s the possibility of mold and mildew. Have pets or young children? Pee accidents can leave a foul odor on your carpet for what seems like forever.

So, what do you do? Besides getting your carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year, here’s a little life hack you can try. Sprinkle baking soda or coffee grounds (both of which absorb odors) on the carpet, let it sit overnight, and then vacuum everything up.

• Sewage

The smell of sewage can often permeate from our drains, and leaves your home smelling like a year-old rotten egg. If you have an unused bathroom somewhere around your house, this is the first area to check.

Drains have a U-shaped pipe near the bottom that holds water, and this pipe acts as a barrier between the sewer pipes and the sink. The water has evaporated in your unused bathroom, leaving your drains defenseless against sewer smells. To get rid of the smell, run water into the drain at least once a week.

• Trash

While this might seem obvious, it’s important to include this. In just a week, trash and leftovers can radiate smells throughout the kitchen and into the rest of your home. Trash is likely the most common culprit of bad smells, and you don’t have to put up with it. Besides taking out the trash at least once a week, consider using baking soda or a bleach solution.

Sprinkling baking soda at the bottom of the trash can absorb odors. If you need something more heavy-duty, you can use a bleach solution on the trashcan itself to kill germs and fend off the odors.