Do you ever wish your ownliving space could smell goodlike that?
You might find the culprit where you least expect it.
Trash Can
This one seems obviousgarbage stinks, after all.
Photo: Getty Images
For a fast fix, use Febreze AIR, which actually eliminates rather than covers up unpleasant odors.
It provides a burst of freshness to dump the air in your kitchen quickly.
Rinse it with plenty of water, and then use soap to wash it out.
While the cold environment of a refrigerator certainly slows down bacterial growth, it doesn’t stop it completely.
This leads to lingering smells over time.
Checkexpiration dates, and toss anything that’s old.
ensure that any leftovers that are still good are well-wrapped or tightly sealed.
And give the doors and trays a good wipe to clean up any spills.
“When their hair falls out, bacteria growand it could get nasty really quick,” says Navas.
Wet Clothing
Don’t put the dirty clothes basket in your bathroom, Navas says.
Even if you’ve gone over surfaces with a goodshower cleanerthe smell of dirty laundry will persist.
If you have wet, dirty clothes, do laundry ASAP.
Shoe Rack
Feet can start to smell, which means that shoes can start to smell.
And when you have a rack full of them, well, the whole thing canreallystart to smell.
Shoes accumulate sweat and dirt, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria.
Without proper ventilation, any trapped moisture and bacteria can create strong and unpleasant odors.
Be sure to air out shoes if they’re wet from sweat or even rain.
Wash them or wipe them down toclean themand remove dirt and debris.
And keep them in an area of the home that gets air circulation.
Mattress
Mattresses can develop odors from moisture or dust mites.
Liquids can also seep into the mattress and penetrate the padding, creating a musty smell.
The detergent drawer can also trap moisture and mold.
Using awashing machine cleanerregularly can also help extend the life of your washer.
VOCs can have a strong smell, but they can also be harmful to your health.
“You may want to get your money back,” Wolbers says.
Dishwasher
Just like your washer, this is a popular spot for potential moldand smells.
Rinse thoroughly before replacing.
Alternatively, you’re able to use a good commercialmold remover.
Water plus old food can create a feast for bacteria.
Garbage Disposal
This is another common kitchen odor culprit.
Otherwise, the shower drain can trap grime that starts to stink over time.
If this spreads through the pipes, you’ll have an even smellier problem on your hand.
That’s why regularlycleaning your shower drainis key.
“Pay extra attention to anything that has water or moisture,” saysJamie Hord, founder of Horderly.
“Areas like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are usually the main culprit areas.”
Toilet
Toilets are obvious smelly spots in the house.
And not just from the business done in them.
Regularly scrubbing the toilet with store-bought disinfectants and home remedies is important.
(And they may not be noticeable on dark upholstery or a highly patterned rug.)
Give yourcoffee makera regular clean to help keep it (and your daily brew) fresh.
This is an easy one to fix.
(Melting wiring can create that smell!)
you’re able to also contact an animal removal company to do the removal and cleaning for you.
EPA.Indoor air pollution: an introduction for health professionals.Date Accessed April 24, 2022.
“Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality.”
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Ham B.Study: indoor air cleaners fall short on removing volatile organic compounds.MIT News.
October 29, 2021.
