Nothing gives you more comfort than the familiar scent of your home. From the fresh smell of clothes pulled out from the drier to the nostalgic fragrance of brewed coffee in the morning, every home is but a collection of scents and memories. But while there are pleasant home odors, there are also awful ones. If your house smells more like the latter, it’s time to uncover the hidden secrets that affect the scent of your residential space.
- Clogged Kitchen Sink
If there’s a lingering scent of rotten foods or a distinct sulfuric odor in your kitchen area, there’s a high chance that the smell is coming from your sink. Generally, there are two possible reasons for a stinky sink. The first one is due to a build-up of rotting food, hair, or soap stuck in the drain. The second is due to a dry p-trap.
In case of food or other debris buildups, you can easily solve the problem by pouring boiled water into the drain numerous times until the clog clears. Another possible solution is by using vinegar and baking soda. Mix a cup of baking soda with the same amount of vinegar. Pour the mixture into the drain, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and drain it using hot water. You’ll need to repeat this process until the clog clears.
If the foul odor remains, that’s the time you need to check the p-trap underneath your sink. This refers to the curled pipe that connects your sink to the wall. Normally, a p-trap must contain water to block the gas and odor coming from the sewer line. You can call for a professional plumber to solve this problem.
- Dirty Carpets and Mattresses
Stressing over a distinct musty smell enveloping your room? The problem can be traced to your carpets or mattresses. While these household items appear harmless, they are the perfect magnet for pet hair, dead skin, and body oils. All these attract bacteria and create an awful, musty scent when left untreated.
You can clean your carpets and mattresses by washing and vacuuming them. You can also use natural home remedies, such as cornstarch and baking soda, to remove the funky smell. Sprinkle the cornstarch and baking over the entire carpet or mattress. Let the powders sit overnight, and then vacuum them up.
- Leaky air conditioner
Other than sinks and beddings, your air conditioning unit is another possible reason why your indoor stinks. Distinct moldy odors are often linked to mildew or fungus buildup within the cooling device. This happens when there is excess humidity in the HVAC system due to water leaks.
A foul or rotten smell could also indicate there are dead pests stuck inside the unit. A burning smell, on the other hand, could point to possible wiring problems. To know the real cause of the bad scent, you can call for a company specializing in air conditioner repair and replacement.
- Dirty Fridge
Your fridge is another possible breeding ground for bacteria that cause a funky smell around your home. From spoiled foods to untreated filters, many factors create a smelly fridge. While a deep-clean often solves the problem, there are cases where you’ll need to do more than wiping the food spills and taking out the rotten fruits and meats.
You can leave a bowl of baking soda inside the fridge and let it sit there until the odor clears. Another alternative is to place slices of lemon inside until the fruits absorb the bad scent. If the smell persists, you might want to call for a fridge repair contractor. In some cases, the funky odor can be attributed to a buildup inside the fridge’s drainage system.
- Towels, sponges, and mop heads not left to dry properly
Your cleaning items are the ideal sites for bacteria to grow. Towels, sponges, and mop heads are a cause of concern, especially if they are put away wet and are not left to dry properly. Since bacteria are attracted to moisture, these damp cleaning materials invite them inside your home.
You can avoid the musty smell caused by damp towels and other cleaning materials by washing the said items with a mix of regular detergent and vinegar. Instead of simply tossing them to the corners, it’s also best to hang the towels, sponges, and mop heads outside to let them dry properly.
While it’s easy to notice a foul smell at home, it’s tricky to pinpoint where the odor is coming from. Be sure to pay close attention to these common areas and items that affect the overall scent of your residential space.
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