The smell in the house is annoying and embarrassing if you have guests. Sometimes, it's even difficult to pinpoint what's causing the smell. It is important to track down the source of the odor and take steps to eliminate it. However, for a short term solution you can use fragrance products to disguise the smell. This article looks at how to find the source of the odor, eliminate certain common odor sources, and how to make your home smell good.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Remove Existing Odors
Step 1. Determine the source of the odor
In some cases the source of the odor may be obvious, but if you're not sure, check the entire house to see if you can find where the smell is coming from. There are some common sources of bad odors in the home and solutions to overcome them.
- Some problem areas include the toilet, cupboard, refrigerator, bathroom, sink, laundry room, or basement.
- Check the pet area. Accidents inside the home can cause terrible odors.
- Plumbing can also be a source of odor. If you smell like rotten eggs, it may be due to a drained or clogged U-pipe.
- Cigarettes can also cause odors to build up in the house.
- Also check the trash can. Sometimes kitchen or bathroom waste can start to smell after a few days.
- Often you just need to get rid of bad smells to make your home smell good fast.
Step 2. Get rid of pet odors on the carpet
There are several strategies to help you do that quickly.
- A quick solution to this problem is to clean the carpet with baking soda. The baking soda will absorb unpleasant odors. Sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming it clean.
- Wet droppings will require a different approach.
- Absorb urine or other wet dirt with newsprint. If the newspaper gets soaked, get a new one. Do this step until the newspaper can absorb only a small amount of liquid.
- Rinse the problem area with clean water.
- Absorb excess water with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner.
- Try a commercial carpet cleaning product, pet stain remover, or pet odor neutralizer to remove odors from the area.
Step 3. Investigate signs of plumbing problems
A rotten egg odor may indicate a dry drain U pipe.
- To test it, pour a teaspoon of peppermint oil down the drain. Not only will this help you find the source of your plumbing problem, but it will also help disguise unpleasant odors emanating from the drain. Peppermint oil has a very pungent aroma.
- Run hot water.
- If you can smell peppermint in other parts of the house, the problem is most likely a sewer trap.
- Pour plenty of water down the drain to get rid of the odor. While this is not a permanent solution to the problem, it does help to get rid of the odor quickly for a short period of time.
Step 4. Get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke
The smell of cigarettes is one of the most easily recognized odors in the home.
- Place bowls of white vinegar or ammonia around the house to get rid of the smell of cigarettes.
- Vinegar is an excellent odor neutralizer. Once you feel the smell has gone you can discard the vinegar.
- Wipe hard surfaces with a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water to remove the smell of cigarette smoke.
- Clean the mattress and chair upholstery with a vacuum cleaner. Then let it aerated, if possible outside the house.
Method 2 of 2: Creating a More Pleasant Smell
Step 1. Use scented products
Candles, oil, or air freshener can quickly spread a pleasant scent throughout your home.
- Light a scented candle or use a scented burning oil if you have one.
- Use an electric air freshener or one that works on its own.
- You can also spray air freshener all over the house, but the smell doesn't last long.
Step 2. Try burning incense
Even though it smells strong, it doesn't smell bad. Incense is produced with hundreds of different scents.
- To light incense, you need to burn the coated end of the incense stick, holding the uncoated part.
- Wait for the fire to penetrate the incense stick, then blow the fire out.
- The tip of the incense stick will glow red and produce a pungent smoke.
Step 3. Place a reed diffuser in the rooms where you want to smell more pleasant
This aroma diffuser is in the form of a container filled with scented oil.
- Fragrance reeds use bamboo reeds to absorb scented oils. The reed then spreads a fragrant aroma into the air.
- The aroma produced is sharp, but the smell is pleasant.
- You can buy scented reeds at any home decor store, and these scented reeds come in a wide variety of scents.
Step 4. Use scented bags around the house
This package contains dried herbs or fragrant rice.
- Scented pockets would be a fun addition to a wardrobe drawer. These pockets will give your clothes a pleasant scent.
- Try placing bags of dried lavender or cinnamon sticks around your house for a more natural scent.
- An easy DIY method is to stuff dried flower petals or potpourri into small cloth sacks and place them in various places around the house.
- You can also make bouquets of rosemary and hang them all over the house.
Step 5. Bake the cake
To quickly make a pleasant aroma you can use ready-made dough.
- Choose the type of cake that you think smells good.
- This could be the best solution for the dry season when the weather is dry and warm.
- Be careful not to burn your cake, or this will cause even more unpleasant odors!
Step 6. Boil the herbs and spices on the stove over low heat
Boiling water will fill the air with the aroma of spices.
- Fill a pot with water (half only) and bring to a boil. Add pleasantly scented herbs and spices like cinnamon and cloves. Reduce the heat and let the water boil.
- Make a pot of homemade chai tea.
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil and add 20 cardamom pieces, 15 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 1 tablespoon fresh ginger.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, then add 3 tea bags.
- Brew the tea and spices, then strain the water. Add milk and sugar if necessary.
Tips
- These tips can remove or mask odors quickly, but additional steps may be needed to permanently remove odors from your home.
- Don't overdo it when it comes to creating a pleasant scent. Try to apply one or two methods at a time.
Warning
- Be careful when using scented candles and burning oil. Do not leave unattended, especially around pets and children.
- A stubborn odor that won't go away may indicate a more serious problem. If the odor persists, you should have your home inspected to rule out any dangerous mold or rot problems.
- Check the label on the package to make sure the cleaning product is safe for pets and children if you have one.
