How to Get Rid of a Smell That Won’t Go Away

Alex Curran
By Alex Curran
5 Min Read

If you live in a small space, you probably know the smell of your home better than anyone else. Sometimes the aromas are pleasant. Other times they are less so. Sometimes, bad smells stick around for an extended period, making it harder to enjoy your home. 

A reeking smell happens due to several reasons. For example, they often result from:

  • Humidity
  • Plumbing issues
  • Pets
  • Pests 

There are many ways to get rid of smells. For example, humidity can cause a towel to smell. Washing your towels more often can prevent this smell from forming. Regarding pets, make sure your pet gets bathed regularly, and you clean up after them. 

Many stinking smells have solutions, but at times, that doesn’t mean they won’t continue to linger. If you’re unsure how to eliminate certain odors, read on to improve the smell of your home. 

1. Try Scented Candles

Candles are a traditional way to freshen up a room. Many scents can help neutralize odors. Plus, the warm glow makes rooms look more inviting. 

Candles are a good option if you need to cover up a lingering smell. You may use medicinal marijuana and aren’t fond of the smell. Scented candles can also cover up the unpleasant cannabis smell. 

If you have pets, scented candles may not be a good idea. If you don’t clean up after your pets, extra dust and allergens can build up in your home. When allergens continue to increase, allergies worsen, and so do the smells! 

2. Use an Air Purifier

An air purifier can help neutralize smells and improve indoor air quality. For example, if the odor is due to pet dander or dust, an air purifier can help alleviate the issue. Furthermore, if someone is sick, an air purifier can reduce the number of germs in the air. 

Air purifiers come in various types and price points. So, there’s something for every budget. Make sure you look for HEPA filters on the purifiers. HEPA filters ensure that a purifier cleans the air inside your home. 

There are also ionic purifiers out there. Yet, there are very few studies to show that they work.

3. Ventilate and Dehumidify

If you notice that the smell only happens in one part of your home, it could be because that room is too humid. Humidity can encourage the growth of mildew and mold. It can also lead to wood rot in your furniture. Mold especially forms close to a water source, such as a leaky roof or sump pump. 

To fix humidity problems and reduce illness, increase ventilation. You may also want to think about adding a dehumidifier to certain rooms. If you notice a high humidity problem, it can signify other issues in your home. For example, you may have a leaky roof or a problem with your HVAC system.

So, keep this all in mind if you have a feeling that certain smells are developing due to humidity. 

4. Tackle Smells With Bleach

If the smell comes from your laundry or bathroom, you can probably tackle it with good old-fashioned bleach. First, mix a small amount of bleach with water and pour it into a spray bottle. Then, use it to clean spots where the smell comes from. For example, unpleasant odors may be coming from your laundry and bathroom. 

Remember that you must be careful that bleach doesn’t build up in your pipes. If it does, it can mix with water and create sulfuric acid. When there’s sulfuric acid, it results in a very smelly situation. 

If you notice the smell in your bathroom, you could have a buildup of hair or grime in your drain. You can deodorize it with a bit of baking soda and a plunger.


Conclusion

There are many different ways to eliminate a smell. For example, if the odor comes from your home’s plumbing, you may need to address the issue at the source. 

If you notice that the smell is coming from one particular room, it’s worth checking to see if there’s a humidity problem in that room. 

As for pests, ensure you’re using certain techniques to deter them away from your home. 

If you follow these tips, you can get rid of gross smells that won’t go away. And, hopefully, they won’t return! 

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