How To Remove Bad Smells In Your Home

Homes can often be a haven for all sorts of smells – good and bad. And while most of us enjoy living in a pleasant smelling home, there are occasions when an unpleasant odour can creep into our space and worst of all linger no matter how much we try to clean.

So what do you do when you have a bad smell that simply won’t go away? Below are some common causes for offensive smells in people’s homes as well as some handy tips for odour removal once you’ve identified the cause.

Mould & Condensation

Mould can exist in places we aren’t even aware of. Look for mould and excess condensation in dark and damp places with poor ventilation such as your air conditioning vents, carpets, behind furniture, curtains and anywhere water leaks can occur like bathrooms and kitchens.

Clean small areas of mould with soap and water,  vinegar or diluted bleach. Mould can be toxic to the health of the people living in the home so it’s best to get in touch with a professional cleaning company when dealing with large areas of mould.

Cigarettes

Nicotine and smoke odours from cigarettes can linger in a home for long periods of time – especially in a heavy smoker’s home. The first step to removing cigarette odour is by ventilating the home. Open your windows and switch on your fans to get the air going. Wash down your walls and windows and give your curtains and upholstery a good wash.

If the smell doesn’t dissipate, you may have to consider calling a professional cleaner to assist. If all else fails, ripping up the carpets and repainting your walls may be your only option to getting rid of the smell.

Smelly Fridge  

OId food and milk left in a fridge for a few days can lead to mould and bacteria growth causing a foul smell in your fridge. The good news is that this problem is often quite easy to fix.

Start by throwing away spoilt food and drinks before wiping down all fridge surfaces with a cleaning sponge or microfibre cloth soaked in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Soak any removable shelves and drawers in hot water and dish detergent to further eliminate any foul smells.

In extreme cases where food such as meat or milk has been left for a long time to decompose, overpowering fumes are released. These toxic fumes can cause severe nausea and vomiting so special care must be taken when trying to clean up this type of food waste.

While most homeowners wouldn’t normally hesitate to clean up a small amount of rotting food in a fridge, when it comes to cleaning up large amounts of food that has been left to spoil for weeks, seeking advice from a professional cleaning company before attempting to clean it yourself should be the first step to cleaning odour removal.

Pet Urine  

Removing pet urine smells from carpets and flooring is no simple task. First, dry the surface with towels or paper towels to absorb any remaining fluid. For carpets add a 50:50 vinegar and water solution to the flooring. To clean hardwood floors, add Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) to the surface. Scrub and leave to dry. If cleaning a carpet, deodorise it by sprinkling it with baking soda and leave overnight. Rinse with clean water and then vacuum once dry.

Sewage

Foul smells coming from your bathroom could mean a blocked pipe or a sewage leak. Another cause for foul bathroom odours is a dry p-trap resulting from toilets being used infrequently. In these cases, the best thing to do is to call your local plumber to investigate and make needed repairs. In the event of a visible sewage spill, contact a professional biohazard cleaner to safely clean and remediate the contaminated space.

Dirty Laundry  

Dirty laundry can often give off nasty odours when bacteria breaks down oil and sweat left on fabric. The key to successful fabric odour removal is prevention: wash heavily soiled sheets and clothing immediately, rather than allowing bacteria to cause these unpleasant smells.

Stale Air  

A room or house that’s been closed up for a long time can have an unusual musty smell about it. The first step to eliminating strong odours caused by stale air is to open up as many doors and windows as possible and let the air circulate. Turn on all the fans in the home as well as the ventilation fans in the bathroom areas.

Wipe down walls and vacuum carpets and dusty areas. If possible, run air purifiers to help remove dust and air particles.

If the smell doesn’t dissipate following the above, you may have to consider hiring a specialist cleaner to help find the source of the smell and possibly remove mould or mildew from your walls which could ultimately be causing the smell.

Decomposing Animal  

When animals die trapped in walls or ceilings their bodies give off a sickly smell that can be difficult to ignore. Removing the animal carcass is often only the first step in eliminating the smell. The area will also need a thorough clean along with the use of odour neutralising enzyme cleaning products.

Can’t Get Rid Of A Bad Smell In Your Home?

Speak to the professionals at National Trauma. We’re available to assist with your odour removal needs – no matter the cause.

With over 30 years of professional experience, training and certifications along with highly specialised equipment, we can effectively remove decomposing biohazards and dispose of it safely, leaving your living space both clean and sanitised.

We’ve had a lot of success when it comes to odour removal from the following:

• Human and animal urine and faeces
• Blood and other bodily fluids
• Pest infestations
• Rotting food
• Decomposition
• Raw sewage
• Smoke and fires
• Rotten garbage

Call National Trauma today on 0488 007 675 or visit us online and ask for an obligation-free quote.