Many homeowners spend a small fortune to make sure their homes look picture-perfect. We hire contractors, landscape architects, and interior designers so we can have a home we can be proud of. However, all of that can be undone if your house stinks. Nobody wants to live in a home that smells band, even if it has gorgeous interiors. It’s time we consider odors as an essential component of home design.
Just because your home has a smell doesn’t mean you have a hygiene problem. Environmental factors such as the lack of air and heat, dust buildup, and humidity can all cause a room to develop an unpleasant odor. And if you have pets, you also have to deal with their odors and hair. Some people mask odors with air fresheners which only hide the issue and do nothing to solve the root cause. In some cases, it can even exacerbate the problem.
If you have a bad odor in your home, you need to strike at the root of the problem. You can also hire a professional who can do air duct cleaning in Concord, New Hampshire. Here are a few problem areas you might want to focus on.
Trash cans
Dirty trash cans are one of the main culprits behind bad household odors. It’s not exactly surprising since food spoils quickly and waste can get rancid after a few days. However, there are ways to minimize the odors that emanate from your trash.
For starters, you need to keep your trash cans clean. It’s always a good idea to wash them from time to time to prevent the buildup of dirt and gunk. You can also remove odors with items you easily find around the house. Citrus peels or coffee grounds can cover up bad odors while cat litter will help absorb any liquids from your garbage.
You can also use baking soda to cover up odors. You might want to exercise extra caution if you have a metal trash can: sodium bicarbonate is corrosive to metal. In that case, you can use the alternative I mentioned above.
Wooden furniture
Wooden furniture has a tendency to smell, especially as it ages. The musty old furniture smell can make a room feel homier and more lived in. But a home full of antiques often smells of decay. To counteract the musty smell, you need to improve air circulation in your home by opening doors and windows.
Another thing you need to look out for is the odor from closets and cabinet drawers. The air can get stale inside these little pockets, which only contributes to the old furniture smell. Objects you store inside cabinets and closets can absorb the odor, so you need to find a way to prevent that from happening. You don’t want your clothes and linens to smell like they haven’t been touched in decades.
One easy solution is to place some white vinegar inside the closet or drawer to absorb the bad odor. Don’t forget to place a dish towel underneath to absorb any spills. Once the odor has been removed, place dryer sheets to keep the pocket smelling fresh. Desiccant packs will also absorb any moisture in the air.
Dead animals
If an animal like a rodent dies within your walls, it could be days before you notice anything out of the ordinary. But once the smell hits you, you’re going to drive yourself crazy looking for the source. The odor won’t go away unless the carcass isn’t removed. Heat and moisture can also make the smell worse.
The fastest way to deal with a dead animal is to remove it as soon as you can. But if that isn’t an option, there are ways to neutralize the odors without tearing out your walls. The solution involves a lot of white vinegar. Pour a few bottles into a large plastic container and cover it with plastic wrap. Punch the plastic wrap lid with a few holes and place the container in the middle of the room. Leave it there for a few days and, eventually, the odors will go away.
The bottom line
These are just some of the ways you can get rid of bad odors. Odor is an incredibly powerful tool: it can evoke certain memories, relax us, and put us in the right mood. Unfortunately, bad odors are equally powerful as well. As long as you keep your home clean and properly ventilated, your home will smell fresh all the time.
