Buzz
You know that fresh, citrusy fragrance that fills the air when you step into a luxury hotel lobby? Imagine if your home could always smell like that—a pleasant, inviting scent that makes it feel like a serene, clean retreat. However, life often gets in the way, and before you realize it, your space may start to smell less than pleasant.
Whether it's a stinky dishwasher, funky shower drain smells, or even odors from pets, everyday life can introduce unpleasant scents into your home, despite cleaning with products like dish soap or tile cleaners. If you're struggling to pinpoint the source of a bad odor, try these possible causes, along with household cleaning tips and tricks. You might find the answer in an unexpected place.
Trash Can
This one is pretty obvious—garbage naturally stinks. Spills and crumbs can accumulate over time, causing unpleasant smells inside your kitchen trash can even if you empty it often. A quick solution is to use Febreze AIR, which eliminates odors rather than masking them. It delivers a refreshing burst to clear the air in your kitchen in no time.
To properly clean your trash can, spray it with diluted bleach and let it sit for a few hours, recommends Abe Navas, general manager of Emily's Maids house cleaning service in Dallas, Texas. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with water and use soap to scrub it clean.
Another option: designate one trash can specifically for "dirty trash" that you empty every day, even if it’s not full, suggests Jennifer Snyder, a certified professional organizer based in Waco, Texas, and owner of Neat as a Pin Organizing & Cleaning.
Refrigerator
The fridge is often the first place to check when you notice a strange smell coming from the kitchen. Unpleasant odors can arise from spilled drinks, expired items, or containers of leftovers that you keep meaning to eat but never do. While the cold temperatures in the fridge slow down bacterial growth, they don’t stop it entirely, leading to smells that linger.
Regularly clean out your fridge and look for forgotten items that have been sitting there far too long. Check expiration dates and throw away anything that’s old. Ensure any leftovers you’re still planning to eat are tightly sealed or well-wrapped. Also, don’t forget to wipe down the doors and trays to clean up any spills.
Pet Litter Boxes
Though they’re beloved members of the family, pets can develop odors, just like humans. "As their hair sheds, bacteria can grow—and it can get unpleasant quickly," explains Navas. Make sure to bathe your pet regularly, and clean their sleeping and eating areas with soap and water at least once a week (avoid using harsh chemicals). Vacuum under beds and couches to prevent hair and odor buildup, and if you have a litter box, be sure to sweep the area often. A good air freshener can also do wonders in keeping your home smelling fresh and less like your pets.
Wet Clothing
Avoid placing the laundry basket in your bathroom, advises Navas. Instead, keep it in your bedroom or another closet away from the steam of showers and baths. "Bacteria thrive in humid conditions, and that’s what causes unpleasant odors," he says. Even if you've cleaned the surfaces well with a shower cleaner, the smell of damp clothes will linger. If you have wet laundry, make sure to do a load as soon as possible.
Shoe Rack
When your feet start to smell, your shoes tend to follow suit. And with a full rack of shoes, the whole space can start to really stink. Shoes pick up sweat and dirt, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Without proper airflow, any moisture and bacteria trapped in your shoes can lead to strong, unpleasant odors. Shoes naturally trap moisture, and if you store them in a closet that lacks ventilation, the stench can get worse.
Make sure to let your shoes air out if they’re wet from sweat or rain. Wash them or wipe them down to clean off any dirt and debris. Keep them in a well-ventilated area, and consider using shoe fresheners or deodorizers to keep them smelling fresh while they rest in your shoe organizer.
Bedding
"We've all heard that we can't smell our own home, and that's because it smells like our bodies," says Snyder. Not the most pleasant thought, right? A major culprit is your sheets, which absorb body oils and dirt when they're not washed regularly.
Snyder advises washing your sheets every week if you shower in the morning, and every two weeks if you shower at night.
Mattress
Mattresses can start to smell due to moisture or dust mites. If you're prone to sweating at night or eating breakfast in bed, spills, crumbs, and sweat can build up in the crevices. Liquids can soak into the mattress, reaching the padding and causing a musty odor. Additionally, dust, dandruff, and dead skin cells can accumulate if the mattress isn't regularly cleaned or aired out.
To clean your mattress, aim to do so every six months. Regularly vacuum it, and for spills or stains, use a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide as a spot cleaner. Sprinkling baking soda on the mattress and letting it sit for an hour before vacuuming helps neutralize odors and fight bacteria.
Front-Load Washer
Household appliances that consistently come into contact with water can become a breeding ground for mold, which in turn nurtures foul-smelling bacteria, says Ron Shimek, the president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company based in Minneapolis. 'Whenever you open and close the washer’s door, moisture from each wash cycle gets trapped in the seal,' he explains.
The detergent drawer is another area that can collect moisture and mold. To prevent this, always leave both the door and the detergent drawer open for a few hours after finishing your last load. If you spot any mold, clean the affected areas with a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. Regularly using a washing machine cleaner can also prolong the life of your washer.
Dishwasher
Similar to your washing machine, your dishwasher is a common spot for mold and odors. 'The warm, damp environment inside is perfect for mold spores, particularly when food particles remain after your last wash,' Shimek adds.
To address this, regularly run an empty dry-heat cycle to clear the interior, including the silverware basket, filter, panels, and door gasket. If mold forms on the silverware basket, remove it and soak it in a sink with a diluted bleach solution and warm water for 30 minutes. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly before putting it back. Alternatively, you can use a commercial mold remover.
Garbage Disposal
This is another common source of kitchen odors. To avoid unpleasant smells, make sure to wipe down the inside of the garbage disposal, as grime can sometimes accumulate beneath the drain, explains Dana Kofsky, a wellness expert from Los Angeles and founder of Wellness Styled.
You can purchase garbage disposal deodorizers from brands like Plink, or opt for a DIY method by grinding a few thin strips of lemon, lime, or orange peel in the disposal. Not only does this help keep the drain clean, but it also serves as a natural deodorizer, filling your kitchen with a refreshing citrus aroma, says Kofsky.
Shower Drain
Showers are meant to keep you clean, but sometimes they need a little cleaning themselves. If neglected, the shower drain can trap grime that will start to stink. The build-up of hair, soap scum, and debris forms a perfect environment for bacteria and mold, leading to unpleasant odors. If this issue spreads into the pipes, it can result in a much worse smell. This is why it's crucial to regularly clean your shower drain.
To clean your shower drain, you can either use a commercial drain cleaner or mix baking soda with distilled white vinegar and hot water. Additionally, using a drain hair catcher can prevent hair and debris from accumulating, helping to maintain an odor-free drain.
New Furniture
You may associate the scent of a new sofa with that of a new car, and while that 'new' smell is pleasant, it's likely caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to Bart Wolbers, founder of Nature Builds Health. He points out that indoor toxin levels can be up to ten times higher than those outdoors, and furniture is a key contributor to this phenomenon.
VOCs can emit a potent odor and may pose serious health risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that these compounds can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, lead to headaches, and even cause damage to the liver and kidneys. If any object in your home—be it furniture or a mattress—continues to emit a strong odor after a month, consider requesting a refund, advises Wolbers.
Toilet
Toilets are well-known for being smelly areas in the home, and it’s not just the obvious reason. They can also harbor bacteria and have mold or mildew growing under the rim or inside the tank. Additionally, hard water stains can worsen these issues, leading to lingering odors that remain long after flushing.
Regularly cleaning the toilet with both commercial disinfectants and natural remedies is essential. Toilet bowl cleaners can address the interior of the bowl, but it's equally important to use a bathroom cleaner and microfiber cloth to scrub the outside surfaces of the toilet. Flushing the toilet to empty the tank and removing the lid to clean any rust, mold, or mildew can also help keep odors at bay.
