The first step to tracking and solving bad smells in your home is identifying the source. Start by eliminating any of the obvious sources, such as taking out all garbage and cleaning kitchens and bathrooms.
Next, clear your sense of smell by stepping outside for a few minutes and/or sniffing coffee beans, which are known to “reset” your sense of smell. Re-enter your home and follow the smell to the area where it’s the strongest.
Earthy smell in house
An earthy smell in the home is usually identified as mold or mildew. Once properly identified, earthy smells can be eliminated by the use of a borax or bleach solution.
Earthy smells are typically associated with mold or mildew. Some people describe mold as smelling like rotting wood or wet socks. These kinds of smells should be taken seriously, as mold can cause health issues or structural damage to a home.
Common sources of earthy smells include water leaks, laundry drains, front load washers, windows, refrigerators and freezers, or plants. When cleaning mold, limit your exposure as much as possible.
This includes wearing a mask and gloves to prevent physical contact or breathing in spores. The most effective cleaning solutions are use of a water and bleach solution, or a borax solution.
To mix an effective borax solution, mix ½ cup of borax, ½ cup of vinegar, and 2 cups of water. Saturate the affected area with your chosen mixture and let it sit for about ten minutes. Scrub the area and dry it completely. While bleach will effectively eliminate the bleach, borax will kill the spores and help prevent future mold growth.
Exhaust smell in the house
Exhaust smells in your home can be dangerous and should be taken seriously. This usually indicates a problem with your furnace. Contact a professional to solve the issue and be sure that you are not in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
An exhaust smell in your house usually indicates an issue with your furnace. Before attempting to tackle the smell, prioritize your health. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working so ensure that you are not in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
An exhaust smell is usually produced when something is blocking the vent of your furnace, causing noxious fumes to re-enter your home.
The best way to eliminate these fumes is to call a professional who can take care of the problem safely. If you are experiencing any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing, contact 911 immediately, as this exposure can be life threatening.
Rotten cabbage smell in the house
A rotten cabbage smell in the home is usually indicative of decomposition. Find the source by tracking the scent to the area it is strongest. If the area cannot be reached for cleaning, contact a professional.
The smell of decomposition is often described as a rotten cabbage smell. It could be a rotting vegetable or an animal that has died in your house. Reset your sense of smell by stepping outside for a few minutes or sniffing coffee beans.
Follow the scent to its source. If you can find the item that is causing the smell, clean the area with a bleach solution. If you cannot find the source, the dead creature could be in your ductwork or walls. Contact a professional to assist in removal.
Rat smell in the house
The decomposition and waste of rats produces many bad odors. Removing deceased rodents and using powerful cleaners can help treat and eliminate these smells. Extreme caution should be used when handling rats and rodent faeces to prevent the spreading of viruses or bacteria.
A rat infestation can bring a host of bad odors- including decomposition, feces, and urine. If you are dealing with live rats, contact a professional exterminator. Dead rats should be carefully removed with gloves and disposed of in a plastic bag, as not to spread any bacteria or viruses.
Animal waste should be removed cautiously in a similar fashion. To eliminate the potent odor, a powerful enzyme cleaner must be used. It may not be effective in solving smells on all surfaces. Furniture, carpet, and other absorbent materials may need to be replaced.
Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?
Turpentine smell in the house
A turpentine smell in your house could be present if you have recently painted. Air out the room and leave it if you can. The smell could also be due to a coolant leak in your air conditioner unit. Contact a professional to help you resolve this issue.
Turpentine is a strong chemical found in paint thinner and nail polish. Turpentine can be a difficult scent to track, as it could be coming from many different places. If your home has been recently painted, open the windows and air the area out, as this could be causing the smell.
If this is not the case, you could be dealing with an air conditioner refrigerant leak. If the odor is strongest when you are near your HVAC unit, contact a specialist right away, as these kinds of chemicals can be damaging to your health.
TCP smell in the house
A TCP smell may indicate an electrical issue in your house. Once you have located the general source of the smell, contact a professional to help resolve the problem.
A TCP smell in your home is often related to an electrical issue in your home. It is often described as a sort of antiseptic odor. Reset your smell by stepping outside for a few minutes or sniffing coffee beans. Re-enter the home and track the smell to the area that it seems to be the strongest. Contact an electrician to investigate.
Tar smell in the house
The odor of tar usually comes from chronic cigarette usage in a space. Although it may be difficult to solve the smell completely, it can be helped by airing out the space and cleaning it thoroughly.
The scent of tar from cigarette smoke can be difficult to eliminate. First, air out the space by opening all windows for several days. Walls, ceilings, floors, and cabinets will all need to be cleaned thoroughly.
Make an ammonia solution by mixing one cup of non-sudsing ammonia with one gallon water. It may also be helpful to fill several bowls with white vinegar and let them sit in the space overnight. Consider investing in or renting an ozone generator.
Acetone smell in the house
An acetone, or turpentine smell in your house could be present if you have recently painted. Air out the room and leave it if you can. The smell could also be due to a coolant leak in your air conditioner unit. Contact a professional to help you resolve this issue.
Turpentine is a strong chemical found in paint thinner and nail polish, and often smells like acetone. Turpentine can be a difficult scent to track, as it could be coming from many different places.
If your home has been recently painted, open the windows and air the area out, as this could be causing the smell. If this is not the case, you could be dealing with an air conditioner refrigerant leak.
If the odor is strongest when you are near your HVAC unit, contact a specialist right away, as these kinds of chemicals can be damaging to your health.
Antifreeze smell in the house
If you have a boiler and hydronic heaters, you may smell antifreeze if there is a leak. If you have another type of heating system, it is likely not antifreeze, but a refrigerant leak. An HVAC professional can help you resolve both of these issues.
Dusty smell in the house
Dusty smells in your home can sometimes be eliminated through deep cleaning. However, if the odor persists, it could be a sign of mold. Contact a professional who may be able to help you identify the source.
If you are dealing with a persistent dusty odor in a specific room, begin by cleaning the room top to bottom. This includes washing ceilings, walls, and floors. If the scent still lingers, it could be associated with mold in ductwork or the walls. Contact a professional to help you eliminate these odors, as mold inhalation can be damaging to your health.
Freon smell in the house
A freon smell is usually described as a sickly sweet scent. The smell of freon often is associated with a coolant leak, or other issues with your air conditioner leak. If you are having problems with this odor, alert a professional, as inhaling refrigerants can be damaging to your health.
Latex smell in the house
A latex smell in your home usually comes from burning rubber or plastic. This could be the sign of something electrical overheating, which is a fire hazard. Pay attention to the smell when you use appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, or air conditioners. Contact a professional to help you identify and solve the issue.
Vanilla smell in the house
Vanilla smells in your home can be eliminated by cleaning with a vinegar solution, or neutralizing the scent with citrus scented cleaners or candles.
While some homeowners may see vanilla as a pleasant smell, it may be overpowering and too sweet for others. Try cleaning with a vinegar and water solution to eliminate the smell. Fresh, citrusy scents may also help to neutralize the sweet smell of vanilla. Many household cleaners and candles come in these types of scents.
New roof smell in the house
The smell of roof tar may take weeks or months to go away after the installation of a new roof. You can improve the smell through the use of good ventilation or turbine vents to push the smell out. Adding essential oils to your air filter can also help a better smell circulate throughout the home.
