How to Remove Unwanted Smells from the Home
Removing Unwanted Smells from Your Home
Lingering, unpleasant smells in the home can come from a number of sources. Some aren’t so serious and are easily remedied. However, some can be signs of danger and may require professional remediation. Your first order of business is determining what type of smell it is. From there, you can find the source and the solution. Here is a guide for removing some common unwanted smells from your home.
My House Smells Musty
If you live in an area with high humidity, or if you’ve recently suffered water damage, a musty odor is probably the result of mold. Mold thrives in damp, warm spaces and can be dangerous to your health. Check for these types of spaces in your home as they could be supporting mold growth. If you can find it, clean the area thoroughly with a good disinfectant and dry the area via ventilation and dehumidifiers. Once it’s dry, apply a mold resistant coating wherever possible to help prevent future outbreaks. Remember that mold isn’t always visible. If you can’t see any, you may want to consider hiring a professional restoration company. These companies have non-invasive meters that can test your home’s mold levels.
My House Smells Like Tobacco Smoke
Figuring out the source of this one is easy enough but getting rid of the smell is another matter entirely. Tobacco smoke covers everything in the home with a residue and penetrates carpets, upholstery, bedding, and more. If you’re looking to try a DIY approach, a professional grade odor neutralizer can help. Just know, though, that every single corner of the house will need a thorough cleaning. You’ll also probably have to seal the walls with an odor sealant and repaint them. It might be best to leave this job to professionals.
My House Smells Like Pet Urine
Again, it’s easy to find the source here. Furthermore, it’s a much easier job than tobacco smoke. If it’s on a non-porous surface, a thorough cleaning will often do the job. On porous surfaces like carpets, a good cleaning followed by an odor neutralizer may be enough. On the other hand, you may want to discard or replace what you can or call in the professionals.
Getting Rid of Other Smells in the Home
The kitchen, bathrooms, and basement can also be the source of unpleasant smells. Often, it will be a plumbing issue so check for leaking pipes. In the kitchen, make sure to clean your refrigerator and oven regularly. Don’t forget to get underneath and behind the appliances as food can often get stuck back there and rot. Smells in the basement are often the product of moisture, so again, you’ll want to check for leaks.
Many of these jobs can be handled with a cleaner-disinfectant combination as well as an odor neutralizer. However, if you can’t find the source, don’t hesitate to call a good restoration company and leave it to the professionals.
