How to get rid of bad smells in your home

Home & Life Hacks · 6 min read

You stop noticing your own home's smell after a while, but guests do not. Sprays and incense only mask odours for an hour. To actually get rid of a smell, you have to find what is producing it, remove or clean that, and then keep the air moving.

Find the source first

Smells come from something: bacteria feeding on food or sweat, mould growing in damp, or trapped gases from drains. Walk around with a deliberate nose. Check the bin, the sink trap, the fridge, the washing machine, shoe racks, bathroom corners, mattresses, curtains and the spot behind the sofa. If a smell is strongest in one place, the cause is probably within a metre of it.

Let air do half the job

Stale air holds odours. Open windows on opposite sides of the room for 10 to 15 minutes a day to create a cross-breeze, and run exhaust fans while cooking and bathing, and for some time afterwards. Sunlight is a gentle natural freshener, so air out pillows, mattresses and rugs in the sun when you can. Do not leave damp clothes drying in a closed room, since the moisture breeds musty smells.

Natural odour absorbers that really help

Material	Where it works	How to use
Baking soda	Fridge, shoes, carpets, mattresses	Leave an open bowl in the fridge; sprinkle on carpet or mattress, wait a few hours, then vacuum
White vinegar	Drains, bins, washing machines, hard surfaces	Dilute with water 1:1 and wipe; never mix with bleach
Lemon	Chopping boards, microwave, kettle	Rub cut lemon on boards; microwave a bowl of water with lemon slices for a few minutes, then wipe
Activated charcoal	Cupboards, shoe racks, car	Place small bags in the space and refresh in the sun every few weeks
Coffee grounds or tea leaves (dry)	Fridge, shoes	Keep in an open bowl or sachet

Kitchen smells

• Bin: empty daily or every other day, wash it weekly, and sprinkle baking soda in the bottom. Wrap fish, meat and onion peels before discarding.
• Sink and drain: pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of vinegar, let it fizz for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. Remove food scraps from the strainer daily.
• Fridge: every week, toss expired or forgotten items, wipe shelves with a baking soda solution, and store strong foods in airtight containers.
• Frying and tadka smells: switch on the chimney or exhaust before you start, and simmer a pot of water with cloves, cinnamon or citrus peels afterwards to freshen the air.
• Dishcloths and sponges: these breed bacteria. Rinse well, dry between uses and replace sponges often.

Bathroom and drain smells

A sewer-like smell often means the water seal in a floor drain has dried out. Pour a mug of water, with a spoon of oil on top to slow evaporation, down any rarely used drain. Clean hair from drain covers, scrub the toilet under the rim, and wash bath mats and towels regularly. Fix leaking taps and ensure ventilation, because damp corners grow mould. If the smell persists, a plumber should check for a broken trap or blockage.

Shoes, clothes and wardrobes

Shoes should dry fully between wears, so rotate pairs and keep them out of airless cupboards. Put a spoonful of baking soda or a tea bag inside overnight, or leave shoes in a sunny, breezy spot. For clothes, never put damp items in the laundry basket, wash gym wear soon after use, and add a half cup of vinegar to the final rinse for towels that smell musty. In the wardrobe, use neem leaves, camphor or small charcoal sachets, and allow the cupboard to breathe occasionally.

Musty and damp odours

A musty smell means moisture and likely mould. Locate the damp area, such as a leaky pipe, window sill or a wall near the bathroom, then fix the cause and dry it. Wipe small patches of surface mould with vinegar or a diluted detergent solution, wearing gloves and a mask. In humid seasons, a dehumidifier or bowls of rock salt or silica gel can cut moisture. Large patches or mould on walls and ceilings may indicate a structural leak that needs professional repair.

Safety first: never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners. The combination can release toxic gases. Ventilate well whenever you clean with strong products.

Upholstery, carpets and mattresses

Soft furnishings absorb smells. Vacuum regularly, sprinkle baking soda, leave it for a few hours and vacuum again. Wash cushion covers and curtains periodically, and sun-dry mattresses and pillows. For pet accidents, blot (do not rub), then use an enzyme-based pet cleaner, because only enzymes fully break down the odour molecules that attract animals back to the same place.

Be careful with air fresheners

Strong sprays, incense and plug-ins can irritate people with asthma or allergies and do not remove the cause. If you want a pleasant scent, simmer spices, set out fresh flowers, grow plants like mint and tulsi, or use a light essential-oil diffuser sparingly, keeping it away from pets and children.

Know when to call for help

A sharp rotten-egg smell near a gas appliance or the sweetish smell of cooking gas is an emergency: do not switch on lights or appliances, open windows, turn off the regulator and contact your gas provider. A persistent bad smell from walls may mean a dead rodent or hidden leak, and professionals can trace it quickly.

Final thoughts

Hunt for the source, clean it, absorb what remains and keep the air moving. Make a small weekly routine of emptying bins, airing rooms and drying things completely, and your home will smell like itself, clean and fresh, without any heavy perfume.