Why You Home Doesn’t Smell So Fresh Anymore

We can spend a long time making sure that our homes look as we want them to look. They can have new, modern decor; furniture that’s a perfect blend of comfort and style; and that relaxing, homey feel that allows us to sink into all the joys of an evening spent indoors. However, there’s one thing in our home that can undo all our good work: the smell. If you suddenly realize that your home doesn’t smell quite as fresh as it once did, you’ll be hard pressed to enjoy the time you spend there; and may be reluctant to host guests. Don’t let your home get away with it: below, we take a look at where the odor might be coming from, and what you can do about it.

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Sink Issues

There’s nothing more off putting that walking through your front door and being greeted by a smell that should only belong in the sewer. It can happen from time to time, however, for one straightforward reason: your home is connected to the sewer. When you turn on your tap, the water is supposed to run one way: nothing is meant to come back. However, if the sink has malfunctioned in some way, then the system that is expected to stop smells coming back through the drain will no longer work. If you have that oh so terrible sewage smell, have your sinks inspected by an expert.

You’ve Got Mold

There’s nothing good about mold. It can affect the quality of our homes, cause us to have health problems, and, yup, can even make our homes smell. If you’re noticing that your home is beginning to have a musty smell, but can’t quite figure out from where it’s coming, then it’s likely that you have mold growing somewhere in your home. Unfortunately, even if you suspect you have mold growing, it’s not so easy to locate and then remove it, you should purchase a black mold test kit particularly since it usually grows in hidden parts of the home, such as the basement. Once found, you’ll need an expert in mold removal in basements to help get rid of it, as you won’t be able to do it yourself. Once removed, let the house air out, and the musty smell should disappear.

Poor House Hygiene

Most people are pretty good at making sure their homes are kept to a respectable standard of cleanliness. Some are good at making sure there’s not a speck of dust to be found anywhere in the house. Few, however, give their homes the deep clean that they really need. Things like walls and carpets will, over the years, absorb the smells of your home - and then stay there. As a matter of routine, you should be giving your carpet a deep clean and repainting your walls every so often to make sure those smells don’t have a chance to build up.

Old HVAC, Poor Air

You might be pumping air that smells bad into your home, and not even realize it. If you have an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that hasn’t been cleaned since you bought it, then filtering system is likely clogged with dirt, dust, and maybe even mold. Change the filter and give the system a bit of TLC, and the smell should go away. You can also use a dehumidifier in the worst affected rooms to clean the air out.

Insect Repellents, Other Creatures

If you live in an area that has insects and other animals attracted to your home, then you’ll have a two fold problem. You know mothballs, those things that are supposed to improve your home as they keep insects away? They’re effective, yes, but they also smell, and if you’ve been using them as a routine part of keeping your home bug free, then your home will have built up that all too recognizable “mothball” smell. Also, remember that creatures can - and often do - find their way into your home and then, one day, die. If you have a rotten smell that can’t be explained, it might be that you have a decomposing creature behind the walls or underneath your porch.  

Keeping the Kitchen Clean

Our kitchens are usually a source of pleasant smells, but they can also bring bad odors too, especially if you’re not scrubbing the food areas properly or emptying the fridge. Also, remember to clean the dishwasher: there’s a lot of build up of junk in there that begin to smell if it’s not regularly cleared away. Contrary to what you might think, your dishwasher won’t clean itself!

Take our tips above, and you’ll have a house that smells just as good as it looks.