Have you caught your visitors sniffing and wrinkling their noses? Can’t stand that odd smell coming from the basement? Odours in a house or condo can quickly impact the occupants’ quality of life! Especially when the source is unknown.
In fact, there are occasions when the smell isn’t due to one single reason, but a very stinky combination of separate minor issues. It can be harder to deal with, though, when this is the case.
Here’s how to fix the problem once and for all!
Understanding Where Bad Smells Come From
Before you start spraying the room with air freshener hoping to make the smell go away, take the time to uncover the source.
Frequent causes of persistent odours:
- damp
- cooking
- pets
- plumbing
- textiles
- trash dropped or forgotten behind furniture
The most common culprits in a home are the basement and garage.
In a condo, compact kitchens, windowless bathrooms, or shared ventilation systems are typically responsible for unpleasant olfactive surprises.
Humidity: Your Number One Enemy
A musty smell? Like wet earth? The problem is almost always due to high humidity levels. Examine dark corners, behind furniture pushed up against walls, under rugs, and inside closets. If the odour is coming from the basement, it could be a sign of water infiltration. Inspect the seals and check for cracks!
Solutions:
- Install a dehumidifier.
- Improve airflow (open the doors, rearrange the furniture).
- Make sure the ventilation is working properly. Small rooms can quickly become cluttered, and it doesn’t take much space for damp to settle in.
The smell will return, however, unless you discover the source.
The Kitchen: Heavenly Aromas… or Hell for the Nose
Odours tend to stick around in the kitchen: fried food, fish, dirty dishes left in the sink, overflowing trash bins… We all know what it’s like to walk into a kitchen after a hearty meal and be assailed by its lingering smell.
Tips for getting rid of smells right away:
- Wash the trash can and recycling bin with baking soda.
- Also thoroughly wipe down occasionally overlooked areas: tops of cupboards, furniture surfaces, behind the microwave.
- Clean the dishwasher (yes, deposits build up there too).
- Boil a pot of water with lemon or vinegar to neutralize odours.
- Meticulously scrub the inside of the fridge (even if it doesn’t stink! Remember: one bad smell may originate from multiple minor sources).
- Vacuum behind the refrigerator and oven (food may be rotting there!).
And tips to keep them from coming back:
- Run the range hood before, during, and after cooking.
- Don’t let your dishwasher become dirty (remove debris from the bottom and surfaces daily).
Fabrics, Rugs, and Textiles: Stink Sponges
Couches, curtains, rugs, and cushions easily trap odour. Your nose may get used to them quickly, but visitors will definitely notice.
Effective advice:
- Wash slipcovers and curtains.
- Sprinkle baking soda on upholstered furniture and mattresses, leave to absorb any smells, then vacuum up.
- Air fabric items outside whenever possible.
- Have carpets professionally cleaned once a year.
In a condo, where space is more limited, pungent textiles can rapidly spoil the overall ambience.
Pets: How to Minimize the Odours They Leave Behind
Pet parents can’t deny it: even the tidiest cat or cutest dog may leave a persistent scent after leaving the room.
Solutions to try:
- Clean and air out cushions, baskets, and blankets.
- Vacuum frequently, especially fabrics.
- Empty the litter box regularly (and completely replace the litter before the smell gets out of hand).
- Use enzymatic products to clean up accidents.
Pipes and Drains: Source of the Most Noxious Odours
A clogged drain or soap residue is enough to produce an unpleasant odour in the bathroom. In some condos, poor pipe insulation can also allow smells from other units to mingle and intensify.
Quick fixes:
- Wipe down all surfaces, tiles and grout, and outside and inside the vanity.
- Pour a hot solution of vinegar and baking soda down the sink.
- Clean the drain grills.
- Check that the u-bend is in good condition (the section of the pipe that serves to keep that sewer stench from coming up).
Winning Habits for a Sweet-Smelling Home
To stop unpleasant smells from returning, adopt a few simple habits:
- Air out your home every day, even in winter.
- Wipe down surfaces where bacteria proliferate.
- Use air purifiers or HEPA filters.
- Change your ventilation filters, especially if you live in a condo.
These simple steps you will not only ensure your own comfort, but, through proper maintenance, will also help your property retain its charm!
