The smell is often called humans’ most powerful sense, and good (and bad) smells tell us a lot about the world: what we should eat, even whom we should kiss. When it comes to our homes, if a space smells fresh, that’s a great sign. When there is a bad smell in the house, we feel uneasy.
First Off, Aim for Zero Odor
The secret to a nose-friendly space isn’t to spray fragrance on top of yucky stuff: A clean home should smell like nothing. For folks who get overwhelmed by too much fragrance (or who have allergies or asthma), the work may end at neutralizing bad odors. But for those who love a scent, we have ideas for you too.
Tackle the Bad…
(1)Deal With Moisture.
It’s the number one cause of bad smell in the house. Consider using a hygrometer to test the humidity level in each room—if you discover a room with humidity above 60 percent, you may want to use a dehumidifier. If needed, you can run more than one dehumidifier, but note that they can use a lot of energy: Start with one and see how it goes.
If you live in a humid climate, avoid wall-to-wall carpeting or rugs, which can trap moisture, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Consider keeping moisture-absorbing products in smaller areas that get damp, such as bathrooms and some closets. And keep an eye on more micro sources of moisture, such as sponges and towels. Replace sponges at least every one to two weeks, ensure clean towels are fully dry before folding and putting them away and hang bath mats over the shower rod to help them dry.
(2)Out With the Obvious.
Spots like litter boxes, garbage cans, pet beds, and diaper pails are all places that give off funky smells. Duh, you might say, but unfortunately, the more time we spend around these things, the less likely we are to realize that they stink. This “nose blindness” is actually adaptive, because when regular smells fade into the background and an unfamiliar scent pops up (like smoke), we notice it more. But it can also mean that your stuff smells and you don’t even know it. So it’s important to be proactive. Clean the inside of your garbage can (including the lid, if there is one) at least once a month. Keep a bit of kitty litter at the bottom of the pail to absorb smells. Launder pet beds regularly, and scoop the litter box every day. And if you can, try to use small garbage pails in your home so you’re basically forced to take out the trash more regularly.
(3)Open the Fridge.
The first course of action for a funky fridge should be pretty obvious: Toss anything that is past its prime. Some of the worst offenders are condiments—which people tend to think last forever—and leftovers. Then give the interior of your fridge a thorough scrubbing. If you have removable shelves and drawers, pull them out and soak them in hot, soapy water. Wipe down the inside of the structure with a 1-to-1 mixture of hot water and white vinegar with a tiny drop of dish soap. Use a damp cloth to rinse. Remember to only use cleaners that are food-safe inside your fridge. Stay away from bleach, she advises, as it’s difficult to properly dilute and rinse.
(4)Clean Soft Surfaces
Carpets, throw pillows, upholstery, bed linens, and window covers are magnets for smells. Once a spill dries or dirt gets wiped away, odor-causing bacteria can still stay behind. In carpets, a missed stain can lead to mold or mildew. The maker recommends having a professional steam-clean your upholstery and carpets once a year. For throw pillows, bed linens, and window covers, check the fabric care labels to see if they can be machine-washed.
The easiest way to avoid smells on a carpet is to quickly attack any spill. Biological stains, like an accident from a pet or a child, should be treated with an enzyme cleaner.
(5)And Finally…Use Sweet Scents Strategically
It’s a good idea to stay away from overly sweet, cloying smells when scenting your home. If you love your sugar apple cinnamon candle, save that for times when you’re home on your own.
For times when you’re sharing your space, however, steer clear of sugary scents and stick to more natural ones, like woods, florals, and citrus. You can still get a similar feeling as you do with the sugary-smelling scents. But the result will be longer-lasting and more impactful.
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