How to Get Rid of House Odors

Bad odors often linger in places like the kitchen, basement and bathroom; they permeate your pets’ favorite spots, carpet and fabric fibers, and more. Here are some budget-friendly tips for eliminating bad odors from various sources in your home:

• Remove the source of the smell. To truly fix the odor issue, you should identify the cause and fix the problem. For instance, removing a dead rodent from the air ducts or fixing the plumbing could stop the bad smells from permeating your home.
• Wash hard surfaces, such as countertops, tables, hard floors or walls with either your favorite cleaner or with a mixture of half water, half white vinegar.
• Eliminate pet odors
  • Wash the dog with a solution of 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of mild dishwashing liquid. Avoid the eyes and ears.
  • Empty the cat litter box, then clean it by pouring ½ inch of vinegar in it and adding some baking soda. Add water, stir and let it soak for a few hours. Afterwards, remove the liquid, wash, rinse and let it dry.
• For more tips on how to get rid of pet odors in your home click here.

• Clean carpets and fabrics. If the carpet smells, clean it yourself or have it professionally cleaned. As a temporary solution, sprinkle a small amount of fresh baking soda, leave it on for 15 minutes (or more), and then vacuum it.

• Fight kitchen smells
  • Fridge – keep an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb smells. For more efficiency, wipe down shelves using hydrogen peroxide and a piece of cloth.
  • Garbage disposal – grind some ice, then sprinkle Borax down the disposal and rinse it with water.
  • Fish and other food smells – boil a cup of vinegar on the stove to release vapors that absorb smells quickly. Wipe down the cabinets with soap and warm water.
  • Garbage can – if the can itself smells, wash it with water and white vinegar. If the garbage smells, but the can isn’t full yet, remove the odors by dropping some coffee grounds in it.
• Eliminate cigarette smoke. To completely remove tobacco smell, clean the smoke residue on every object and structure in the affected room(s). As a temporary solution, mask the smell with bowls of white vinegar, coffee grounds or activated charcoal. Click here for more tips on cigarette odor removal.
• Remove bathroom odors
  • Toilet – add 1 cup of white vinegar into the bowl, wait 5 minutes, then scrub and flush.
  • Sink drain – mix ½ cup of bleach and ½ cup of water and pour it down the drain. Let it stand for 1 hour and then rinse with water.

Following these tips can help lessen the odors in your home. For professional deodorization services in homes affected by tobacco smoke, fire, mold, or other causes, contact your local PuroClean office.

Restoration Support from PuroClean of Princeton

House odors are easier to address when you identify the source rather than covering the smell with fragrance. If your property has been affected, explore our professional restoration services or contact PuroClean of Princeton at (609) 436-5959 to discuss the damage and next steps. For general guidance, see the IICRC’s professional cleaning and restoration standards.

Finding the Source of House Odors

Notice where the smell is strongest, when it started, and whether it changes after rain, cleaning, or appliance use. Check accessible areas without disturbing suspected contamination. Record recent leaks or spills and describe the observations to a suitable professional if the cause remains unclear. Recurring house odors may require investigation of the source instead of repeated deodorizing. If you suspect gas, leave the area and contact your gas provider or emergency services; do not treat it as a routine cleaning problem.