What’s that Nasty, Smelly Odor? How to Get Rid Nasty Odor Fast

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Nothing says home sweet home like a clean, fresh-smelling house. Have you ever walked into your home and wondered, “ew, what stinks?” Worse yet, you may have had the fear that guests could walk into your home and have the same thought. It’s embarrassing to be that friend with the smelly house. But we’re all adults here. Kids, pets, and just normal, everyday living can make your home smell less than ideal. Here’s how you can get rid of nasty odor fast so your home can smell as fresh and clean as the day you bought it. 

What Are The Biggest Culprits Making Your House Smell

Several common offenders could be causing a nasty odor to waft down your halls, into your bedroom, or linger in your kitchen, putting a damper on everyone’s appetite. Mainly, the biggest causes of bad smells and odors are:

• Pets
• Mold and Mildew
• Bacteria build-up

Basically, bad smells come from bacteria and germs. Dogs and cats bring in mud and gunk inside, and anyone who has kids knows they can do a number on your carpets. Appliances can hold in mold and mildew smells. And fabrics? The worst offenders. Fabrics like carpets and curtains hold in pet odor, old spills, and odor-causing bacteria like no other floor covering. 

You might be worried that you’ll have to replace the carpets to get a fresh-smelling house again. But fear not. It’s possible to clean your carpets to remove pet odor while saving you time, money, and hassle on a carpet replacement. Below are the top odor-causing offenders and the steps you can take to freshen things up. 

Remove Odors from the Trash Can

It’s obvious - trash smells. But what if you’ve taken out the trash, and the place still reeks like three-day-old takeout boxes? What could possibly be going on? Sometimes when your house smells like trash, it’s not the trash itself, but the actual trash can or bin that’s causing you problems. 

Most trash cans are made of plastic, and plastic is a porous material. Odor-causing bacteria can become lodged into the can, causing it to smell even when it’s empty. Cleaning it and removing the odor is easy. Sprinkle baking soda in the can, especially under the led. Scrub it down with a clean sponge, then spray the trash can with a disinfectant to kill the odor-causing bacteria for good. 

Appliances

The fridge, dishwasher, and microwave are top offenders for odor-causing bacteria. Anywhere you prep and store food is going to collect a disturbing amount of germs that waft a not-so-lovely odor. For the dishwasher, be sure to use dishwasher-cleaning soaps or pods at least once per month to eliminate and prevent offensive smells. Be sure to rinse or wipe your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher to cut down on odors and bacteria from accruing inside the appliance.

The fridge is easy to freshen-up as well but will take a bit of elbow grease. Sometimes food and drinks will spill, and crumbs will gather in the corners of the shelves and drawers. Once a month or so, scrub it all down with soap and water. Leave an open container of baking soda inside the fridge to absorb smells in-between cleanings. 

Maybe you’ve wiped down the inside of your microwave, and it still reeks. Microwaves see a lot of action when it comes to cooking your food, and as such, they will absorb odors and smells. One way to eliminate them after you clean the inside with soap and water is to boil water and sliced lemons inside the microwave. 

Washing machines can trap mold and mildew and start to smell, too, especially front-loading machines. Fortunately, it’s not hard to eliminate odors here. Simply wash away the smell by pouring two cups of bleach into the empty washer, and then run it on a full load with hot water. 

Carpets and Pet Odor Removal

Carpets are an attractive home for bacteria and all kinds of smelly odors. Soft and porous materials love to trap smells and germs, and carpets do an exceptional job of it. If you have pets and carpets both, then you’ve got your work cut out for you to keep on top of things. Fortunately, it’s not that hard to freshen up the carpets. 

Depending on how much carpet you have, you will need a generous amount of baking soda to get the job done. Sprinkle baking soda on every surface of the rug. This baking soda trick for cleaning carpets also works on pet beds. You’ll need to let the baking soda sit for at least an hour. Go binge-watch your favorite Netflix show, or go visit your friend for a few hours while the baking soda works its magic. 

When you return, just vacuum up the baking soda. Mild smells and pet odors should be gone. But for severe smells and offensive odors, you’ll want to contact a professional. 

Pet Odor Removal Services: A Takeaway Message

Pets are treasured members of our family, but they sure can cause a stink, especially if you have carpets. No matter how often you clean, these smells can accumulate over time. Pets can also get old and sick and may have more accidents in the home, which can do a number on your carpets and furniture. An accident or two can be easily removed with a little bit of white vinegar mixed with water. But for bigger jobs, you’ll need the help of professionals. 

At SERVPRO Richardson, we’ve smelled our fair share of pet odors. We have successfully removed them, too, with our proprietary pet odor removal services. If you’re looking to get your home or rental property market-ready and need it smelling fresh, we can help. If your home sweet home has been smelling less than sweet lately, contact us today at (972) 690-1414. We’ll give you a free, no-obligation quote on our fast and affordable pet odor removal services.