Top 7 Reasons Your House Smells and How to Fix It

The Cat Litter Box

If you have cats, their litter box can cause bad smells in your home. Be sure to scoop it out regularly and change the litter completely at least once a week. Consider using a litter box with a lid to help contain the smells or one of the automated kitty litter boxes hitting the market. Cat urine is very pungent and can be difficult to remove, so it’s essential to act quickly. Indoor Air and Odor Management, Brevard county’s most experienced odor remediator, has treatment plans to remove the unwanted scent of cat urine. Look for any signs of urine stains if the smell seems to be coming from a particular spot in your house. What happens if you smell urine but are not currently in a cat-friendly home? Previous homeowners may have loved a cat or two in the home. Look for moisture, especially if you have wood floors. Moisture from a leak or a spill can release odors previously trapped inside wood floors or walls. There is no need to panic. Indoor Air and Odor Management’s team is highly trained in the latest odor removal techniques and will work quickly and efficiently to get your property smelling fresh and clean again.

The Dirty Sink

We have all been there, a sink full of dirty dishes. A full sink may be a nightly occurrence if you do not have a dishwasher. Be sure to wash those dishes as soon as possible. A sink full of dirty dishes can lead to mold and mildew, which can cause an unpleasant smell in your home. Once the dishes are cleaned, the smell should dissipate, but if your house smells “just not right,” check for mold and mildew. Indoor Air and Odor Management recommend checking for any intrusive, moldy smells in moisture-prone areas as they can radiate from under a sink, dishwasher, or through cracks in caulking. Treatment can be fast and thorough with Indoor Air & Odor Management’s techniques to eradicate mold and mildew immediately!

The Trash Can

This one is self-explanatory but often forgotten by many homeowners after a busy day. Take the trash out regularly, mainly if it contains food items. You do not want your house smelling like rotting garbage. Seafood or bloodied meat wrappers are the biggest culprits. Like many other indoor house smells, these smells can be absorbed by porous fabrics or carpets if left untreated and linger longer than necessary. Store-bought treatments can only bring so much temporary relief. Indoor Air and Odor Management can help no matter the size of your home. Whether you have taken up the RV lifestyle, rent a cute beachside apartment, or live in a spacious family home, Indoor Air and Odor Management can rescue your nose!

Don’t let house smells ruin your day. Indoor Air and Odor Management’s trusted team is here to make your home smell fresh and clean!

The Bathroom

The bathroom is another common source of bad smells in the home. Be sure to clean it regularly, including the toilet, sink, and shower. Bathrooms are another place in the home that is prone to mold and mildew odors. Try using a natural cleaner like vinegar to clean and disinfect the bathroom surfaces. You can also use baking soda to scrub away any built-up grime. If those do not do the trick, Indoor Air and Odor Management’s team of skilled professionals is trained to combat bad smells at the source with our state-of-the-art ozone treatments.

The Fireplace

In Florida, fireplaces are uncommon, but there are beautiful homes with sweeping views of fireplaces and mantels. If smoke smells linger in your home and your house smells like a campfire, Indoor Air and Odor Management is here to alleviate the smells. On the flip side, if you smell a burning smell and aren’t the proud owner of a fireplace, the smell of smoke, or anything resembling something burning, you should be alarmed. Even if you do not visually notice a fire, check unused rooms of the home, exteriors, and feel walls. A fire could be smoldering inside.

If after a lightning storm, which is, unfortunately, a frequent occurrence in Florida, an acrid odor could mean you have overheating electrical wires or appliances shorted out by a lightning strike. While we hope you never have to experience this type of unexpected home fire, know Indoor Air and Odor Management will be there to help you return to your fresh-smelling home as soon as possible.

New Furniture or Carpet Smells

New carpets or furniture often create a sense of inspiration. If your house smells after the delivery or installation, you are smelling the chemical formaldehyde. Furniture adhesives, resins, or preservatives often contain these dangerous carcinogens or VOCs. Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. These classifications are based on evidence from studies in both humans and animals.

These formaldehyde smells turn to a gas when left at room temperature. While leaving the furniture outside or in a garage to “off-gas” would be a standard solution, it is not always a viable option because it can take years for the smells to diminish fully. Indoor Air and Odor Management utilize treatment plans to remove these unwanted smells that can cause headaches, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, allergic reactions, and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals. Some people may have allergic reactions to formaldehyde, which can be severe.

A Smelly Closet or Mudroom

If you are a gym rat or an athlete playing a sport, dirty clothes or equipment can cause even the cleanest of homes to smell bad. Removing the equipment, wet shoes, or damp clothing from a closed hamper, closed closet, or mudroom can do the trick. It is essential to allow air to filtrate through the fabrics and other porous materials. It is additionally vital to wash the clothing regularly. Sports equipment is challenging to clean, so it is a good idea to place a mini dehumidifier or charcoal satchels inside your clothes closet or gym bag to absorb excess moisture and odors. Indoor Air and Odor Management can take the guesswork out of the odor problem by treating the area with one of their customer-backed services.

Rid Your Odors with Indoor Air and Odor Management

When it comes to getting rid of bad smells, a few tried and true methods always work. Ventilation is key to airing out any space, whether it’s your home or office. Another method is to identify the source of the smell and clean it up. The moisture in Florida is always problematic for specific smells like mold and mildew, so address each smell individually.

If you’re still struggling with bad smells, call in the Indoor Air and Odor Management professionals. They can help you figure out the best way to eliminate the smell. From there, they can provide you with a customized plan to keep your space smelling fresh and clean. The Indoor Air & Odor Management professionals are waiting to assist you today. Don’t delay – call 321-890-0860!