Chicago Home and Lifestyles – 5 tips to freshen up a smelly house
We all love our home to smell good, but after the normal activities day after day, it can wind up smelling anything but fresh. We might think it smells fine, but there are some habits we have that may be adding to a scent our guests won’t appreciate. Here are some of the things that could be causing that not so pleasant smell and the way to fix it:
Rotting food is usually the culprit in the kitchen. If your garbage is overflowing and you have thrown out any bad food lately, there’s your problem! Bacteria loves to grow on food and it doesn’t take long to start smelling. After taking out the garbage, I recommend cleaning the can too. Use any regular kitchen cleaning spray inside and out and wipe down with paper towels.
Another source of odors in the kitchen are sinks and garbage disposals. They can harbor food particles that bacteria feed on. Clean them weekly. An easy way to do this is to dump a boiling pot of water into the drain, let cool for a few minutes. Throw in a cup of baking soda followed by one cup of distilled vinegar. Cover the drain with a cloth and let fizz for ten minutes. Then flush with another pot of boiling water. If you notice funky smells persisting, try cleaning your refrigerator with soap and warm water. Go through it weekly to remove any old or expired food, and wipe it out monthly.
Carpets and rugs impact the air quality as they harbor odors from pet fur or dander, spills and dead skin cells. Use a carpet deodorizer and let it sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming. Deep clean once per year. This certainly keeps things smelling good and also brings them back to life! Speaking of pet odors…
Pets are often large contributors to smells in the home. Try using enzyme-based cleaners to clean any pet messes, and if you can, bathe them monthly!
Poor ventilation and excess humidity can keep odors trapped in areas like the bathroom and kitchen. This leads to mold and mildew, and gives your house a musty smell. Make sure you have properly working vent hoods in the kitchen and vents in the bathroom to remove odors and excess moisture—and make sure they vent outside. If you can, open a door or window when cooking. If the humidity is too high use a dehumidifier. It doesn’t have to run all day. Just 8 hours should help in the basement.
Routine cleaning helps. The most used areas like the kitchen and bathrooms need weekly cleaning. Disinfecting sinks, cleaning toilets, dusting, washing bed sheets and sweeping and mopping floors will keep your home smelling fresh. Choose cleaning products with citrus or lavender scents for an extra boost. If you do have pets, use fabric spray on your upholstery. An air diffuser will also add a nice scent!
Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago
