Which areas to check first if there is a strange smell in the house

Someone wants a fresh, slightly citrus aroma to reign at home, like in the corridors of a luxury hotel. And someone is thinking about giving their apartment an individual, special smell, and even studying how to do it. Unfortunately, reality always interferes with grandiose plans. In this case, in the form of strange odors that accompany a vibrant life. If these have appeared in your house, first of all, you should pay attention to several places.

1. Bin

The advice seems obvious, after all, all trash smells. But the point is not only that it must be thrown away regularly. Excess liquid and crumbs can accumulate in the bucket, which can cause a bad smell that remains even after you take out the trash.

To clean a bucket, home cleaning company manager Abe Navas recommends spraying it with diluted bleach, letting it sit for a couple of hours, then rinsing it thoroughly with soap and water.

Professional space organizer Jennifer Snyder suggests another approach: set aside a special bucket for especially dirty and smelly garbage and take it out more often.

2. Pet mats and bowls

Cats and dogs are definitely family members just like everyone else. However, pets are much more likely to become a source of unpleasant odor.

As animals shed and hair grows, so does bacteria, says Abe Navas. To avoid this, bathe your pet regularly and wash his bedding and bowls every week with soap and water (no harsh chemicals!). Also should be more vacuum places where the most wool is collected. These are sofas and beds, as well as the floor under them.

3. Dirty laundry basket

It should not be kept in the bathroom, but it is better to put it in the bedroom or in the back closet. At a certain humidity, bacteria begin to develop more actively, which is why an unpleasant odor occurs. When you have dirty and damp clothes that need to be washed, it is worth doing it right away, and not throwing them in the basket.

4. Linens

Among the most implacable enemies of a pleasant aroma in the house is the sheet. Over time it soaks after and other natural secretions of the body, covered with dust and dirt.

Jennifer Snyder advises washing your sheets every week if you shower in the morning, or every two weeks if you shower in the evening before bed.

5. Washing machine

Mold can form in appliances that are constantly in contact with water, and this is an ideal environment for malodorous bacteria. Every time you open and close the washing machine door, the moisture from the next wash cycle stays inside. The same goes for the powder container, another favorite spot for mold.

To avoid trouble, always leave the machine door and the powder container open for at least a few hours after the next wash. And if you did find mold, mix white vinegar with baking soda in equal proportions and wipe the affected areas.

6. Dishwasher

She, like washing, is an excellent place for the formation of mold and unpleasant odors. Especially considering that Dishwasher deals with bits of food that remain on used plates.

Do not forget to regularly clean the inside of the appliance and run the turbo drying mode without dishes. If the baskets inside the machine begin to get moldy, soak them in a solution of diluted bleach and warm water, leave for 30 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.

7. waste shredder

The best way to make sure it doesn't become a source of bad odor is to clean it regularly. This can be done by grinding a few thin strips of peel in the utilizer lemon, lime or orange. They will not only clean the device, but also give it a pleasant citrus aroma.

8. New furniture

Perhaps you think that nothing compares to the smell of new furniture - it's the magical smell of fresh packaging and untouched things. However, it can pose health risks.

In fact, volatile organic compounds give the specific smell of furniture. United States Environmental Protection Agency notesVolatile Organic Compounds’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality / EPAthat they can cause headaches, irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and even harm the liver and kidneys.

The most effective way to get rid of volatile compounds is to use air purifier with charcoal filter. If the strong smell of new furniture persists for more than a month, you should consider returning the purchase.