Everyone wants their home to smell fresh and pleasant, but sometimes, unpleasant odors can take over. Whether it’s from pet odors, mildew, smoke, or something else, these smells can be difficult to get rid of. In this article, we’ll explore six of the most common unpleasant smells in the home and offer tips on how to eliminate them.

Pet Odors

Pets are a source of joy for many households, but they can also be the source of some unpleasant odors. The most common source of pet odors is urine, which can penetrate carpets, furniture, and even the subflooring if not cleaned up immediately. To eliminate pet odors, start by thoroughly cleaning any areas where your pet has urinated. Use a pet-specific cleaning product, or make your own by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water. Let the solution sit for five to ten minutes, then blot it up with a clean cloth. Repeat until the odor is gone.

Mildew Odors

Mildew is a type of fungus that grows in damp, humid environments, and its musty odor can be hard to get rid of. To eliminate mildew odors, find and eliminate the source of the moisture. This could mean fixing a leak, installing a bathroom fan, or simply opening a window. Once the source of the moisture is taken care of, clean the affected area thoroughly with a mildew-specific cleaner or a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

Smoke Odors

Smoke odors can come from a variety of sources, including cigarettes, fireplaces, and even cooking. To eliminate smoke odors, start by airing out the affected area. Open windows, turn on fans, and run an air purifier to help remove the smoke particles from the air. Then, clean any surfaces that have been affected by the smoke. For surfaces like carpets, curtains, and upholstery, you may need to use a professional smoke odor removal service.

Garbage Odors

Garbage odors can be caused by a variety of things, including spoiled food, dirty diapers, and old trash. To eliminate garbage odors, start by removing the source of the odor and properly disposing of it. Then, clean the affected area thoroughly with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. For particularly stubborn garbage odors, try using a natural odor absorber like baking soda or activated charcoal.

Musty Odors

Musty odors can be caused by a variety of things, including dampness, mold, and mildew. To eliminate musty odors, start by finding and eliminating the source of the dampness. This could mean fixing a leak, installing a dehumidifier, or simply opening a window. Then, clean the affected area thoroughly with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. If you suspect that mold is the source of the musty odor, call a professional mold remediation service.

Chemical Odors

Chemical odors can come from a variety of sources, including cleaning products, paint, and pesticides. To eliminate chemical odors, start by airing out the affected area. Open windows, turn on fans, and run an air purifier to help remove the chemicals from the air. Then, clean any surfaces that have been affected by the chemicals. If you’re using a cleaning product that is causing a chemical odor, try switching to a natural, non-toxic alternative.

In conclusion, unpleasant odors in the home can be caused by a variety of things, but with the right approach, they can be eliminated. Whether it’s pet odors, mildew, smoke, garbage, musty, or chemical odors, the key is to find the source of the problem and clean it thoroughly. In addition to cleaning, using natural odor absorbers, such as baking soda or activated charcoal, can help to get rid of stubborn odors. And if the source of the odor is particularly difficult to identify or eliminate, consider seeking the help of a professional. With these tips, you can have a fresh, pleasant-smelling home in no time.

Home Cleaning with Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most common household items you can find. It is affordable, readily available in supermarkets, and you may not be aware, but also extremely multi-purposed and versatile in its functionality.

Odour Control

While baking soda is conventionally used for actual baking, it is also commonly known for its cleaning and odour-control properties. In cases of emergency, a box of baking soda may come in more useful than you can imagine.

Aside from its obvious use of baking and the increasing use for cleaning, what is baking soda actually useful for?

1. Make homemade deodorant. Combine equal parts baking soda, tea tree oil and cornstarch. Mix well and keep in airtight container. Baking soda will quickly make odours less acidic!
2. Fix musty books. Sprinkle baking soda on damp or musty pages and simply allow time to air out.
3. Make toothpaste. Mix baking soda with a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Simply add peppermint essential oil to make a peppermint toothpaste.
4. Unclog and deodorize drains. Toss 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait for a few minutes then flush down with hot water.
5. Freshen up your laundry. Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner and fresher.
6. Anti-Grease Properties. Add a cup of baking soda to dish soap and let it mix for a few minutes. Use the soap and baking soda combination to combat greasy dishes easily and quickly.

Baking soda is an absolute essential multi-purpose household solution. Be sure to always keep a box of baking soda in case of emergencies.

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by impending household chores that stresses you out and end up nothing gets done? How do our homes get so dirty and messy so quickly? How do we stay on top of things? How do we get motivated to do the housework – especially when we don’t want to or we’d rather sit and watch Netflix? Well, you are not alone.

Here are some tips on getting motivated to get started today.

1. Clear the Clutter first. One of THE BEST ways to get motivated? Clear the clutter! Own less and there’ll be less to keep clean and tidy. It sounds obvious, but it works! Do a good purge every few months and get rid of anything we no longer need or use. Not only will it make you feel better – the housework will get done quicker too because there’ll be less to put away!
2. Start Small, Start Easy. Ask yourself which is going to be the fastest and easiest task, and still enough to make you feel like you have progressed. Start with that. Don’t look at the bigger tasks. You’re doing something, and that’s the first step. You don’t even have to feel guilty about it because you’re taking baby steps. Not only will you feel like you’ve accomplished something, you’ll find the motivation to keep going too!
3. Everything has a home. One of the biggest reasons our homes get so messy is that our things don’t have proper homes. It could be time for you to sort out your storage. Give everything a proper home. Not only will get your housework done in less time, things stay tidier longer too. Clean out those drawers and cupboards and give everything a proper home. If you can’t think of a place for something, chances are you probably don’t need it and you can get rid of it!
4. Music for motivation. Have a cleaning playlist! Make it full of upbeat songs that you can’t help but dance to and which puts you in a really good mood. It gets you motivated to get the housework done, and you get a workout at the same time – so it’s a win-win!