C.J. Braden • 2 Minute Read
How To Get Rid of Lingering Smells
From time to time, there is a spillage, or sometimes a smell appears from nowhere - and no matter what you do in terms of cleaning, you can’t get it out. It makes having people over for visits uncomfortable, and it is worse when you just can’t seem to mask it, either. Here are a few ways to get rid of those lingering musty smells that you might have hanging around from time to time.
What caused the smell?
This can be tricky because if you aren’t sure what caused the smell, you can get quite frustrated! If you know where it is, it is easier - but you can still take action even when you aren’t sure.
Is the musty smell in my home dangerous?
If you don’t have monoxide detectors, there is always a risk that there could be something harmful in your home. Ensure that you have one and that the batteries are working.
Most often, though, the musty smell isn’t dangerous - it is just annoying. If people in the home develop a cough or seem to be suffering from allergies out of season - this can be an indicator of mold, and you should seek professional help.
We like to naturally clean as much as possible in our home. Here’s a one minute video about our chemical free glass cleaning find via our YouTube channel “Carolyn Braden”:
How To Get Rid of Lingering Smells In The Home
Here are a couple of things that you can do to help remove any musty smells in your house.
If your carpet smells like “dog”, it’s time for cleaning
Carpets
Carpets are notorious for holding on to stains and smells. Even with a daily vacuum, you might not realize that dirt and grime are pushed deep down into the bottom layers. Professional carpet cleaners have the right cleaning tools to get right down into the carpet and remove grime.
Airing out your home can help clear smells
Air
When was the last time you opened all the windows and doors in the house? Sometimes it just needs a really good airing out. Open everything up for a few hours if the weather permits you to do so.
Baking soda helps clear pet odors in your home
Spot treat
There are two ingredients that are amazing at treating odd smells and stains. Vinegar and baking soda. Baking soda soaks up smells and can be sprinkled on, then vacuumed up after a while. You can add baking soda and vinegar to a spray bottle for spot cleaning purposes. This combination works wonders on pet accident residual odors!
Humidifier
If you have dampness in the house, that will cause some smells to be present. A dehumidifier will help to dry out the house, and that can reduce the chances of bacteria and germs increasing.
Baking soda can naturally clean your washing machine
Washing Machine
Often the washing machine can be a source of smells; it needs a good clean at least once a month. They are hotbeds for mold and mildew. Give the drum a good clean, and run a cycle with baking soda to reduce smells.
Boiled lemon peels can naturally clear lingering smells
Lemon
Boil some lemon peel on the stove with some water for about 20 minutes; lemon can help to freshen up the smell of the home and neutralize smells.
Getting rid of lingering smells can take a bit of effort, but once it’s done, stay on top of airing the house out, avoid hanging clothes on radiators and keep a box of baking soda nearby.
Need more tips? We know you’ll love this article too: What's Making Your House Sick? + 4 Changes You Should Make Now.
How do you like to remove smells from your home? Leave your ideas in the comment section below!
C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.