How to Get Rid of Household Smells for Good

Persistent household smells are frustrating because air fresheners only mask them. The odour returns the moment the spray fades. To get rid of a smell for good, you have to find and remove the source, then neutralise what is left. Here is how to do both.

Track down the source

A smell is a symptom, so before you clean anything, follow your nose around the room and check the usual culprits.

• Bins and food waste: old liquid pools at the bottom of the bin.
• Drains and plugholes: trapped grease and hair feed bacteria.
• Damp fabrics: forgotten laundry, gym kit, wet towels and pet bedding.
• The fridge: spills and out-of-date food.
• Hidden spots: under the sofa, behind the cooker, or food spilt near a warm radiator.

Neutralise, do not mask

Once the source is gone, treat what is left with cheap kitchen-cupboard items that absorb or break down odour molecules rather than covering them.

• Bicarbonate of soda: leave an open pot in the fridge, or sprinkle it on carpets, wait 20 minutes, then vacuum.
• White vinegar: a bowl left out overnight clears cooking and smoke smells. Diluted 1:1 with water, it also cleans surfaces.
• Activated charcoal: ideal for wardrobes, cars and small rooms that stay musty.

Deal with the big three

Kitchen

Wash the bin inside and out, then dry it before adding a new liner. Pour a kettle of hot water with a spoon of bicarb down the drain weekly. Wipe the cooker, hob and extractor, where burnt-on grease turns rancid.

Bathroom

Clear plugholes, wash bath mats and towels, and run the extractor fan for ten minutes after a shower to stop the damp, musty smell that mould causes.

Soft furnishings and carpets

Fabric holds odour longer than any hard surface. Wash covers and throws, air the room, and treat carpets with bicarb. Pet owners should do this weekly.

Keep fresh air moving

Ventilation is the most underrated deodoriser. Open windows on opposite sides of the home for ten minutes a day to flush out stale air. Dry laundry outdoors or in a well-aired room, never on a radiator in a closed space, which raises humidity and feeds mould.

When the smell will not shift

If you have removed the source and the smell lingers, it is usually soaked into carpets, upholstery or grout and needs a proper deep clean. A thorough top-to-bottom clean resets the whole home. If you would rather not spend a weekend on it, you can book a GlowSpark cleaner from £19 an hour to do the hard work for you.

Ready for a home that smells clean without a single air freshener? Book a GlowSpark cleaner today, vetted.