28 Common Habits That May Cause Bad Smells in Your Home

Have you ever walked into your home and smelled something bad? You are not the only one. Many people do things without realizing they cause bad smells in their homes. These smells can make your home feel less nice and cozy.

Finding where the smell comes from is the first step to making your home smell better. Often, the cause is simple daily habits we do without thinking. But with small changes, we can make the air in our homes much fresher.

In this article, we will share 28 common habits that may cause bad smells in your house. We will also give easy tips to help you keep your home clean and smelling good.

We made a video about things in the house that can stink. You can find it at the end of this article, so don’t miss it.

Let’s start and make your home a nicer place to live! And be sure to share this with anyone who should see it!

Using a Dirty Dishwasher

Speaking of dishwashers, they need cleaning as well! Many people think that since dishwashers clean dishes, they also clean themselves. But that’s not true.

Food bits and grease can get trapped in the dishwasher’s filter and other sections, causing bad smells. Clean your dishwasher’s filter often, following the maker’s instructions.

Every month, run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar to keep it fresh. Your dishes will be cleaner, and your kitchen will smell nicer.

Forgetting to Clean the Microwave

Microwaves often get dirty from food splatters and spills that go unseen. These bits of food can dry up, burn, and cause bad smells when you use the microwave next time. Try to clean your microwave after each use or at least once daily.

For hard, dried spills, heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for a few minutes. The steam will loosen the dirt, making it simple to wipe off, and the lemon will give a fresh smell.

Not Cleaning the Oven

An unclean oven can be a major source of bad smells in your kitchen. Grease and food particles left in the oven after cooking can burn the next time you use it, creating unpleasant odors. Try to wipe down your oven after each use, once it’s cool enough to touch. 

For deeper cleaning, use a paste made of baking soda and water, let it sit overnight, then wipe it away. Many modern ovens also have a self-cleaning feature you can use periodically. 

Regular oven maintenance will keep your kitchen smelling fresh and might even improve your cooking results!

Not Emptying Trash Bins Regularly

Leaving trash for a long time is a sure way to bring bad smells into your house. Even if you use strong trash bags, food waste and other garbage can break down and start to smell fast.

Try to take out your trash at least every two days, especially in the kitchen. Doing this can help keep your home smelling clean.

If your trash cans still smell after emptying them, try washing them quickly with soap and water.

Ignoring Refrigerator Clean-Outs

Your refrigerator can become a hidden source of unpleasant odors if not maintained properly. Forgotten leftovers and expired food items can create strong smells over time. Set a regular schedule to clean out your fridge, perhaps once a week or every two weeks. 

Remove any old or spoiled food, and wipe down the shelves with a mixture of warm water and baking soda. This will help neutralize odors and keep your fridge smelling clean. Don’t forget to check those hard-to-reach corners where spills might hide!

Leaving Dirty Dishes in the Sink

Everyone has wanted to leave dirty dishes in the sink after a busy day. But this can cause bad smells. Food bits and grease left on dishes can rot and make strong odors if not cleaned soon.

Try to wash dishes right after using them, or at least rinse them well if you can’t wash them straight away. If you have a dishwasher, fill it during the day and run it before sleeping. Your kitchen will smell much better in the morning, and you’ll begin your day with a clean space.

Letting Food Spoil on the Counter

That beautiful bowl of fruit on your counter can quickly turn into a source of bad smells if not monitored. Overripe fruits and vegetables can start to rot, attracting fruit flies and creating unpleasant odors. 

Check your produce regularly and use or refrigerate items as they ripen. If something does start to go bad, compost it or dispose of it quickly. Consider storing some fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator to extend their life and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.

Neglecting to Take Out the Recycling

Recycling helps the environment, but it can cause bad smells if you’re not careful. Dirty recyclables, especially bottles and cans that had food or drinks, can start to smell as bacteria grow.

Make sure to rinse containers before putting them in your recycling bin. If you can, keep your bin outside or in the garage to stop smells from spreading inside your home. Taking out your recycling often can also help keep odors away.

Failing to Wash Pet Bedding

We care about our pets, but their bedding can start to smell bad if it is not cleaned often. Pet hair, dirt, and oils can gather in beds, causing a strong or unpleasant odor.

Clean your pet’s bedding at least every week, and more if your pet goes outside a lot or loses a lot of hair. Use a pet-safe detergent and try adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash to help get rid of smells.
Your pets will like a clean, fresh bed, and your home will smell nicer too!

Not Cleaning Litter Boxes Frequently

For cat owners, the litter box can be a significant source of household odors if not maintained properly. Litter boxes can produce strong ammonia-like odors if not scooped or cleaned regularly. 

Aim to scoop the litter box at least once a day, and do a complete litter change and box cleaning once a week. Consider using an odor-absorbing litter and placing the litter box in a well-ventilated area. 

Your cats and your nose will thank you for the extra attention to their bathroom area.

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Not Cleaning Your Washing Machine

It may sound strange, but your washing machine needs cleaning as well! Mold and mildew can grow inside, especially in front-load machines, making clothes and the machine smell bad.

Once a month, run a hot wash with no clothes and add a cup of white vinegar or baking soda to clean it. Keep the door open after washing to let the machine dry fully.

This stops mold from growing and keeps your laundry smelling nice and clean.

Skipping Carpet Cleaning

Carpets can hold a lot of dirt, dust, and smells, especially in busy spots. Over time, these can cause bad odors that make the air in your home less fresh.

Vacuum your carpets at least two times a week, focusing more on areas where many people walk. For a deeper clean, think about renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a cleaning service every 6 to 12 months.

Remember to clean up spills or stains right away to stop them from making lasting smells.

Overlooking Upholstery Cleaning

Just like carpets, your sofas and chairs can absorb body oils, sweat, and spills, creating odors over time. Regular vacuuming of your upholstered furniture can help remove surface dirt and odors. For fabric upholstery, use a fabric freshener spray between deep cleanings. 

Leather furniture should be wiped down with a damp cloth and treated with a leather conditioner to prevent odors. Consider having your upholstery professionally cleaned once a year to keep it looking and smelling fresh.

Allowing Drains to Get Clogged

Slow or blocked drains can cause bad smells in your kitchen and bathroom. Food bits, soap residue, and hair can gather in pipes, making water smell bad. To stop this, use drain strainers to catch trash before it goes into the pipes.

Once a week, pour boiling water down your drains to break up buildup. For tough clogs, use baking soda and vinegar, then pour hot water. Taking care of your drains often will keep smells away and avoid expensive plumbing problems.

Burning Food While Cooking

We’ve all had kitchen mishaps that resulted in burnt food. The smell can linger in the air and on surfaces, especially if not addressed quickly. When you burn food, open windows and turn on fans immediately to ventilate the area. 

Place a bowl of white vinegar on the counter to absorb odors. For persistent smells, simmer water with lemon slices and cinnamon sticks on the stove. This will create a pleasant aroma that can help mask any lingering burnt smells.

Using Artificial Air Fresheners Excessively

Air fresheners may look like an easy way to cover bad smells, but using them too much can make your home smell worse. They usually hide odors instead of getting rid of them and can mix with other smells to make an unpleasant, fake scent.

Instead of using air fresheners, try to fix the main cause of bad smells. Use natural options like essential oils, cooking spices on the stove, or opening windows to bring fresh air in. These ways will help your home smell clean and natural.

Forgetting to Clean Curtains and Drapes

Curtains and drapes can absorb cooking smells, smoke, and dust, creating odors that permeate the room. Many people forget to include these items in their regular cleaning routine. Vacuum your curtains and drapes regularly using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. 

Depending on the fabric, wash or dry clean them every 3-6 months. For delicate fabrics, consider professional cleaning. Fresh, clean curtains can make a big difference in how your home smells.

Not Changing Bedding Frequently Enough

Your bedding soaks up body oils, sweat, and dead skin cells, which can cause bad smells if not cleaned often. Try to wash your sheets and pillowcases every week. Comforters and duvet covers can be cleaned once a month.

Remember to wash your pillows too, most can be cleaned in a machine every few months. Use hot water and gentle soap to get rid of bacteria and smells. Washing regularly keeps your bed fresh and helps you sleep better.

Leaving Wet Laundry in the Washer

We’ve all forgotten about a load of laundry in the washer at some point. Wet clothes left too long can develop mildew and a sour smell. Try to move your laundry to the dryer promptly after the wash cycle ends. 

If you forget and notice a musty smell, rewash the load with a cup of white vinegar added to the rinse cycle. To prevent future mishaps, set a timer on your phone when you start a load of laundry.

Not Taking Care of Houseplants

Houseplants can help clean the air, but they can also cause bad smells if not taken care of well. Giving plants too much water can make the soil moldy, and dead leaves can cause a bad odor. Water your plants only when the top inch of soil is dry. Take away any dead leaves right away.

If you see white, fuzzy mold on the soil, scrape it off and let the soil dry before watering again. Healthy plants will help keep your home smelling fresh.

Failing to Deodorize Shoes

Shoes can harbor sweat and bacteria, which produce strong odors if they aren’t cleaned or aired out regularly. After wearing, place shoes in a well-ventilated area to dry out completely. For persistent odors, sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes and let it sit overnight before shaking it out. 

You can also use odor-absorbing insoles or sachets. Rotate your shoes daily to give each pair time to air out between wears. These simple steps will keep your shoes, and your home, smelling fresh.

Smoking Indoors

Smoking inside your home can cause strong smells that are hard to get rid of. Cigarette smoke sticks to furniture, walls, and cloth, making a smell that many people do not like.

If you smoke, try to do it outside. If you cannot, pick a place with good airflow for smoking and use an air cleaner. Cleaning surfaces and fabrics often, along with keeping the air moving, can help reduce the smell of smoking inside your home.

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Ignoring Musty Closets

Closets that aren’t ventilated or are overstuffed can develop a musty smell that affects your clothes and the entire room. To prevent this, leave closet doors open when possible to allow air circulation. 

Use moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packets or activated charcoal to reduce humidity. Clean out your closets regularly, getting rid of items you no longer need. This will create more space for air to circulate and reduce the chances of musty odors developing.

Not Airing Out Your Home Regularly

If your home does not have good airflow, smells can stay inside and make the air feel old and bad. Try to open your windows for at least 15 minutes every day, even when it is cold. This lets fresh air come in and helps get rid of bad air inside.

You can also use fans to help move the air around. If you live where it is damp, using a dehumidifier can help take out extra moisture that causes bad smells.

Storing Food in Open Containers

Strong-smelling foods like onions, garlic, or certain cheeses can spread odors throughout your fridge and kitchen if not properly sealed. Always store these items in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. 

This not only contains odors but also helps keep food fresh longer. For extra odor protection in your fridge, keep an open box of baking soda on a shelf to absorb smells.

Using Damp Towels Repeatedly

Wet towels that are not hung up to dry well can grow mildew, which causes a bad smell. After using a towel, hang it spread out on a towel bar or hook so it can dry all the way.

Do not hang towels on hooks behind doors or in tight spaces where air cannot move. Wash your towels every 3-4 uses with hot water and add a cup of white vinegar during the rinse to help get rid of any smells.

Clean, dry towels will keep your bathroom smelling nice and feeling welcoming.

Letting Mold Grow in the Bathroom

Bathrooms are prime spots for mold growth due to their humid environment. This mold can cause a musty odor that permeates your entire home. To prevent this, make sure to run the exhaust fan during and after showers to reduce moisture. 

Clean your shower curtain, bathtub, and sink regularly with a mold-preventing cleaner. Pay special attention to grout lines, as these can harbor mold. For stubborn mold, a mixture of water and white vinegar can work wonders. 

Keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean with these simple steps.

Ignoring Air Vents and Filters

Your home’s air vents and filters are very important for keeping the air clean, but people often forget to clean them. Dust, dirt, and pet hair can build up in the filters and vents, causing bad smells to spread around the house.

Change your air filters as the maker suggests, usually every 1-3 months. Vacuum your vents often and think about getting your ducts cleaned by a professional if bad smells don’t go away.

Clean vents and filters can make your whole home smell much better.

Let’s Freshen Up!

Now you know what causes those strange smells in your home! Changing these usual habits will make your space smell fresh and nice. Start simple by choosing one or two places to clean this week.

Maybe it’s time to clean your fridge well or wash your curtains at last. As you add these steps to your routine, you will see a big change in how your home smells and feels.

Keep in mind, a nice-smelling home is not just for visitors. It’s about making a cozy, welcoming place where you can relax and feel good. So take a deep breath, get ready, and enjoy the fresh, clean smell you create.

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.