How to Get Rid of Bad Odors at Home – 8 Effective Methods That Work

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Common sources that cause bad odors in the home
• How to use natural products like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon
• Practical step-by-step methods for different rooms
• When a musty or chemical smell is a warning sign
• Preventive routines that keep your home fresh

Why Is It Important to Remove Bad Odors?

Bad odors aren’t just an aesthetic problem. They can be signs of underlying issues like moisture, mold, or bacterial growth. A musty, chemical, pungent, or earthy smell can be a warning service about moisture damage that needs investigation. At Effektstäd, we often notice the same thing with customers who contact us for help with cleaning. When the smell doesn’t disappear despite thorough cleaning, it’s often about hidden moisture problems or leaking drains that need to be addressed. Book your next home cleaning in Malmö with us at Effektstäd. It’s also important to remember that prolonged exposure to bad odors from mold can affect your health, especially for people with allergies or asthma.

Identify the Source of Bad Odors

Before you start addressing bad odors, you need to understand where they’re coming from. Bad odors can come from many different sources – such as mold, drains, or bad smells from clothes and textiles.

Common Odors and What They Mean

Different smells provide different clues about what’s causing the problem:

• Musty or rancid smell – May indicate mold, especially in damp areas like basements or bathrooms. Mold odor can be described as rancid and pungent, depending on the type and growth conditions.
• Smell of ammonia or urine – Can often be traced to the presence of pets or mice.
• Chemical smell – May originate from wood preservatives and wall paints. Odors in old houses may be due to chemicals used during the construction process.
• Earthy smell – Often linked to soil bacteria or mold. A strong, musty smell may indicate dry rot spreading in the building.

Classic Problem Areas in the Home

After cleaning hundreds of homes in Malmö and surrounding areas, we see the same patterns over and over again. The most common areas for bad odors are:

• The kitchen – Grease stains, residue in the kitchen drain, and the range hood collect odors
• The bathroom – Moisture, leaking floor drains, and mold behind tiles
• The washing machine – Bacteria and detergent residue create a musty smell
• The refrigerator – Old food and bacteria

Bad odors from drains are often due to leaks in floor drains and connections. Check the water traps regularly.

Natural Methods to Remove Bad Odors

Removing bad odors often requires a combination of cleaning, ventilation, and using natural products like vinegar and baking soda. These methods are both effective and environmentally friendly.

Vinegar – Your Best Friend Against Bad Odors

Vinegar is a natural and effective method for removing bad odors from surfaces and the air. It works because the acetic acid neutralizes odor molecules and kills bacteria.

Here’s how to use vinegar:

1. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle
2. Spray on surfaces that smell – let it work for about 10-15 minutes
3. Wipe clean with a soft cloth
4. To clean the air – place bowls of vinegar in the room overnight

Baking Soda Absorbs and Neutralizes

Baking soda works as a natural odor absorber. It’s a natural odor absorber that captures and neutralizes bad smells instead of just masking them.

Here’s how to use baking soda:

• Sprinkle baking soda over carpets and mattresses – let it work for 30 minutes, then vacuum
• Place an open jar of baking soda in the refrigerator to neutralize odors
• Pour 1 dl of baking soda down the drain, followed by hot water to clean the pipes
• Put baking soda in a small bowl in cabinets or wardrobes

Lemon for a Fresh Scent

Lemon and lemon juice have natural properties that can help eliminate bad odors and freshen up the home. Lemon can spread a fresh scent when boiled in water.

Simple tips with lemon:

• Boil lemon slices in water to spread a fresh scent
• Rub half a lemon on cutting boards and countertops to remove odors
• Place lemon slices in the dishwasher during an empty cycle
• Mix lemon juice with baking soda for extra effect against stains and odors

Room by Room – How to Remove Bad Odors

The Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the areas where bad odors accumulate the most. Grease from cooking sticks to the range hood and the smell settles on surfaces.

Steps to remove bad odors in the kitchen:

1. Clean the range hood – remove the filter and let it soak in hot water with dish soap
2. Wipe all surfaces with vinegar and water
3. Pour baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 dl of vinegar – let it work for about 15 minutes
4. Clean the oven with a mixture of baking soda and water
5. Check the refrigerator – throw away old food and wipe clean

Household tip: Oatmeal can absorb bad odors in the refrigerator. Place a small bowl of oatmeal at the back of the refrigerator and replace it every month.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is particularly exposed to moisture and mold, which creates bad odors. Mold is a common cause of bad odors in the home, especially in damp areas like bathrooms.

Address bad odors in the bathroom:

1. Check the floor drain – leaking floor drains are a common cause of bad odors from drains
2. Apply vinegar to tiles and grout – let it work for 10 minutes before rinsing
3. Clean the toilet thoroughly with baking soda and vinegar
4. Ventilate after each shower to reduce moisture
5. Use a dehumidifier if the bathroom is particularly damp

Moisture and mold can be managed with dehumidifiers in damp spaces.

The Washing Machine

A bad odor from the washing machine is often a sign of bacteria and detergent residue. Clean the washing machine regularly to prevent bad odors.

Clean the washing machine in 4 steps:

1. Run an empty cycle at 90 degrees with 2 dl of vinegar
2. Clean the rubber seal around the door with a cloth and vinegar
3. Remove and clean the detergent drawer
4. Leave the door open after washing so the machine can dry

The Refrigerator

Keep the refrigerator clean to prevent bad odors. Old food and bacteria create unpleasant smells.

Maintain the refrigerator:

1. Go through the refrigerator every week – throw away what has expired
2. Wipe all drawers and shelves with hot water and dish soap
3. Place an open jar of baking soda or vinegar in the refrigerator to neutralize odors
4. Clean regularly to keep it fresh

Prevent Bad Odors with the Right Routines

By following the right household tips, you can easily eliminate bad odors and create a fresher home. Regular cleaning prevents bad odors in the home.

Ventilate and Air Out Daily

Airing out and ventilating are important for removing bad odors and creating a fresher home. It’s important to air out rooms to get rid of odors.

Ventilation routines:

• Air out rooms daily to improve air quality
• Open windows for at least 10-15 minutes every day
• Create cross-ventilation to remove stale air
• Use fans in bathrooms and kitchens when needed

Regular Cleaning of Textiles

Clothes and textiles can absorb and emit bad odors if they’re not washed and dried properly. Regular cleaning of textiles like curtains and rugs is important for eliminating odor sources.

Clean textiles regularly:

• Wash curtains and rugs at least twice a year
• Air out pillows and blankets outdoors
• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets before vacuuming
• Wash bed linens every week
• Make sure clothes are completely dry before placing them in wardrobes

Regular cleaning of textiles helps remove bad odors and keeps the home fresh.

Check and Clean Drains

Drains can also cause bad odors if they’re not cleaned regularly or if there are problems with water traps or pipes. Cleaning drains is important for counteracting bad odors.

Maintain the drains:

• Pour hot water down the drains every week
• Use baking soda and vinegar once a month
• Make sure water traps always have water
• Use a small brush to clean grates and drains

When Do You Need Professional Help?

In some cases, regular cleaning isn’t enough to remove bad odors. Professional methods may be necessary in extreme cases of odor problems.

Signs that you need help:

• The odor doesn’t disappear despite regular cleaning
• You suspect moisture damage or mold behind walls
• Strong, musty smell indicating dry rot
• Chemical smell from building materials that can’t be aired out
• Bad odor from drains that isn’t solved with regular cleaning

Ozone treatment can be effective for neutralizing odor molecules in extreme cases. However, this requires professional equipment and knowledge.

Effektstäd helps you with professional cleaning and odor removal in Malmö and surrounding areas. We offer both home cleaning and office cleaning, and can identify the source of bad odors and address the problem thoroughly. Contact us for help with cleaning. We offer various options where you decide how often you want us to clean your home.

Keep things tidy and clean regularly to prevent the buildup of odor sources. Using natural air fresheners like vinegar or baking soda can leave the room fresh between cleanings.