13-05-2025
How to get rid of bad smells in your home for good, according to experts
One of the world's worst smells comes from the corpse flower. The rare tropical plant attracts flies with the putrid stench of rotting flesh. Only slightly less gross: a recent mystery odor in my apartment. How could it be? My home typically smells like a mix of night-blooming jasmine, printer toner and locally sourced cortisol. But now the top note was fried fish.
Luckily, I've spent much of my career writing about home dilemmas — and have access to sparkling expert advice — so figuring out how to get rid of bad smells in my house was just a matter of talking to the right people. I asked cleaning pros: Could I, say, spray some air freshener and continue watching Andor? A gentle mist of chemicals and Diego Luna to purify my galaxy?
Bad idea, says Logan Taylor, founder of Dazzle Cleaning Company. 'Attempting to cover a bad smell with a good one almost never works,' he warns. The only solution to indoor odors and musty smells: Find, then eliminate. Let's sniff out common culprits, plus products that banish the funk. But first, open a window.
Related: Secrets to a good-smelling entryway | How to make your house smell good all the time
A cartoon toucan named Sam once gave me a great tip. 'Follow your nose," he said. "It always knows!' Does your nose lead to the kitchen sink even though it looks clean? If so, the stink may be in your drain. Time for an enzyme-based cleaner. 'Enzymes gobble up whatever is sticking to the drain and pipes causing the smell,' says Taylor.
As you read this, bits of ancient take-out meals are decomposing in your garbage disposal. Sadly, you're gonna have to clean it. (Turn off the power first, please!) Robin Murphy, president of home cleaning service Maid Brigade, uses a scouring stone, then after the area dries, she reaches for diatomaceous earth. The pest control standby has a secret superpower: It absorbs lingering smells and moisture.
How about sloshing buckets of vinegar into the disposal like a deranged Fantasia broomstick? Don't do that. Calmly prep ice cubes made of distilled white vinegar and sliced up lemon. (Remove the peels — they aren't great for disposals.) After they're frozen, turn the disposal back on and grind a few cubes. 'This deodorizes, freshens, and helps maintain the blades,' notes Murphy. A super-fast alternative: Plain ice cubes and a splash of lemon juice.
Trash stinks, but scented trash bags often smell worse. Instead, Murphy suggests popping a reusable activated charcoal odor absorber in the bin. Or, sprinkle unscented clay kitty litter or coffee grounds at the bottom of your trash can, where they will suck up moisture and musty odors. "Coffee grounds are super porous and absorb bad smells,' says Taylor. 'The yummy coffee scent is just a bonus!' Let the grounds dry first, then put a tablespoon or two into a mesh bag or old (clean) sock and place at the bottom of your bin.
If the bin still smells deeply offensive, 'I'd pop that puppy in the bathtub and give it a full scrub down,' said Taylor. Hot, soapy water followed by baking soda did the trick for my trash can (which reeked of fried Atlantic pollock). But check your particular bin's care instructions before cleaning — especially for fancy models.
A common mistake when your fridge stinks is placing an odor absorber (like baking soda) in there and hoping for the best. 'If spills, spoiled food, or mold remain, the odor will persist,' says Murphy. You must start by thoroughly cleaning your fridge. After that, a bowl of baking soda, coffee grounds or even plain, dry oatmeal can help keep food smells away.
Sitting surrounded by stench? Yuck — but if you notice bad odors lingering even after addressing all the above areas, your sofa or other upholstered furniture may be to blame. Pets, cigarette smoke and moisture can all cause musty smells in upholstery, but that doesn't mean you need to kick your couch to the curb.
Start the cleaning process by vacuuming: Remove the cushions and use a crevice tool to get into every nook and cranny of the frame. Then, vacuum the cushions and pillows themselves, paying special attention to the seams. (For extra odor-fighting power, sprinkle baking soda over the upholstery and let it sit for about 30 minutes before vacuuming.) If you can wash your cushion covers, go for it; otherwise consider a steam cleaner. And don't underestimate the power of sunlight, which naturally kills bacteria. An hour outside can totally refresh couch cushions. Just don't leave them in direct sun for too long or the fabric could fade.
We hate to break it to you, but if you tend to sleep hot, your sweat may be giving your mattress a musty odor. Accidents and pets can also create a funk that can be hard to remove, especially because you can't exactly toss your mattress into the washing machine. You can treat it much like upholstery — sprinkle with baking soda, then vacuum, or spot treat if needed (just make sure not to soak the fabric, or you could end up with a mattress that also smells of mildew. It's a vicious cycle!). If you don't have an upholstery cleaner, a garment steamer can come in handy for giving your mattress a quick refresh.
For extra deodorizing, lightly spritz the mattress with one part distilled white vinegar to one part water and let air dry. You can mix in a few drops of essential oils to help counteract the vinegary smell, which may be strong at first — but rest assured, will fade. Once your cleaning mission is complete, use a machine-washable mattress cover to protect your investment long-term from stench and stains.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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