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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here's your ultimate guide to deep-cleaning your home for spring
Spring is officially here, presenting the perfect opportunity to finally tackle those bigger cleaning projects you've been putting off all year. A deep clean is crucial for keeping dust and other allergens at bay, and when it comes to vents and appliances, can even ward off fires. Imagine how much better it will feel having guests over (or frankly, just breathing) in a sparkling, organized space!"Often, spring cleaning can feel overwhelming, especially when we think everything must be done in one weekend," says Kathy Cohoon, director of operations at Two Maids. "But breaking tasks into smaller steps makes them more manageable and allows you to focus on one thing at a time. With a clear plan, the stress fades, making room for motivation and progress." From tackling hard-to-reach areas (you may be surprised at what grime is lingering) to refreshing your mattress and upholstery (we have just the thing), here's a spring-cleaning checklist of expert-approved tasks, plus the gear you need to get them done. Once your space sparkles, it's time for the fun part — add some candles and other easy upgrades from these guides: How to make your home smell like a luxe hotel How to make your bedroom smell like a dream How to make your bathroom feel like a spa If you're wondering where to begin with your spring cleaning journey, start at the top, says Paul Maielua, assistant director of rooms and housekeeping for the Thompson Savannah hotel. "One piece of advice I always give my housekeeping team is to have a cleaning plan that flows logically," he explains. "I begin with high dusting — vent covers, ledges, and fans — then move on to shelves and furniture." Not only does this step ensure you tackle hard-to-reach (and oft-overlooked) areas that tend to gather dust and dirt, but it prevents you from having to re-clean surfaces like counters and floors later on in the process as a result of debris falling. Like fans and fixtures, your home's air vents and filters are known for collecting dust, allergens and pet hair, which Robin Murphy, a cleaning professional at Maid Brigade and author of Who Likes It Dirty? says can impact air quality and force HVAC systems to work harder." "A clogged filter or dusty vents can lead to inefficient airflow, higher energy bills and more airborne irritants," she explains. "Keeping them clean improves air circulation, reduces allergens and lowers energy costs." If you see gray dust streaks around vents, it's a sign that your air filters are overdue for a change, says Murphy. And as a general rule, "Mark your calendar or set a reminder to replace HVAC filters seasonally or every one to two months if you have pets, allergies and/or live in a high-pollen area." Been a while since you cleaned your curtains? "You don't have to haul out the step stool and wrestle them down every month," says Trish Duarte, cleaning expert and owner of MaidPro franchises in Temecula and Murrieta, Calif. "My go-to trick? Vacuum them with the brush attachment once a month. It's quick, easy and keeps the dust from piling up." Cohoon recommends vacuuming top to bottom to ensure you get everything (FYI, here are our top vacuum picks). Follow up with some spot-cleaning if needed, or for the occasional deeper clean, toss your curtains into the laundry if they're machine-washable. Also, don't forget to clean your shower curtains! Machine-wash them if you can, or spray them with a bleach solution so they don't become a hotspot for mold and mildew. "Regularly cleaning shower heads and sink faucets improves water pressure, prevents bacteria buildup and extends the life of your fixtures," says Murphy. "Hard water deposits can clog tiny openings, reducing efficiency and even affecting water quality. Over time, biofilm and mold can also develop inside the fixture, especially in humid environments." Luckily, a few household essentials (see below) can help clear things up. And don't overlook your garbage disposal. As Murphy says, "It's a workhorse in the kitchen, but built-up grease, food particles and bacteria can create unpleasant odors and sluggish performance." While it's good practice to wipe down spills and toss expired items weekly, Jonathan Shelson, owner of MaidPro franchises in Ontario, Canada, recommends doing a deep-clean on your refrigerator every 3 to 4 months. "Plus, If you've recently had a power outage, spilled something sticky or noticed a persistent odor, it's a good idea to clean your fridge." Shelson recommends soaking shelves and drawers in warm soapy water and wiping them with a non-abrasive pad (we like Scrub Mommy). "Be sure to wipe down seals — the number one spot where mold grows in a fridge — plus hinges and handles. Work your way down, being mindful to use clean rags to not spread contaminants throughout the fridge," he says. "Your mattress collects dust mites, sweat, dead skin cells, and allergens over time, affecting sleep quality and potentially triggering allergies," says Murphy, who recommends using a handheld vacuum or vacuum attachment to remove dust, hair and debris, paying special attention to seams and edges. Then use baking soda to deodorize the mattress and spot-treat any stains (more on this below). Some mattresses should also be rotated every 3 to 6 months to ensure even wear, she says. "A thorough spring cleaning removes built-up debris, neutralizes odors and refreshes your sleeping space, helping you rest easier and extending your mattress's lifespan." Time to show your floors some much-needed TLC. Duarte recommends using a gentle cleaner on hardwoods regularly and getting your carpets professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months. If you have area rugs, try to rotate them every few months to avoid worn patches, especially under furniture, she adds. "Trust me. I saved for what seemed a lifetime for a beautiful wool area rug, and when the carpet cleaner visited, we found wear-pattern stains that never got as clean as the bright white area under the couch. Ouch!" If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
