How do you TACTFULLY tell someone that their house smells terrible?

Question

This persons house ALWAYS smells...yes she has a cat....I do not want to be rude but I can't take it anymore!!!!

Answer 1

Say, "Damn it's not the smell it's the burning of my eyes, Jesus Christ what died in here"? That should do it Oh crap wait this is etiquette hang on...

How about, "I say old boy, it is a bit musty in here, is it not?'

Answer 2

There is no truly tactful way to broach this subject. Perhaps if you find out what the smell is you can offer what I call, "stories of me".

If the smell is musty old socks, tell a story about how your brother-in-law always left his old socks out and how you helped your sister search for 2 weeks for the socks and then burned them in front of him. It is a humorous story that doesn't confront the issue directly, but if they can get a clue they should be able to pick up on your hints.

Realize that the sense of smell is totally subjective. Just as we don't (usually) smell our own breath, if someone has lived in a particular stench for a while their nose will not know it.

Perhaps is they are a good friend you can simply go with the direct approach and ask them if they realize their house has a particular odor? I would rather that, than having my house smell all of the time.

Answer 3

You are sure it is the cat? You just tell them in a tactful way, that's how. Something like: You know, your house seems to get really smelly from your cat. OR Did you know that when I come in here I smell a really bad smell from your cat litter box. Do you smell it? Just tell them that it smells because you are doing them a favor. If nothing is done then they are lazy and can't bother to clean the cat litter box.

Answer 4

I would casually mention that opening the windows gives the place an airier ambiance and creates more space and suggest they try it. If it (the smell) is due to a pet mess problem then I'd ask how the litter training is going and suggest some products to help rid the problem but I'd do it in a chatty, friendly way.

Answer 5

Be tactfull. When you come in the door casually say " ______ I 'm not sure if you noticed it or not but it smells like your cat sprayed. I thought I should mention it to you in case the cat hasn't been fixed yet and I know you don't want your furniture to get ruined." Put the onus on the cat not the person.

Answer 6

The next time you're over there, wrinkle your nose when you go in (make sure she sees you) but don't say anything. When she asks, say, "Do you smell cat pee? I just got a HUGE whiff of it and it smells pretty bad." Then go on to talk about something else. That should get the wheels turning in her head.

Answer 7

well there are these melts that you can get
Pretty gifts
you light a teelight candle under it and the heat from the candle makes the scent of either the liquid or possibly melting wax cover the entire house..get a smell she or he likes..and if its a he just tell him.

Answer 8

Start off with, "Can I Be Honest With You?"
I had a dead mouse in my microwave cabinet. I knew I had a stink. but couldn't pin-point it. A Friend walked straight to it. We took MW outside and opened the back and tossed the mouse in the trash. Honesty, can't hurt.!

Answer 9

Thats a tricky one. If the person is a good friend of yours you might just want to come out and tell them. I would rather someone tell me than have all these people over only to have them to leave and talk about how smelly my home is.

Answer 10

As a friendly gift bring over some Yankee Candles.
And just mention how great they can smell.
And make a place cozy and yummy smelling.

Answer 11

Listen, there is NO tactful way--true friends are direct when it comes to body odor & house odors..You have to tell them! Say, "I love you, and I'm sorry--but your house is getting this awful smell that is getting worse & worse--do you think its the cat?''...If she gets offended, she's crazy.
Peace