What is the best way to get rid of smells in my house?

Question

What is the best way to rid my house of any kind of smell? It's in the air and it's in my basement and there is only 2 windows too.

Answer 1

You need to locate the source. I had a dead mouse in the back of a kitchen cabinet once that was hard to find and after the remains were removed, it took a lot of household cleansers to get rid of the lingering odor. If it's mold, it's probably in the flooring, insulation, walls, or carpeting. If its in the bathroom, you may need flooring replaced. If children are around, they tend to leave things they don't like to eat in hidden places where they rot. Check for things like rotten potatoes hidden in a pantry or cabinet. If you have natural gas, it may mean you have a leak and you can tell by the scent near exposed pipes. Usually odors are caused by biological breakdowns.

Answer 2

If it is a musty smell, you should invest in a dehumidifier. Be warned, however, the receptacle may need to be changed daily and it isn't a very quiet machine, even if you buy a high quality one.

Depending on the smell, you could try using Febreeze (sp?). It's more of a quick fix than anything else.

If the smell isn't musty, and given the season, it could also be a mouse or other rodent that died within your walls. Check your vents for the smell. If it is a mouse, you'll probably have to wait it out, but the smell should dissipate within 14 days.

Other general options are to steam clean your carpet, take out all your trash, and clean out your basement. You may find the source of the smell.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Only two windows in the entire house? Sounds like a basic ventilation problem.

Everything has an odor. Some are pleasant and acceptable, and some "stink" and are unacceptable. After you eliminate the cause of the unacceptable odors, purge the air by venting the house.

Answer 4

Try and get as much fresh air in there as you can. I've had really good luck in the past with carpet powders to get rid of ordors. But the best thing would probably be to find out where it's coming from!

Answer 5

Well start off by cleaning up the place, then fill a pot with coal in every room as it sucks in the nasty smells in the room. After that invest in some air freshners, scented candles. \

Also try to let in some fresh air every now and then.

Answer 6

Use fa breeze spray,,,or light a good smelling candle,,or buy an air purifyer,, I have a musty smell in the basement at times and an dehumidifyer works well ...GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

use cleaning products ith good smells. try the air freshenrs that spray every 15 min or half hour. or in the summer leave the windows open. Also try Febreeze (that always works.)

Answer 8

First of all, clean it. Then if the smell comes from the basement and is musty you really need to purchase a dehumidifier.

Answer 9

First you eliminate the odor: Here is a website with great tips! http://www.doityourself.com/stry/householdodors

I use baking soda to eliminate odors and citrus fruit in my garbage disposal. Also cleaning your walls helps too especially if your house is an older home.

After the odors are gone - then keep your place smelling great with candles, plug in's or candles.

Answer 10

the 7-day fabreeze challenge does work.

where ever the origin of your oder is, spray there once a day everyday and your house will smell better.

i did the challenge in my car. i'm a soccer player and i take my dog everywhere. between the two, my car gets pretty bad. i spray some everyday, and it works really well.

citrus is my favorite scent.