The house smells, but we clean all the time?!?

Question

We live in a double wide and we clean all the time, wash curtains, etc. The house still smells horrible. We haven't lived here long and alot of people say the lady that owned it before us didn't take good care of it. Are there any just simple methods for a clean smelling house? Maybe some fragrance sprays or poppuriti (sp?)I just want that kind of pleasant smelling house that smells like home LOL

Also, the tile in my bathroom has stains on it from the previous owner, I have used clorox, mopped several times and can't get them out!!! How can I?

Thanks a million! :)

Answer 1

Oh yeah, I'm agreeing with multiple responses already.

I've lived in multiple double-wides before and the same problem you're experiencing was present in all of them. Unless you're the first person to live in one (or you luck out and end up with clean-freaks before you), it's going to smell weird.

You need to strip out the carpet and replace that. Carpets are one of the most scent and bacteria-hogging things that exist. Fluid spilled in carpets (including pet "deposits") can seep into the carpet, and under the lining, but never end up drying because of the way that carpet/padding holds out air. I've pulled up carpet in numerous places only to find large "water" stains on the flooring below as well as dirty and horrible odors. Sometimes simply cleaning the carpet or vacuuming is not enough.

It could be other things as well - including a ruptured septic line (if it smells like raw .... - heh), it could be a clog in the drain, it could be mildew/mold, it could be lots of things - and it could even be a combination of several.

You mentioned that you want something simple (I assume that this means that you'd prefer not to have to rip up the carpet and replace it), you may need to go to a local hardware store or supermarket and rent a carpet cleaner. They don't cost that much and they can make a significant impact on nasty carpets. Sometimes this suffices enough. Something else that might help is if you take a good, strong cleaning agency and scrub the crap out of your walls (if you use bleach, be sure to wear a mask). I would suggest, personally, something like liquid lysol concentrate. Your home is going to smell like a hospital for a little while, but that stuff will take off just about anything. Scents can get stuck on there (and then possibly painted or paneled over) and the smell will just stay.

Also, as others have suggested, try opening your windows and letting some fresh air blow through.

Beyond this, you've always got candles, scented oils (with oil burner) and Febreeze. Febreeze can definitely make an impact on smells. If you want something that's going to "stay" in the house and last a long time, you may want to look at scented oils (like the ones at Bath and Body Works). I've been using these for a long time now and they make your home smell wonderful, it doesn't take much, the overall cost to use is cheap (they last a long time), and even when you leave the house and come back (when the oil isn't burning), it still leaves a good smell in the house. Good candles tend to be more expensive and more of a fire hazard.

Now, about the stains in your bathroom - these could be anything, and if you've scrubbed and mopped and they're still not coming out, you might need to do something like paint over them if they are bothering you. One thing you might try before painting, is CLR. It's a spray solvent that's in a silver container. CLR will take a lot of things off that other cleaners won't (especially if you let it soak on the spot for a while)- but it's a little on the expensive side (compared to other cleaners) and it's not the safest stuff in the world to breathe. If you use it, be sure to allow good ventilation.

Good luck! =)

Answer 2

I need to know what kind of smell it is, because there are different methods to get rid of different smells. Does it smell like mold, mildew or maybe like the last owner had 6000 cats? To clean your grout; Fill an empty spray bottle with bleach and water (1 part bleach and 1 part water). Just before retiring in the evening, after everyone is through using the room, quickly spray the grout with this mixture. The mold will disappear within 1 - 2 weeks. To keep the mold from returning, spray the grout with this solution 1 - 2 times per week.

Answer 3

I open my windows, even in the winter. Sometimes good old fresh air circulating through the house does wonders. Dress warm, turn off the heat, if it is not too cold, then open up all the windows for at least an hour if you can. It may be an old fashion way to clean, but, the air can do wonders.
Not sure about the stains on the tiles, Clorox is pretty strong. Have you tried one of steam cleaners, I have one, and have used it on tile/grout stain, it took a bit of "elbow grease" but, it finally worked. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Air cirulation is best for your issue, but not the air conditioner! Fresh air from outside. I personally swear by Febreeze products, but you have to choose the RIGHT scent for your "surrounding smells"... 1. You have dogs, they smell right? Put them/keep them outside as much as possible. Discourage thier playing on the furniture and carpet Get NATURES MIRACLE powder for carpet, and pet spray. Bursh/bathe them often, if you decide not to kik them out. PS: If you are sensitive, please open a few windows... For the HOUSE, in general, try NOT to use frilly scents. Stick to citrus or fresh (think Pinesol or Clorox lemon...). Those are natural scents that aid in eliminating stale or unfresh odors. Not to mention its better than inhaling "flower bouquet" for the rest of the day, HA! After a through cleaning, including vaccum and wipe-downs, it should be smelling a bit better. 2.Now, look around you...is there anything left unclen? Poeple are not aware of how dust and air particles contribute to a smelly house. Dusting and wiping is important, especially w/pets. Overtime, dust can bring on a wat I call "air-vent smell", cuza how most a/c filters smell after a long time - dusty! Also, a clean house includes furniture and clothing - those are other sources of funk! You are almost finished! The house is clean and dust free, and the dogs are outside (hopefully). Now enhance your new clean smell with a scent you wouldnt mind for a while. Start with a oil/liquid plug-in port. I would put one nearest the door (but outta sight), in the kitchen, and one behind your bed. The heat created while plugged in will activate the oil and it will begin to float around in a day or so. For an immediate smell, look to Febreeze, it REALLY does work. 3. I dont recommend iol burners, candles, or incense, cuza your pets and they are fire hazards. But if you do, get you some Butt Naked, Sex on the BEach, or Blacc Love oil/incense and you will be DROWNING in the light yet sultry scents of Mother Africa! I hope all I have listed helps. These are things I have learend and taught myself over the years. Since apt. #1, i have recieved complents on how good it smells. i attribute it to the things above, as well as: a. Candles (unlit) just sitting around, the expensive REAL kind b. Suavetel fabric softener (the smell permiates thru my closet!) c. Weekly washing of covers and blankets PS: I smoke, so if I can do, you can do it!!!!! FIERCE_09

Answer 5

Use peroxide on the tiles (the cheap stuff, from Walgreens)
When washing down the walls or floors, use 1 cup of baking soda in a couple of gallons of water.
Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet (if there is carpet) leave it overnite and vacuum in the morning. It takes all smells out.
Pot-pouri and fragrances just don't work for deodorizing, they just cover up the stench temporarily.

Answer 6

I would try wiping down the walls, surfaces, etc., with baking soda, water and put dryer sheets in all the trash cans around the house, sprinkle baking soda's carpet and room odor eliminator on all carpets and cloth furniture. . . let sit overnight and vacuum. Get some glade plug-ins or any room air freshener and Good Luck!

Answer 7

Maybe somethings in there like a dead rat/mouse or who knows just something thats beginning to rot cause if you do all you do it shouldn't smell. Whenever my room smells from the little trashbin I keep in there I air out the room. So maybe air out the house for a few hours besides its winter so it should air faster.

Answer 8

paint the tiles with tile paint.

look for the source of the smell. only way is follow your nose. wooden floor boards soak up odours.
check for dead cats under floor etc.
dead birds in chimney flue.
look for water spills under kitchen units and rotting food too.
check drains for correct water traps.

i wouldnt try and mask the smell just yet. not until you have ellimnatd everything .

good luck

Answer 9

Hire a profesional cleaner and tell them the only thing you want is for them to do the inital stain remover on the bathroom floors and to show you how to get the house to smell better.

Answer 10

A trailer home probably soaked up the smells from the previous owner into the walls. Your probably only going to get rid of it by burning it. If it was a regular house maybe you could change the sheetrock or tiles, but I don't think a trailer would be worth it.