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How to Get Rid of Odors in Your House for Good
- Clean Results Cleaning Services
- Jun 15
- 4 min read
Nothing disrupts the feeling of a clean home quite like a lingering bad smell. Even when surfaces sparkle, stubborn odors in the air, carpets, or walls can leave your home feeling less than fresh. If you've ever walked in the door and wondered, “What is that smell?”—you’re not alone.
This guide will walk you through how to remove bad smells from house step-by-step. From everyday odor removal tips to when it’s time to call a professional cleaner, we've got your back.
Why Does My House Smell Bad?
Bad odors can sneak up on even the tidiest homeowners. That’s because smells tend to build over time in fabrics, drains, and hidden corners. While candles and sprays may mask the issue for a while, truly getting rid of household odors takes a little strategy—and sometimes elbow grease.
Let’s start by figuring out where those smells are hiding.
Common Sources of Bad Smells in Homes
Here are the usual suspects:
Trash cans and disposals: Food waste, liquid spills, and old trash bags.
Pet odors: Accidents, dander, and fur trapped in furniture and rugs.
Bathrooms: Toilet seals, drains, mildew, and dirty grout.
Laundry rooms: Damp towels, dirty baskets, and neglected washing machines.
Carpets and upholstery: Absorb everyday smells like sweat, smoke, and food.
Fridge and pantry: Forgotten leftovers, expired items, and spills.
Basements or closets: Poor airflow leads to musty or mildew smells.
If you're unsure where the smell is coming from, follow your nose and start with the areas above.
How to Remove Bad Smells from House Step-by-Step
Getting rid of bad smells is about more than just spraying an air freshener. Here’s how to tackle it:
1. Start with a Deep Clean
Odor removal starts with surface cleaning. Wipe down walls, baseboards, inside cabinets, and behind appliances. Pay attention to:
Carpets: Vacuum thoroughly, then sprinkle with baking soda. Let it sit, then vacuum again. For pet odors, use a carpet shampooer or pro steam clean.
Furniture: Wash covers, spot clean fabric, and vacuum under cushions.
Floors: Mop with hot water and vinegar (especially in kitchens and bathrooms).
2. Tackle the Air
Replace your HVAC filters regularly, and consider using an air purifier. Open windows for cross-ventilation whenever possible. Stale air traps indoor odors and spreads them around the house.
3. Clean Drains and Disposals
Drains can smell terrible. Pour a mix of baking soda and vinegar down your kitchen sink and let it fizz. Follow with boiling water. For disposals, grind up lemon peels or use ice cubes and vinegar.
4. Refresh Linens and Soft Surfaces
Wash all blankets, pillows, curtains, and bedding. Even clean items can absorb lingering house smells, especially in homes with pets or smokers.
Natural Deodorizers That Actually Work
Forget the overpowering chemical sprays. These natural solutions help neutralize odors at the source:
Baking soda: Absorbs odors in carpets, refrigerators, shoes, and trash cans.
White vinegar: Cuts through odors on hard surfaces. Mix with water for an all-purpose spray.
Activated charcoal: Works in closets, bathrooms, and near litter boxes.
Lemon and citrus: Fresh-smelling and effective in the kitchen or garbage disposal.
Essential oils: Add to diffusers or cleaning solutions for a refreshing touch.
These solutions work best when paired with regular cleaning habits.
Hidden Areas That Trap Odors
You’ve cleaned the obvious areas—now it’s time to check the places people often forget:
Under furniture and rugs: Spills and pet accidents may have gone unnoticed.
Behind appliances: Food crumbs and dust build-up can cause bad odors.
Laundry appliances: Run your washer’s self-clean cycle or add vinegar and baking soda.
HVAC vents: Dust and debris collect here and circulate smells through your home.
Closets and drawers: Add cedar blocks or open baking soda packets to neutralize bad smells.
If you’ve tried everything and the house smells persist, it might be time to escalate.
When It’s Time to Call a Professional Cleaner
Sometimes, DIY just isn’t enough. If odors keep returning, it could mean:
• Deep-set pet or smoke odors
These smells soak into walls, baseboards, and soft surfaces. Pet odors especially can linger for years without professional odor removal equipment.
• Mold or mildew issues
Musty household odors that don’t respond to cleaning may be caused by hidden water damage or mold. A pro can identify and treat the problem.
• Hosting guests or selling a home
Want your home to impress right away? Let pros like Clean Results handle the details so your home smells as clean as it looks.
Why Clean Results?
At Clean Results, we know that bad smells can make your whole house feel off—no matter how much time you spend cleaning.
Our professional teams are trained to:
Identify the source of persistent bad odors
Use safe, effective products to neutralize them
Deep clean carpets, furniture, bathrooms, and kitchens
Offer honest advice when DIY just won’t cut it
With our help, your home can finally smell as fresh as it should—without masking the problem.
Final Tips
Here are a few parting tips to keep your home smelling fresh:
Keep a regular cleaning schedule (especially for trash, laundry, and pet areas)
Add air-purifying plants like spider plants or peace lilies
Open windows and air out rooms weekly
Wash soft furnishings monthly
Check for moisture issues in basements or crawl spaces
✨ Ready to stop battling odors on your own? Clean Results is here to help. Contact us today for a free estimate and experience Your Clean...Guaranteed.
Learn more about Clean Results here.
More peace!
That Clean Results feeling. You walk through the front door and feel the weight has lifted. Your home is clean. It smells clean. The floor feels clean. And now you can spend the rest of your day relaxing in the beauty of your home and/or doing what you love. Let Clean Results take the pressure off and help you enjoy more of your life.
Clean Results, LLC
3400 E Tuxedo Blvd Bartlesville, OK 74006
Tel: (918) 331-9082
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