Do you smell that? What is that??
When an unpleasant or merely unfamiliar smell wafts through your home, you’re likely to check a few obvious spots. Does the trash need to go out? Was food left out? Has the toilet backed up? If the usual suspects aren’t the source, there are 17 other places to look — or smell, as the case may be.
Floor drains
Ethan Wyborn, the owner and director of Born Plumbing, says floor drains — in basements, garages, laundry rooms and bathrooms — are often a source of unpleasant odors. “Floor drains can be covered and dry, and sewage gases can pass through the drain and into the building. The odors can be eliminated by pouring water down the drain.”
Household fabrics
Curtains, dog beds and throw blankets are just some of the household fabrics that aren’t washed as often as they should be. “Odors cling to fabrics, especially those with oils, like upholstery exposed to cooking sprays or curtains exposed to cigarette or cigar smoke,” says Ahmed Mezil, a cleaning professional and CEO of Hellamaid. “These fabrics hold on to smells and give off odors, especially if they are not regularly cleaned.”
Entryway doormats, shoe racks and baskets
Shoes have a reputation for being smelly, and they track in odors from outside. “Your shoes keep an invisible record of all the places you stepped throughout the day,” says Kelly Whitehead, a research manager of germ protection microbiology and virology at Lysol. “Shoes can bring home a surprising collection of smell-causing residues that end up lingering on mats, trays and shoe racks.”
Hot-water heaters
A rotten-egg odor typically indicates a problem with the hot-water system. “This may be caused by bacteria breaking down the heater anode rod and releasing hydrogen sulfide,” Wyborn says. “This can be verified by a plumbing contractor who may also recommend a treatment to correct the problem or replace the anode rod.”
Air-conditioning units
If you notice a musty or mildewy smell when the air conditioning is in use, “you’re probably dealing with something called dirty sock syndrome,” says Tammy Crosby, CEO and editor in chief of the House Designers. “It happens when you have a damp heat pump or AC unit, where moisture and organic debris on the evaporator coil can cause mold and bacterial growth. The smell of this biofilm is obviously unpleasant, and it can also make other things in your house smell damp.” Clean and maintain the units every one to three months.
Garbage cans, especially in the kitchen
If you’ve taken the trash out but there’s still a garbage-y smell, the garbage can itself may be to blame. “Over time, small drips, crumbs and food residue can collect on the inside of garbage cans, under the lid and around the rim,” Whitehead says. “Combined with moisture, these organic materials can become an ideal food source for odor-causing bacteria.” Keep trash cans odor free by wiping down the outside and lid with a premoistened disinfectant wipe, using a disinfecting spray on the inside of the trash can before you put in a new bag, and washing them periodically with soap and water.
Vent hood filter
Your vent hood is probably the problem if you’re smelling stale cooking oil. “The vent hood plays a crucial role in protecting your indoor air quality, and that means it gets dirty and needs to be maintained,” Crosby says. “Trapped grease is full of smells that you’d rather not keep around.”
Sink drains
When biofilms build up in a kitchen sink drain, smells follow. “Food scraps, grease, moisture and soap residue can accumulate deep inside the drain,” Whitehead says. To reduce buildup, scrape food into the trash or compost before rinsing dishes, and clean the sink regularly.
In bathroom sinks, Wyborn says, “soap scum and other impurities can collect in the small opening found in the top of a sink,” called the sink overflow. “If the sink is clean, the overflow may be the source of bad odors.” Leaks are another source of odors. “The presence of molds and mildews in the cabinet under a sink may be the result of a slowly leaking sink,” Wyborn says. “Water may not be visible, but mildew and musty odors can be present.”
Floor vents
Liquid accidents can trickle into floor vents — especially if you have pets. “Pets can urinate near floor vents,” Mezil says. “Other odors may come from dust and debris that is trapped around the vents.”
Washing machine
If your laundry comes out of the wash smelling less than fresh, or there’s a persistent mildew smell around your laundry room, the washer is most likely to blame. “Moist areas inside washing machines have been scientifically shown to harbor high levels of bacteria and biofilms that contribute to persistent odors,” Whitehead says. Run your washing machine’s cleaning cycle regularly, leave the lid or door open between uses, and avoid leaving wet laundry sitting in the machine.
Fireplace
“A damp, smoky smell in your home when the fireplace is not in use comes from the fireplace and chimney flue,” says Jonathan Carcone, a principal at 4 Brothers Buy Houses. “The creosote and soot that has built up in your chimney acts as a damp sponge when there is humid weather and then gives off a strong odor.” To eliminate it, have your chimney cleaned by a sweep, make sure the chimney cap is in place, and close the damper when not in use.
Shower curtains and stalls
Whitehead calls shower curtains and stalls “a moisture hotspot for mildew and musty odors” because of the high humidity that causes moisture to linger on curtains, grout, caulk and shower walls. Improve airflow by running bathroom fans and opening windows, reduce moisture by drying shower walls and pulling shower curtains closed after each use, and launder the shower curtain and liner once a month.
Musty towels
“Bunched-up wet towels hanging for days in a moist environment are odor magnets,” Whitehead says. “Hang towels so air can circulate freely, wash them regularly, and don’t let damp towels linger. Keeping towels dry is one of the easiest ways to stop bathroom odors before they start.”
Gaskets, filters and drip pans
Filters and door gaskets in major household appliances can trap moisture, detergent and food, leading to odors. “A dishwasher can give the illusion that it is clean, but it can actually house rotting food particles on its bottom rack,” Mezil says. “Musty odors in washing machines are common and are caused by mold and mildew growing in the washing machine’s rubber gaskets and other seals.” Refrigerator gaskets, too, can harbor moisture and food particles that lend an unpleasant odor, as can its drip pan.
Bath fan and vents
“The cover to your bath fan should be washed periodically as mildew and dust can penetrate and give off musty smells,” Carcone says. “The housing for the fan should also be cleaned periodically. Run the fan for 20 minutes after each use and make sure it is venting outside of your home and not into the attic.”
Soft flooring
Carpets and rugs need to be deep-cleaned to remove embedded odors that vacuuming alone can’t touch. “Even regular vacuuming won’t remove smells from cooking, stinky pets or things tracked in from footwear worn outside,” Crosby says. “Factor in spills and other accidents, and your carpets and rugs can harbor a lot of unpleasant smells.” The vacuum, too, may be the source of the smell. “Dust and other particulates create bad odors over time,” Wyborn says. “Make sure the dust collection chamber is emptied and washed. Let everything dry before reusing the vacuum.”
Aging porous materials
In older homes, in particular, “carpeting, upholstery, aged drywall and wood paneling can retain and off-gas odors they’ve absorbed through moisture and airborne particles over the years,” says Miles Smith, an architect and strategy manager at Graphisoft. “Additionally, some of the synthetics used to build your home may break down over time. Glues can decay, linoleum and iron can oxidize, and paints can sour and emit volatile organic compounds over time.”
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