How to deodorise your house like a pro

Removing and managing house odours is vital to keeping your home habitable. As everyday activities can result in strong odours over time, it’s essential to know how to deodorise your house. 

Read on to learn how you can eliminate odours in your home. We’ve also included some hacks on deodorising your home with natural ingredients you can find lying around! 

Why should you remove house odours?

The obvious reason for getting rid of house smells is that they’re off-putting and can make being at home, well, unpleasant. Bad smells also make your home less conducive to having guests over. Not to mention, your neighbours can complain about strong odours! 

Do note that, in some cases, house odours may be signs of unseen health or safety risks – all the more reason to investigate and remove them.   

In minor cases, these odours can go away with a deodorising spray and opening your windows, but these methods don’t always work. 

How to remove odours at home

Using air fresheners or deodorisers straight away is a common mistake homeowners or property managers make when deodorising their homes. This only masks the unpleasant smell and makes it a recurring problem. 

You must first neutralise odours by removing their sources, then use the right fragrance-producing substances. 

For most unpleasant everyday smells, you can do these odour-removing steps:

1. Find and remove the source

There’s no better way to look for the source of a smell than by sniffing around yourself. Look for the place where the odour is most intense. 

If the source of the stink is a small item, sweep it up with a dustpan and broom or, while wearing disposable gloves, pick it up and place it in a trash bag. Don’t hesitate to double up on the trash bag if the smell is particularly strong; you can also use a deodorising spray on the smelly item before closing the bag.

But suppose the odour is coming from behind a wall, floorboards or even in your ceiling. In that case, you may have to call in a handyperson to cut a way through to get to the source and have them do the appropriate repairs afterwards. You may also have to book an odour control service to tackle the problem. 

2. Clean and disinfect the area

Once you’ve removed the source of a bad smell, don’t forget to clean and disinfect the area. Any residue left by the source of the smell can leave odour-causing bacteria. The smell may linger or, worse, recur after sticking to the walls and floors. Clean the area thoroughly with detergent and warm water, then disinfect it with diluted bleach.

3. Clean the carpet

Vacuuming your carpets isn’t enough to keep them clean and odour-free. Mix 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water in a bucket, and dampen a cloth. Use the cloth to dab the cleaning mixture into your carpet, rinse, and then let the carpet dry.

4. Clean and ventilate the house

Cleaning and dusting your home once a week is a good way to get the musty smell out of a bedroom or any other room in your house. Besides cleaning, ensuring that each area gets proper ventilation also gets the “old smell” out of a home. Ventilation is vital, as musty smells result from stale, stagnant air combined with moisture that produces mould and mildew.

5. Clean out the litter box often

Don’t neglect your precious kitty’s litter box – few things are as unpleasant as the smell of a full litter box! The only way to get this poop smell out of a room is to dispose of the used kitty litter, then clean out and disinfect the litter box before putting in a new batch. You may also want to clean out any dog or cat beds you keep indoors if they’re beginning to reek.  

How to deodorise your home naturally

Once you’ve removed any sources and traces of foul odours, the next step is to use air fresheners or deodorisers to make your home smell terrific. 

Did you know you can use essential oils for deodorising homes? You can even use a few common household items – and they won’t cost you much! Here are some natural home deodorisers you probably have on hand.

1. Simmer pot air freshener

Make a simmer pot air freshener to spread a wonderful fragrance throughout your home. 

You’ll need the following: 

• Lemon slices

• Orange slices

• 4 cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks 

The only equipment you need to simmer the pot is your kitchen stove burner set to low. Toss the ingredients into the pot halfway full of water. Then, leave this pot to simmer all day. 

You can also use a portable camping stove if you want the scent to emanate from another area – just don’t leave the simmer pot unattended in any case. 

2. Vinegar

Pure white vinegar is ironic in that it’s pungent in itself, but it’s still one of the best ways of eliminating odours. Fortunately, vinegar’s pungent scent goes away after a while. 

You can leave an inch of vinegar in a bowl to absorb even the strongest smells, whether lingering smoke, chemical smells or pet poop. 

3. Baking soda

Experienced DIYers swear by the versatility of baking soda in absorbing foul odours. You can mix a cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of ground cinnamon, then sprinkle it on your upholstery. Leave it on for half an hour to an hour, then vacuum it up; your carpets will smell of cinnamon. 

Another helpful tip is to leave an opened box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb any odours.  

4. Essential oils

An essential oils burner is a quick and easy way to deodorise your home and give it a spa-like feel. A few drops of lavender, peppermint, jasmine, or lemon oil with some water in a burner can work wonders in deodorising your home.  

5. Dryer sheets

Dryer sheets can do more than give you fresh-smelling laundry. All you have to do is place a few sheets behind the vents of your rooms, and the scent should fill your home. Remember to replace the sheets every two weeks or so.  

Tips for preventing bad smells in your house 

1. Take the rubbish out regularly

Make sure to dispose of your rubbish regularly, especially in your kitchen. You shouldn’t wait for food scraps to pile up, as these can attract pests and produce intensifying smells over time. Remember to segregate and place food waste in a compost bin if you have a garden!

2. Clean the rubbish bin

Residue will always stick to the inside of your bin and cause odours, even if you use rubbish bags or bin liners. At least once a week, give your garbage bin a thorough clean with hot soapy water and a stiff brush. Wipe it dry with an old rag or newspaper before placing a fresh bag or liner.  

3. Enforce a “no shoes” policy

A no-shoes-indoors policy can help lessen house odours by preventing dirt, dust, and other outdoor contaminants from being tracked inside. 

Place a shoe rack by your front door and remind everyone – including guests – to remove their shoes before going inside. 

You can provide your household members and guests with flip-flops, bedroom slippers (save those free slippers from hotel stays!), or other comfortable footwear if they don’t wish to go barefoot. 

4. Implement a no-smoking indoors policy

Tobacco smoke sticks to walls, ceilings, and floors. Apart from the unpleasant smell, this can lead to health issues if several people smoke inside your house often enough.   

This won’t be an issue if everyone in your home is a non-smoker, but what about guests who smoke? Gently inform them of your no-smoking rule, and offer them a proper smoking area outdoors on your patio or garden. 

Hire an expert to rid your house of odours 

Cleaning up regularly and resolving any odour issue at its source is key to having an odour-free home. Should this task become too arduous and overwhelming to tackle alone, don’t hesitate to book an odour control service or professional cleaner! 

Sign up on Airtasker to start connecting with rated and reviewed Taskers near you. With these cleaning tips and professionals ready to help, you can always enjoy a fresh-smelling home.