6 Common Causes of Bad Smells in Your Home—and How to Get Rid of Odors for Good

When it comes to fighting odors in your home, certain places are more prone to smells than others (looking at you, kitchen trash can). But instead of simply coating the offending area with air freshener or lighting a candle to mask the odor, learn how to address unwanted smells at the source. Vanesa Amaro, Clorox spokesperson and TikTok’s "Queen of Cleaning," is sharing how to effectively eliminate odors—and prevent them from returning.

Natural deodorizers like vinegar and baking soda can absorb odors, she says, but there’s also a preventive element to fighting odors at home that’s important to stay on top of. From addressing moisture issues quickly to washing linens and pet beds regularly, and keeping your appliances clean, staying on top of these tasks can help keep your home odor-free for the long haul. Amaro shares the top spots in your home that might be harboring some yucky smells—and how to tackle them for good.

Vanesa Amaro is a Clorox spokesperson and TikTok’s "Queen of Cleaning."

living room with white walls and a blue ceiling. blue, green, and white decor and furniture

Brittany Ambridge

1. Unclean Upholstery

Pets, kids, and even how often you entertain are all factors that can increase how often your couch needs deodorizing. “The couch is one area that is used very often but can also be hard to clean regularly,” Amaro says. “I make my own solution to deodorize my couch, and it is a very simple mixture that most people will have the ingredients for at home already.”

To create Amaro’s upholstery cleaning solution, add the following ingredients to a spray bottle in this order: fabric softener (amount can be adjusted to suit how strong you want the scent), ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, and ½ cup water. Once you’ve created the solution, spray it on your sofa to help eliminate lingering odors.

2. Curtains and Drapes

“Most people don’t even think about washing their curtains, but they can hold onto bad odors and smells, especially if you have curtains in your kitchen and dining area that can smell like grease and food,” says Amaro. Depending on your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, the cleaning pro says they should be either washed or dry cleaned at least once a year to eliminate and prevent odors.

Herbs in pots on a kitchen counter near a sink and window

Greg Scheidemann

3. Kitchen Culprits

Even if you've scrubbed your sink clean, unwanted odors are likely hiding in the garbage disposal. If your kitchen smells like bad food even after you've taken out the trash, try creating a DIY disposal cleaner. Mix 1 cup each of baking soda and vinegar, and pour it down the drain. Let it rest for an hour, then run warm water down the drain to sweep away lingering odors, gunk, and food particles.

If you've checked the trash, the disposal, and the dishwasher are clean, yet you can’t quite kick the feeling that something isn’t right in the olfactory department. It could be your sponges. “Sponges can capture food particles that linger after each use, causing mildew and odors in the kitchen,” says Amaro. If you opt for washable sponges as she does, you can throw them in the dishwasher to eliminate smells and sanitize them. Otherwise, plan to replace your sponges every week or two, or sooner if you notice any odor.

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4. The Washer and Dryer

Your washer and dryer could be a source of mildew, mold, and other odor-causing bacteria. To help keep your machines clean and your laundry smelling fresh as can be, Amaro recommends a monthly bleach cleanout cycle. “To do this, I pour Clorox Disinfecting Bleach into the bleach dispenser, filling to the 'max fill' line, then I run an empty load on the hottest setting,” she explains. “Always make sure to add an extra rinse cycle to help flush out any bacteria and bleach residue before using the washing machine again.”

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A dog sitting in an orange dog bed located in a well-organized mudroom with various items on hooks and shelves

David A Land

5. Pet Supplies

Just like your dog needs a regular bath to keep odors at bay, their supplies need to be washed, too. Bedding, toys, and their favorite stuffies should be cleaned regularly to keep your home smelling fresh.

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6. Carpet and Rugs

Your carpets could be hiding a bunch of smells that—no matter how many times you vacuum—you just can’t seem to kick. According to Amaro, sprinkling baking soda on the fibers can help. “Known for its odor-fighting properties, baking soda is great for absorbing smells,” she says. While it can work wonders on the carpeted areas of your home, baking soda can also help eliminate odors from the interiors of your shoes and furniture. When using baking soda on your carpet, let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. You’ll soon find musty odors are no match for this household staple.

7. Garbage and Recycling Bins

A thorough wash with soap and water can help keep your trash bin in top shape and prevent lingering smells from hiding. Amaro recommends finishing the job with a coat of disinfectant spray like Clorox Clean-Up Cleaner + Bleach and, once dry, lining it with a dryer sheet to help absorb new odors. Alternatively, she says you can do double duty by mixing a bleach-and-water solution in a spray bottle and using it on both the inside and outside of the trash can. Wipe it clean before adding your trash bag.