When it comes to creating a welcoming and comfortable space, how your home smells matters just as much as how it looks. If you think about it, it doesn’t really matter how neat and organized your house looks if there’s a putrid odor ruining everything. No one wants to have nasty stenches ruining the ambiance of their home, so here are a few things you can do to keep your home smelling fresh.
Vacuum Upholstery and Carpets
When your upholstered furniture and carpets aren’t regularly cleaned, different impurities can accumulate and absorb into the material. From dead skin cells and loose debris to dust and dirt, these items are exposed to tons of contaminants on a daily basis that could wreak all kinds of havoc when left unaddressed for long periods of time.
When this loose debris penetrates the fibers of your upholstery and carpets, it can actually hold onto other contaminants, such as food particles and spilled liquids. All of these combined together can eventually lead to the formation of unpleasant odors, which can be difficult to remove. To prevent this from happening in the first place, make sure to vacuum these items with the right attachment at least once a week to eliminate all surface-level impurities.
Mattress
You’d be surprised at how much your mattress is exposed to on a regular day. Aside from the usual dust and dirt from the environment, your mattress is also exposed to dead skin cells, excess sebum production, bacteria, sweat, and saliva, among other things. When you allow these things to absorb and settle on your mattress, they can eventually come together and create a gross smell, even if you have a mattress cover in place.
Because of this, it’s important that you incorporate your mattress into your regular cleaning routine. After stripping down your mattress, use your vacuum cleaner with the right attachment to go over each area with several long strokes, ensuring that all traces of debris are removed. Fortunately, you only have to do this at least once a month. However, the frequency may increase depending on the use of your mattress, as well as what it’s going through.
Air Conditioner
You might be surprised to know that the source of the odors could be your air conditioner. There are a few reasons why this could happen:
- Dirty Air Filter: The air filter is in charge of removing all the impurities and pollutants from the air before its release, but it has to be regularly cleaned to do its job. Otherwise, it could get clogged with dust, dirt, debris, pollutants, and allergens, all of which can work together to trap odor, which will then be released into the air in your home.
- Mold and Mildew Growth: Your air conditioner produces a significant amount of condensation during the cooling process, but some of this moisture might linger inside your unit and promote mold and mildew growth. Aside from a distinct smell, this growth can also lead to severe respiratory illnesses and irritations like asthma and allergies.
- Improper Drainage: The moisture produced by your unit in the cooling process is directed toward either the drain pan or the drain line. However, any obstructions or blockages could lead to stagnant water, which could harbor odor-causing bacteria, as well as mold and mildew growth.
- System Breakdown or Malfunction: If your air conditioner is experiencing an issue with one or more of its internal components, this could cause a very concerning chemical smell to spread through your space.
The best thing to do when your air conditioner is producing any sort of smell is to leave it to the professionals. Aside from giving your unit a thorough cleaning, a professional HVAC technician will also be able to properly inspect everything and make sure everything is working properly. Visit www.luce.sg/services/aircon-servicing to book an appointment today!
Trash Can
You probably don’t think about your trash can much, especially with it being the destination of your waste and garbage, but it can actually build up quite a stench if left uncleaned for too long. This is especially true for trash bins that handle liquid and food waste, as the residue left behind can promote the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
The good news is that you only need to clean and disinfect your trash can once a month, possibly more depending on the type and amount of waste being handled. Just use either a clean cloth and disinfectant spray or a disinfectant wipe to thoroughly wipe down the interior and exterior of the trash can.
Pet Bed and Items
There are many reasons why your furry friend could be the culprit of those questionable odors you’ve been smelling around. Aside from the amount of fur they shed and the oils and sweat they produce, pets also tend to track in dirt and dust from the outside, which can contribute to nasty smells. Another reason could be that they’ve recently had an accident or spill that wasn’t dealt with immediately. This allows the liquid to absorb and cling to other impurities over time.
For cloth and fabric pet items, toss them into the washing machine and use a pet-safe laundry detergent to give them a good cleaning. For plastic items like feeding bowls and toys, you can soak these in the sink with a pet-safe dish soap before scrubbing away all the dirt and bacteria with either a sponge or a scrub brush. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the item:
- Feeding Bowls and Items: After every use
- Fabric Pet Items: Once a week
- Pet Toys: Once a month
There are many different ways that odors can form in your home, but these are a few of the most common culprits that you can check out. If your goal is to keep odors away from your home, then the best thing you can do is to stay on top of your regular household cleaning routine, as this will make a difference, especially when it comes to eliminating the main causes of odors.
