Help! Your new house smells bad? When homeowners sell their property and move out, it’s customary that they’re contractually obligated to leave the premises “broom clean,” but there can sometimes be lingering odors in the air and carpets. If you’ve just moved in to find an odor you hadn’t noticed before, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways find the source and eliminate smells.
How to get rid of smells in a house from previous owners: Easy odor removal
Light odors from a refrigerator that wasn’t properly cleaned or a trash bag that hung around too long are easy to combat.
First, remove the offending source, if it’s still around. (Be sure to check the back of the pantry and cabinets for hidden leftover foodstuffs.) After you’ve cleaned the area, neutralize the odor with these common odor-removal items:
- Baking soda: Open a container and place it in the area where the smell originated.
- Coffee grounds: Put used coffee grounds in shallow bowls and place around your house. The coffee grounds will absorb and eliminate smells.
- White vinegar: Bowls of white vinegar can act as an odor neutralizer.
- Apple cider vinegar: If the sink has an odor, it is likely to be coming from the drain. Pouring apple cider vinegar down the drain will eliminate the smell.
Smoke and nicotine: How to get rid of bad smells in a house
If you’re moving into what had been a smoker’s house, the stale tobacco smell will have penetrated the walls, window treatments, and carpeting, leaving behind an awful odor. Nicotine smell sets in and can linger, long after the last cigarette was stubbed out.
Try to remove the odor first by having the carpeting replaced. If there are window treatments, such as curtains, replace them or have them dry-cleaned. Next, wash the walls and windows. Wait a day or two before giving it the all-clear, as the smell may return. If the smell is still there, wash the walls again, this time using a heavy-duty cleaner like trisodium phosphate.
For persistent odors, you will need to repaint the walls and ceiling of every room, including in closets. You might first want to roll on a coat of odor-blocking primer and sealant, like Kilz, before repainting.
Bad smells in a house: how to remove odors and pet smells
If the previous owner had dogs or cats, there may be lingering odors. If you can, have the carpeting replaced. When they pull up the carpet, there may be stains from pet urine on the subfloor underneath the padding. Clean the stains, let the area dry, then paint over the spots with a primer like KILZ, which helps seal in odors. If the stain is not sealed in, the odor may return even though you have new carpet.
If you find the smell still lingers, sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the carpet and let it stand for a few minutes every time you vacuum. It will help neutralize odors, and the smell should eventually go away.
Bad smells in a house: clean the ducts
If your house smells musty, check the air ducts and look for evidence of mold and other harmful bacteria. If you can’t determine whether it’s mold, you can have a sample analyzed by a microbiology testing center for about $50, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The extra precaution could be worth it, since a duct cleaning could cost between $450 and $1,000, according to the EPA, but it’s one of the most efficient ways to improve the air quality in a home.
If you don’t think your ducts need a cleaning, trap stinky bacteria by replacing the filters.
Rotten-egg smell? How to get smells out of a house
Unless someone actually left rotten eggs or garbage around, the smell of rotten eggs is likely to indicate a gas leak. Leave your home and call a professional as soon as possible.
Bad smells in a house: checklist for odor removal
To sum up, if you’re taking over a house that has lingering odors, take drastic measures before you even think of moving your stuff in.
- Remove and clean or tear up and replace the carpets.
- Repaint walls in rooms where the odor is strongest.
- Hire a professional cleaning crew.
- Considering renting a cleaning device like an ozone machine.
Clean it up right, and you’ll never have to worry about it again.
