9 Bad Habits That Are Making Your House Smelly

Kick these bad habits (and odors) to the curb.

There’s something nice about walking into a home that has a lovely fragrance. But what if your home smells anything but fresh? Even if you're cleaning regularly and have air fresheners, your living space can still have an unpleasant odor. Can’t figure out where that odd mystery smell is coming from? It might be time to take a hard look at your lifestyle and routine—you could be keeping up a few bad habits that are contributing to the funk. Below are eight that may explain why your home smells.

Related: Here's Exactly How to Conquer All Household Odors

You're Not Taking Out the Garbage Frequently

Do you remember the last time you took out the garbage, especially from that big kitchen trash can? If you can’t remember, you probably need to take it out. One of the biggest culprits is rotting food, which can be a problem if you don’t have a disposal in the sink.

Before you put in a new bag, it also might be time to give your garbage can a good cleaning. Spray some multipurpose cleaner on a paper towel and wipe it down. Don’t forget to check all of your garbage cans, wastebaskets, and diaper pails (if you have them). One trick to cut back on funky garbage can odors is to line the bottom with a few layers of newspaper—this will absorb smelly leaks.

You're Not Wiping Down the Fridge Interior

One space we often neglect to clean is the inside of our refrigerators. Small spills, leakage from food containers, or simply food past its expiration date can get funky if not taken care of promptly.

To properly clean your fridge, it’s best to remove all the shelves and wash them with hot, soapy water. Then wipe down the inside walls of the appliance with a mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, and water. You should do this at least four times a year, but wipe spills up immediately when they happen.

You're Letting Towels Mildew

Do your bathroom towels smell musty? Excess moisture can cause mildew and bacteria to grow on them! Give your towels a good cleaning with quality detergent and vinegar or baking soda on the hot cycle. To prevent this from happening in the future, spread them out after each use so they dry properly. (Bunching them up can lead to mildew.)

Additionally, small bathrooms can be breeding grounds for mildew. If there’s a window, try to keep it open when you aren’t showering, and don't forget to turn on the fan if you have one. A product that absorbs moisture, like DampRid, may also be helpful.

Related: How to Wash Towels to Keep Them Smelling Fresh

You're Not Vacuuming and Dusting Enough

If your home doesn’t necessarily smell bad, but perhaps it's just not fresh—you might need to do a deep clean that involves vacuuming and dusting. Dust is a mixture of bacteria, dead skin cells, pollen, dirt, and other things in the atmosphere, which can produce a mild, stale odor.

You're Not Cleaning Your Carpet and Rugs

There’s nothing that harbors odors quite like carpeting and rugs can, especially if you have pets. If vacuuming alone doesn't work, try sprinkling carpet-safe deodorizers (like Aunt Fannie’s Carpet Refresher) on the rug, letting it sit for fifteen minutes then vacuuming it up. Wash your filters regularly too, as this can transfer smells around your home while you vacuum!

If you have washable rugs, it’s a good idea to clean them often following the manufacturer's instructions. On the other hand, if you have a wall-to-wall carpet, you may want to hire a professional service to give it a deep cleaning.

You're Piling Stinky Shoes Out in the Open

Smelly feet are a fact of life for many of us unfortunately, and this usually means our shoes are tainted with those bad odor molecules, too. When a bunch start to pile up by the entry though, it creates an invisible stinky cloud. Consider stashing them in a closed bench or basket to at least contain the smell, and try washing them to really get to the root of the problem.

Related: How to Stop Shoes From Smelling—7 Different Ways

You're Not Caring for Your Plants

One sign you aren’t the most naturally gifted plant parent is if your plants smell. Root rot, which is caused by overwatering, will make your home smell like anything but a healthy, verdant garden. You may need to drain your pot and do some triage, depending on what type of plant you have.

Related: How to Revive a Dying Houseplant—and When It’s Time to Say Goodbye

You're Letting Dead Flowers Sit Around

Who doesn’t love receiving fresh, beautiful flowers? Unlike plants, freshly-cut flowers don’t have a long lifespan—dead flowers can emit a foul odor. Next time, don’t forget to use the flower food included and to change the water daily so they last longer. When you see your bouquet start to wilt, toss or compost them before the stench takes over.

You're Not Bathing Your Pet

As much as we love our furry friends, their natural odors generally lean unpleasant. Sometimes your house just smells like your dog or cat. If you can’t recall the last time your pet had a bath, it’s time to make an appointment with your groomer or grab a bottle of pet shampoo and wash them in the bathtub. 

Related: Boil These Spices to Make Your House Smell Good

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