How do you get rid of an old house smell?

How do I get rid of an old house smell?

10 Tips for Removing House Smells

Old homes come with plenty of quirks and oftentimes smells.  Even if your home is newer, if the owner had pets or did not maintain the home, it can have unpleasant, residual odors.  

Depending on the severity of the odors and what your budget is, here are some suggestions for removing odors from a house. 

1. Fresh Paint

Our walls absorb odors, dirt, oils, and smells.  A fresh coat of paint can often clean up the walls and leave it smelling fresh.  For more serious smells, you may need to wash the walls prior to painting. 

There's also primers that are created to remove odors in the home.  Recently, Sherwin Williams created SuperPaint with Air Purifying-Odor Eliminating Technology that promotes the power to reduce VOCs and household odors.  

2. Refresh Floors

If the home has carpet, it is likely that a cleaning will not be sufficient enough to remove odors.  In this case, replacing the carpet is your best bet. 

If the home has wood flooring, it may need to be refinished. If that's not on the table, the floors may need to be cleaned several times.  There are gentle steam cleaners for wood floors. Also, depending on the type of wood floors, a mixture of white vinegar and water can eliminate odors and is safe for most wood flooring. 

3. Clean!

While it seems obvious, you will need to clean the house upon taking possession of it.  Deep clean areas that you normally overlook.  Before you put items in cabinets, clean into the corners.  Take time to thoroughly wipe baseboards, light fixtures, window sills, and deep into the closest shelves.

4. Open Windows

Fresh air and light can do wonders to refresh a home and clear out odors.  The ultraviolet cleaning magic of the sun can work wonders!

5. Odor Eliminators

Charcoal bags or baking soda naturally absorb odors.  Placing these around the home or in cupboards can absorb unwanted smells.  Replace them often in the beginning and as the home begins to smell better you can leave them out for longer periods or remove them all together.  

6.  Drains

Oftentimes older homes have drains that are filled with unpleasant odors.  

How to unclog a drain naturally: 

1) Let hot water run for 1-2 minutes

2) Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain

3) Pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain

4) Let it sit for 10-20 minutes

5) Flush with hot water

Also check the drains by the washing machine or other drains that are open, but unused.  Oftentimes these dry out and develop a sewage smell.  To remedy the sewage smell in drains, pour a small amount of vegetable oil in the drain.

7.  Purify the Air

Air Purifier

Run an air purifier, or several depending on the size of the home to create air movement and clean the air.  If your thermostat has a setting to run the fan, set it to run for 15-30 minutes of every hour.  Air movement in the home will help to clear out smells.  

Plants

Plants are also an excellent way to naturally purify the air.  Not only will they bring a lovely pop of color and warmth, but they can also help to clean the air.  

8. Check for Mold 

Check bathrooms for mold.  Caulk areas that need to be refreshed.  If you notice leaks, investigate further.  It’s better to address mold and water issues immediately rather than letting them get worse.  

Look for other areas of mold and get them remediated professionally

9. Replace HVAC filters and Dehumidify

Getting new HVAC filters is a must.  Check them every 3 months and replace them at least every 6 months.  

Also, get a dehumidifier for underground areas. If the basement has a damp smell, that will affect the rest of the home. 

10.  Identify the Smell

Does the house have a generally unpleasant smell, or is it coming from a specific area?  While many homes have the residual scent of the previous owner, there may be a specific area that is emitting a smell.  Discover where that smell comes from and why it is present.  

If your purchasing a home, try to identify any issues during the home inspection.  Discover where smells are coming from and attempt to address more serious issues before purchasing the home.