These 14 mistakes that make your house smell bad… and how to get rid of them!

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)

But what is this unpleasant smell that tickles your nostrils? It happens that amidst the scent of laundry, fresh air, or scented candles, your house reveals an odor that you don’t like. And guess what? Multiple reasons can explain this. Here are 14 problems that make your house “stink.”

Hidden mold

If you smell mold but don’t see it, it may be growing behind partitions. “Mold can hide behind wallpaper, under floor coverings or in walls, even without being visible. call our doctor back.

Mold grows where there is a lot of moisture, such as under a sink with a leaking pipe or in a poorly ventilated bathroom. However, it is not welcome for our health: “Mold is a major cause of bad odors and can have serious health consequences. evokes Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo. First of all, irritations, but above all allergies, asthma and respiratory problems to which children and the elderly are particularly sensitive.

If you notice or suspect mold, it’s best to call a professional if you think that’s the problem. Trying to repair it yourself could release mold spores.

Mold on your front opening washing machine

Mold with a musty smell often develops on this type of washing machine, particularly on the rubber seal. They can also lead to allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Sometimes you just need to leave the door open between loads to prevent mold. Also dry and clean the rubber seal regularly.

Waste in the pipes

Odor-causing bacteria can live in your kitchen sink and drain…. The fault is the food residues which can lodge there and stagnate. It is therefore recommended to clean your pipes once a week, with an appropriate product.

New furniture

The sofa or furniture you just purchased may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs are gases, such as formaldehyde and toluene, that can irritate the nose and throat. A danger that should not be taken lightly for Dr Gérald Kierzek, who mentions several risks:

• Irritations;
• Nausea;
• Fatigue ;
• Allergies;
• Respiratory disorders;
• Long-term cancer risks.

If you have purchased furniture, remember to open the windows to circulate the air if you can. And look for low-VOC products to limit your exposure.

A dirty carpet

It can trap dust, dirt, pet dander or urine… lovely! Carpet can also trap mold spores, leaving a musty smell in your home. To eliminate odors, vacuum at least 3 times a week with a machine equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate filter) filter. Also deep clean your carpets once a year using dry steam cleaning.

A questionable refrigerator

Bacteria that cause food spoilage make it taste and smell bad. But you won’t be spared, even if you place your leftovers or vegetables in the refrigerator! To avoid this, clean it regularly:

• Wipe up spills immediately with warm, soapy water to keep your refrigerator fresh.
• Avoid cleaning products, as they can make your food taste like chemicals.
• Go through the refrigerator once a week and throw out anything that has expired. An open box of baking soda can also help eliminate odors

Wet towels

A great classic in the teenage bathroom: the towel rolled up, still damp. However, if you don’t wash them often enough, bacteria multiply to make your towel smell like a dirty sock. A study found that a type of bacteria called Moraxella osloensis is also the main cause of bad laundry odors. To avoid this, wash your towel at least once a week, more often if you live in a hot, humid place. Spread it on a towel rack to dry instead of hanging it on a hook.

A dead animal

If you have cats, or wild animals around your home, you may have had the experience: a dead animal (a mouse or other) gives off a foul odor, which tends to strengthen and persist for several days, even weeks.

Dirty sheets (after just a few days)

Did you know? Every night, you shed dead skin cells while you sleep. However, the bacteria responsible for bad odors and mites like dead skin cells. This is why you should wash your sheets at least every two weeks. Try to do this more often when it’s hot or if you sweat at night.

A smelly dishwasher

Here again food particles can be stuck in the filter. Once a week, take the filter out and scrub it with a soft brush under running water. Wipe away any other residue inside the device with a sponge. You can use dishwasher cleaner to make it super clean. You can also place a bowl filled with vinegar in the bottom rack of the empty dishwasher and run a cycle.

A sewer smell in the basement

The smell can also come from underneath. When a “P” trap ends up dried out in a drain pipe. A P-trap is a section of pipe that normally stays filled with water, preventing sewer gas (hydrogen sulfide) from entering your home. But this is not always the case. However, breathing hydrogen sulfide can irritate your eyes and throat, cause shortness of breath and lead to fatigue, headaches and dizziness. Fortunately, pouring water down your floor drain may be enough to solve the problem; if it persists, call a plumber.

Your pets

Cleaning excrement and urine is one of the tasks that should not be neglected when living with a cat or dog, because no, there is nothing sterile about them! For example, cat and dog feces may contain organisms such as roundworms and hookworms that can be transmitted to humans. Clean up accidents promptly, collect feces from the cat litter box every day and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Your water heater

If your water smells like rotten eggs, sulfur bacteria is likely the cause. They are not harmful in themselves, but they can produce hydrogen sulfide gas. At high levels, it can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause nausea and headaches. Faced with this problem, a plumber can replace the parts and increase the temperature to kill the bacteria.

A natural gas leak

Pure natural gas has no odor. To help you detect a leak, gas companies add a substance that makes it smell like rotten eggs. If you notice this smell near one of your appliances, a night light may be out. If the smell is strong in your home, do not light matches or turn on any switches. Leave the house immediately and call your gas company or emergency services.

Improve air quality in just a few steps

To improve the quality of indoor air and eliminate bad odors, there are also common actions to carry out regularly, reminds our expert:

• Identify and treat sources of humidity;
• Ventilate regularly;
• Use an air purifier with activated carbon filter;
• Deep clean carpets and upholstered furniture;
• Favor natural materials and products;
• Carry out a humidity diagnosis by an expert if necessary.

Slide: DIY: Recipes for natural household products