No matter how clean you try and keep your home, it’s almost inevitable that over time, odors will begin to build up and cause it to smell, whether it’s from cooking, pets, a blocked drain or the absence of fresh air circulating throughout the home. If not addressed appropriately, these odors can end up becoming a real stink.

Fortunately, most unpleasant odors can easily be eliminated, and here are some tips for identifying the smell and getting rid of it for good:

Locate the source 

This is usually a fairly simple task, even if you have multiple foul odors in your home, and can be accomplished simply by following your nose! We’re typically able to recognize and identify a variety of odors, but getting rid of them is the most important task.

Eliminating smoky odors 

Open all windows and let the outside air in to help dissipate the smoke. For eliminating the lingering smell of smoke, you might want to try placing a few open boxes of baking soda about the place to deodorize the air. For heavy smoke, you’ll need to wash the draperies, soft furnishings and other furniture to get rid of the smell completely, and for hard surfaces, try using a mixture of one part vinegar and five parts warm water to clean smoke stains and get rid of the lingering smell.

Throwing the windows open 

Okay, so you don’t literally have to throw your windows open! But opening windows is one of the fastest ways to freshen up the air inside your home and allow indoor pollutants to dissipate quickly.

Deodorizing your waste disposal 

A cheap and effective solution to a smelly waste disposal, is to slice up some citrus fruit and put it into the system. If this doesn’t work, try pouring a half cup of water mixed with white vinegar down it.

Getting rid of odors in carpets 

Carpets can get especially grubby and smelly, especially if you share your home with pets, and they can make your entire home smell musty and unclean. If your pet has a habit of peeing on your carpets, you can use vinegar to destroy the bacteria and eliminate the odor of urine. You just need to mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, and rub it onto the affected area of the carpet with a towel. The carpet should then be rinsed with water and allowed to air dry.

Air purifiers and humidifiers 

Having an indoor air purifier or humidifier is a great way of aromatizing and disinfecting your home, and when indoor air pollution is reduced, unpleasant smells are often reduced, too.

Regular cleaning of your entire home 

In some instances, unpleasant aromas are simply a result of an unclean home, and by keeping on top of your cleaning regime, you can help keep your home smelling fresher for longer. If you don’t have the time to keep your home clean, simply hire a cleaning company and ask them to come in as often as needed.

Nobody wants a smelly home, but by following the tips above and hiring a professional maids if necessary, you can keep every room smelling as fresh as a daisy, all year round!