There’s nothing quite like stepping into a fresh-smelling home. But when mystery odors start taking over, it can be frustrating to figure out where they’re coming from—let alone how to get rid of them.

Instead of masking bad smells with artificial air fresheners, the key to a consistently fresh home is eliminating odors at their source and using natural, long-lasting solutions. This guide will walk you through the best ways to remove household odors, room by room, so your home always smells as inviting as it looks.

Why Odors Linger in Your Home

Odors don’t just disappear on their own—they settle into the materials around your home, slowly seeping into fabrics, carpets, upholstery, and even walls. Over time, what might start as a minor smell can embed itself so deeply that routine cleaning alone may not be enough to remove it.

When an odor lingers, it’s because it has attached itself to porous surfaces like fabric, wood, or drywall. Common household materials such as carpets, curtains, and couches absorb smells from cooking, pets, and everyday life. Even hard surfaces like countertops and floors can accumulate odor-causing bacteria over time.

Air circulation plays a significant role in whether an odor sticks around or dissipates. In a well-ventilated home, smells are carried out with the airflow. But in a home with poor ventilation, odors become trapped and continue to linger, making it harder to keep rooms smelling fresh.

General Odor Removal Tips

Increase Ventilation for a Fresher Home

The first step to an odor-free home is good airflow. Opening windows and doors daily lets fresh air circulate, while fans or air purifiers help keep things moving. If humidity is an issue, using a dehumidifier can help prevent musty smells from settling into fabrics and walls.

Regular Deep Cleaning to Remove Trapped Odors

Odors cling to dust, grime, and fabric, so regular deep cleaning is essential. Vacuuming carpets, washing curtains, and wiping down neglected areas like baseboards and behind appliances help eliminate odor sources.

Using Natural Deodorizers Instead of Harsh Chemicals

Instead of masking odors with artificial sprays, natural deodorizers offer a safe, non-toxic solution:

• Baking soda absorbs smells in the fridge, carpets, and even gym shoes.

• White vinegar neutralizes odors on surfaces and in the air.

• Activated charcoal helps absorb musty smells in basements or garages.

Room-Specific Odor Solutions

Kitchen Odors: Keeping Cooking Smells Under Control

Kitchens are a major source of household odors. Strong cooking smells can linger for hours, especially from frying, spices, or burnt food. Regularly cleaning the oven, microwave, and stovetop helps, as does wiping down surfaces to remove grease buildup.

To keep trash odors at bay, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of garbage cans before inserting a bag. Keeping a small bowl of coffee grounds or activated charcoal in the fridge can also help absorb lingering food smells.

Bathroom Odors: Managing Moisture & Mildew

Bathrooms often hold onto moisture, making them a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Running an exhaust fan, wiping down wet surfaces after showers, and washing towels frequently all help maintain freshness.

For persistent smells, it’s important to clean areas that are often overlooked, like the toilet base, trash bin, and drains. A simple vinegar and baking soda mix can break down odors naturally.

Living Room Odors: Refreshing Soft Furnishings

Because living rooms are filled with upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains, odors tend to settle in fabrics. Regular vacuuming and washing cushion covers prevent stale smells from building up. If carpets or rugs hold onto odors, sprinkling baking soda and vacuuming it up after 15 minutes can help lift them out.

For pet-friendly homes, washing pet beds and blankets weekly is essential, as dander and fur easily contribute to lingering smells.

Bedroom & Closet Odors: Keeping Fabrics Fresh

A bedroom should be a relaxing sanctuary, but unwashed bedding and musty closets can make it feel less inviting. Washing sheets, pillowcases, and blankets weekly helps remove sweat and body oils that contribute to stale smells.

Closets, especially when overstuffed, can become musty. Adding cedar blocks or sachets of dried lavender helps keep clothes smelling fresh, while storing shoes with baking soda or dryer sheets can prevent unwanted odors.

Basement & Garage Odors: Preventing Musty Smells

Basements and garages often have poor ventilation, making them prone to musty odors. Keeping the area dry is key—dehumidifiers, moisture-absorbing charcoal, and proper storage (like plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes) all help reduce unwanted smells.

Garages can develop odors from oil spills, old paint cans, or forgotten trash bins. Sweeping regularly and using a mild vinegar solution on concrete floors can keep odors from becoming permanent.

Entryway & Shoe Odors: Keeping Your Home’s First Impression Fresh

A home’s entryway sets the tone, and nothing ruins a welcoming space like the smell of sweaty shoes. Storing shoes in an open-air rack instead of an enclosed bin allows them to air out properly. Sprinkling baking soda inside shoes overnight can absorb moisture and neutralize odors.

Removing Pet & Smoke Odors

How to Get Rid of Pet Odors Without Harsh Chemicals

Even the cleanest pets leave behind dander, fur, and the occasional accident. Regularly washing pet bedding, vacuuming their favorite lounging spots, and using enzymatic cleaners on accidents help eliminate lingering smells.

Eliminating Smoke Odors from Fabrics & Air

Smoke odors are particularly stubborn because they cling to soft surfaces. Washing curtains, bedding, and carpets is necessary for deep removal, while airing out rooms regularly helps prevent the smell from settling. White vinegar, placed in bowls around the room overnight, can help absorb lingering smoke particles.

Eliminating Odors from Laundry & Clothing

Laundry should smell clean and fresh, but moisture, sweat, and bacteria can create stubborn odors that seem impossible to remove. Gym clothes, towels, and even everyday fabrics can develop a mildew-like scent if they don’t dry completely or if they sit too long in a damp environment.

One of the best natural ways to combat musty laundry odors is adding white vinegar to the wash cycle. Vinegar helps break down odor-causing bacteria and neutralizes trapped smells without the need for harsh chemicals. If the odor is particularly strong, pre-soaking clothes in a mix of vinegar and water before washing can help lift deep-set odors.

Baking soda is another powerful deodorizer. Sprinkling it into the wash helps absorb and neutralize smells, especially in sweaty workout clothes. For extra freshness, adding a few drops of essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to your laundry detergent can leave clothes smelling clean without synthetic fragrances.

Drying properly is just as important as washing. Leaving damp clothes in the washing machine for too long can lead to mildew growth. Always transfer laundry immediately to the dryer or hang it in a well-ventilated area to air dry. If clothes still have a lingering odor, drying them in the sun is a natural and effective way to freshen fabrics, as UV rays help kill bacteria.

For long-term freshness, keeping your washing machine clean is key. Over time, detergent buildup and trapped moisture can lead to musty smells in the machine itself. Running an empty cycle with hot water, vinegar, and baking soda once a month helps prevent odors from transferring to your laundry.

Temporary vs. Permanent Odor Solutions

Quick Fixes: When You Need Fast Results

Sometimes, you need a quick solution to freshen up a room before guests arrive or to temporarily mask an odor while you work on a long-term fix. Air fresheners, scented candles, and essential oil diffusers are popular go-to options that can provide an instant burst of pleasant fragrance.

Simmering cinnamon sticks, lemon slices, or herbs in a pot of water on the stove can create a natural, fresh aroma that fills the home quickly. Spraying a DIY air freshener made with water, baking soda, and essential oils can also help neutralize light odors in the short term.

However, these methods don’t actually remove the source of the odor—they only cover it up. Once the scent fades, the problem will return unless the underlying cause is addressed.

Long-Term Fixes: Solutions That Prevent Odors from Returning

To truly eliminate odors, it’s important to focus on deep cleaning and odor absorption rather than masking the problem. Regular vacuuming, mopping, and washing fabrics helps prevent odor buildup, while natural odor absorbers like baking soda, activated charcoal, and white vinegar help pull smells out of the air and surfaces.

Improving ventilation is one of the best long-term strategies for keeping a home fresh. Proper airflow prevents odors from becoming trapped and allows natural air circulation to carry unpleasant smells away. Running fans, opening windows, and using air purifiers with HEPA filters can make a noticeable difference in how fresh a home feels.

For persistent odors—such as pet accidents, smoke, or mildew—deep cleaning carpets, upholstery, and air vents may be necessary. Enzymatic cleaners are particularly effective for breaking down organic odors, while steam cleaning carpets and furniture can help remove deeply embedded smells.

Ultimately, long-term freshness comes from establishing a regular cleaning routine and addressing odor sources before they become a problem. By maintaining a clean and well-ventilated home, odors won’t have a chance to settle in the first place.

Odors from New Furniture or Paint (VOC Odors)

That “new furniture” or “fresh paint” smell might seem pleasant at first, but it often comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—chemical emissions released from materials like paint, carpets, adhesives, and synthetic furniture. These odors can linger for weeks or even months and may cause headaches or irritation for some people.

One of the best ways to speed up the dissipation of VOC odors is ventilation. Keeping windows open and running fans helps move the air and prevents chemical smells from lingering. Placing bowls of activated charcoal or baking soda in newly furnished rooms helps absorb airborne VOCs naturally.

If new furniture has a particularly strong smell, airing it outside in direct sunlight for a few hours can help break down chemical compounds more quickly. Low-VOC or zero-VOC paints are a great option for minimizing strong paint fumes when redecorating, and choosing natural wood furniture over synthetic materials can reduce chemical odors in the home.

For those sensitive to strong smells, incorporating houseplants like peace lilies, spider plants, or aloe vera can help improve air quality by naturally filtering out toxins.

Preventative Measures to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh

A home that smells fresh isn’t just about getting rid of bad odors—it’s about preventing them from building up in the first place. Establishing a few simple daily and weekly habits can make a significant difference in keeping your space clean and inviting.

Daily & Weekly Cleaning Habits That Prevent Odor Buildup

Small, consistent actions help prevent odors from taking hold. Taking out the trash regularly, wiping down kitchen surfaces, and washing dishes immediately after use stops food odors from lingering. Sweeping and vacuuming high-traffic areas prevents dirt and dust from accumulating, while cleaning up spills as soon as they happen keeps bacteria and mildew from developing.

In the bathroom, running an exhaust fan during and after showers helps control moisture, preventing mildew from forming. Changing towels frequently and leaving them to dry properly prevents musty smells from creeping in.

Eco-Friendly Products for a Naturally Fresh Home

Instead of relying on chemical-laden air fresheners, natural solutions like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and essential oils provide long-lasting freshness. Using eco-friendly cleaning sprays made with vinegar and citrus peels can help deodorize surfaces without introducing artificial fragrances into the home.

For ongoing freshness, placing small bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal in problem areas—like musty closets, near pet beds, or inside trash cans—can help absorb odors before they become noticeable.

Air Circulation & Humidity Control: The Secret to a Fresh-Smelling Home

Odors often become trapped in stagnant air, making ventilation one of the most effective ways to maintain freshness. Opening windows for at least 15-30 minutes a day allows fresh air to circulate, especially in rooms that don’t get much airflow.

Humidity control is equally important—excess moisture in the air can lead to mildew and musty smells. Running dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements or bathrooms prevents mold growth, while keeping air conditioning filters clean ensures that air circulating through the home remains fresh.

Even something as simple as letting in natural sunlight can help. Sunlight has natural antibacterial properties and can help dry out damp spaces that might otherwise trap odors.

Breathe Easy: A Home That Smells as Fresh as It Looks

A fresh-smelling home isn’t about covering up bad odors—it’s about eliminating them at the source and preventing them from returning. Whether it’s tackling pet odors, keeping laundry fresh, or improving air circulation, small, everyday habits make a big difference in maintaining a naturally clean and pleasant space.

By using natural deodorizers, keeping up with regular cleaning, and ensuring good airflow, your home can stay fresh and inviting year-round. But sometimes, a deeper clean is needed to completely refresh your space.

Let Mainstay Cleaning take care of the hard work for you! Our team specializes in eco-friendly, thorough cleaning services that eliminate odors at the source, so your home feels and smells fresh every day. Schedule a cleaning with us today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a spotless, odor-free home!