Having a bad odor in the home can really put a damper on one’s life. It hangs in the air and can’t be escaped, and it makes you reluctant to have anyone over. All in all, it makes the home a much less pleasant place. And because many home odors are so difficult to get rid of, they can also be endlessly frustrating. Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true methods for getting rid of home odors. If you try one and it doesn’t work, move on to the next one. In fact, many people find that they don’t get good results until they perform several different methods multiple times. That’s how persistent home odors can be.


1. Scrub: The first thing you’ll want to do to get rid of an odor is to scrub the surface where it’s coming from. Even if you suspect that the odor is coming from deep in the floorboards, you’ll want to give the area a good cleaning. The best way to do so is to use multiple different materials. Use the traditional store-bought cleaner for the surface, then clean with a specialized odor-removing product, and finally scrub with a half-water-half-vinegar mixture.

2. Cook: Next, if you have an odor in your kitchen, you can try to neutralize the smell by boiling some water on your stovetop. You can also make a natural air freshener by putting a few tablespoons of vanilla extract in some aluminum foil and cooking it at moderate heat in the oven.

3. Freshen: There are a number of air conditioners on the market that do more than just cover up smells, but also emit freshening agents in the air to help completely neutralize the odor. Place a few store-bought air conditioners around the home, with an extra freshener or two around the area where the odor is worst.

4. Other scents: In addition to fresheners, you can also use things like incense and scented candles to fill your home with pleasant smells. These will help cover up the odor in the short-term, and if you use them persistently, they can actually help to permanently bury the bad smell in the long run.

5. Be persistent: If you try all these different cleaning methods and the bad smell doesn’t go away, don’t give up. Take a couple of hours every weekend to repeat your steps, and keep it up for several months. It may seem like a lot of work, but you will eventually begin to make headway.