How to Get Rid of Every Gross Smell in Your Home

Ventilation outperforms gadgets for cooking smells

Opening windows to create cross-breezes removes cooking odors and VOCs more effectively than portable range hoods or air purifiers, which offer only minimal odor reduction.

Severe freezer rot often requires appliance disposal

When meat rots in a freezer for weeks, the smell permanently saturates the insulation, making it necessary to discard the appliance rather than attempt cleaning.

Relocate trash cans near heat sources

If a built-in trash can sits above a heating register, moving it is the only permanent solution; otherwise, frequent cleaning of both the can and cabinet is essential.

Use shelf-stable disinfectants for fridges

Deep clean refrigerators with a shelf-stable bleach product like Clorox Cleanup with Bleach, as homemade bleach solutions degrade too quickly to effectively kill odor-causing bacteria.

Switch to high-quality clumping litter

Dr. Elsie's cat litter forms tight clumps that trap odors effectively, and removing waste immediately to outdoor trash works better than storing it in indoor bins.

Nose blindness affects worried owners less

People concerned about pet odors usually maintain clean homes, while those who don't worry about smells are typically the ones with noticeable stenches.

Wash pet bedding weekly like sheets

Machine-wash pet beds and machine-washable rugs weekly, vacuum dander regularly with a robot vacuum, and avoid scented deodorizers which mask odors and can be toxic to cats.

Wash workout clothes in cold water immediately

Prevent odor buildup in synthetic fabrics by washing them immediately in cold water—never hot, which bakes in smells—turning items inside out and using high-quality detergent.