Photo: Andrey_Popov (Shutterstock)

Homes have a habit of harboring all sorts of nasty odors—cat litter, microwaved salmon, fly traps made from apple cider vinegar—that are blessedly easy to mitigate. Sometimes, though, you come across unpleasant smells that are harder to find and deodorize. Here are some common culprits, along with methods of attack.

There’s hidden mold

Maybe you’ve noticed a “musty” or “wet cardboard” smell in your home. Or perhaps you’ve referred to it as “old home smell.” Either way, one of the most common causes of lingering, musty smells, especially in older homes, is hidden mold, usually in the walls.

As you probably know, some types of mold can be toxic. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most household mold problems under 10 square feet are safe enough to clean on your own and don’t need a professional, but to be safe, you should read up on the different types of mold at the EPA’s website here.

Then, the first real order of business? Figure out where that mold might be hiding. Here are some common culprits:

• Leaky plumbing
• Gutter issues
• Poor ventilation in kitchen and bathrooms
• Window frames where condensation builds up

For small, non-toxic mold problems, like the mold that accumulates on windowsills and frames, simply clean the mold with a soap and water solution, as instructed in the video. Vinegar or diluted bleach are also useful. Add it to water, then spray directly on the mold and clean up. For larger mold problems, you should call a professional.

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Prevention is key with mold, and the University of Missouri Extension offers some easy tips for keeping that nasty stuff at bay:

Keep closets, dresser drawers, basements — any place where mildew is likely to grow — as clean as possible. Soil on dirty articles can supply enough food for mildew to start growing when moisture and temperature are right. Greasy films, such as those that form on kitchen walls, also contain many nutrients for mildew-causing molds.

Spread a layer of moisture-barrier material over the soil in crawl spaces under houses. You can use heavy roofing paper or polyethylene plastic film. Good ventilation is important. If possible, do not enclose the crawl space. In extreme cases, a fan or blower may be needed to move the humid air from under the building.

In rooms that are not air-conditioned — especially the basement — mechanical dehumidifiers are useful. A humidistat can be attached to the unit to control the humidity. Mechanical dehumidifiers, however, can add heat to a room.

Take extra care in laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, where moisture and humidity run amok.

Your carpet and walls have absorbed years of stink

Carpets and paint can absorb bad smells over time: smoke, pet urine, spilled milk. I always splash a fresh coat of paint on the walls when I move, and it typically gets rid of most lingering smells. If you’re renting, you might not be able to paint without getting your deposit back, so always check with your landlord first. At the very least, deep clean the walls, ceilings, and baseboards to get rid of as much of the stink as possible. Home Guides offers a couple of different solutions for getting rid of stubborn smells:

The White Vinegar Solution: …Start by adding warmed vinegar to a spray bottle for tough stains. Dilute using a one-to-one ratio with warm water for less noticeable stains. Apply the warmed vinegar or mixture directly to the walls. Because tar and nicotine develop a sticky and hardened surface, the warmth of the vinegar helps to soften these substances. Vinegar removes both smells and stains.

The Ammonia Method: Ammonia can also remove cigarette tar and nicotine from walls when mixed with water. Combine a tablespoon of ammonia for every cup of water, or roughly 1/2 cup of ammonia to a gallon of warm water. For painted walls, reduce the mixture to 1/4 cup to a gallon of water. For a stronger solution, increase the ammonia to a full cup. Apply the cleaning agent directly to the wall and let it sit for about five minutes before wiping it off. Follow with a clean rinse of warm water.

For stains, we’ve also suggested a bleach and water mixture. Don’t forget to replace the air filters in your home, too. They can also be stink traps.

Replacing your carpets is obviously the best solution for removing the odor they’ve absorbed over time, but that’s not realistic for most of us. It’s an expensive project, and if you’re a renter, your landlord might not comply. To remedy stinky carpets, sprinkle baking soda on them and let it sit for a while—perhaps even overnight. Then, thoroughly vacuum the carpet and the baking soda along with it. If that doesn’t get the job done, you might need a deeper clean. Rent a carpet cleaning machine or steam cleaner. Typically, you fill it with cleaning solution (or white vinegar and water for a cheaper solution) then run the machine up and down your carpets, as you can see in the video above.

Your dishwasher is filthy

Your dishwasher needs a simple cleaning every month or so, and it’s as easy as running the dishwasher empty with a cup of vinegar. Alternatively, you could sprinkle some baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher and run it. The video above will show you how it’s done.

Beyond the basics, however, every dishwasher needs an occasional deep cleaning, and if yours smells like gross, old food, it’s probably high time for a scrub down. Focus on two areas: the seals and the dishwasher trap.

Find the trap (or filter) under your dishwasher’s sprayer. If you haven’t cleaned it in a while, you might find scraps of food and other gunk. Sometimes the tray comes out so you can just rinse it in the sink. If not, you’ll need a towel to remove the gunk build-up.

Second, wipe down the rubber seal around the dishwasher door. Use a vinegar and water solution to get rid of any mold or buildup around the area.

A dead animal is decomposing somewhere in your home

I’ve never (knock on wood) dealt with the reportedly pungent, sickly smell of a dead critter in my walls or ceilings, but from what I understand, it’s tough to ignore.

Most likely, the smell will be knock-you-out strong in one particular area, and that should be able to help you identify the source, whether it’s in the attic, basement, or some specific wall. Wildlife Removal points to some common areas:

• The attic: It can be tricky to find the culprit in the attic because it might be buried under the insulation. They explain that when an animal dies in the attic, it’s common for the smell to permeate the whole house.
• The wall: Yep, sometimes animals live in your walls or fall down in them and get stuck and die. Experts sniff out the spot, cut a hole, remove the carcass, and patch it up.
• The chimney: It’s rare, but it can happen, particularly if you have a metal chimney flue that the animals can’t climb out of.
• Under the house: Animals of all kinds—raccoons, opossums, and even cats—often live under elevated houses and die in the crawl space.

They add that people often think there’s a dead animal in their ductwork, but that’s actually very rare. Usually, it’s just the airflow stirring up the smell. As we’ve pointed out before, if you’re going to remove the carcass yourself, some cities have guidelines they want you to follow, so check with your city’s sanitation department.

Speaking of cleaning up, removing the carcass might not be enough. Clean the area thoroughly to get rid of any remains or smell left behind. Do My Own Pest Control recommends the following:

If you are able to remove the animal carcass you will be able to eliminate the odor quickly by using products like Bac-A-Zap or Odor Hunter that utilize enzymes to break down the offending odor-carrying molecules. These products should be sprayed onto the area (or as close to the area as possible) where the odor originated from to be effective. You may also use the Earth Care Odor Remover Bags. These bags are simply hung up in smelly rooms and as the air in the room passes through the bag, the odor is removed.

If the carcass is in an inaccessible area, bring in a pro. Call your local pest control or wildlife removal company to help you identify the location and remove the source and clean up the area. If you have the DIY skills, you could try it on your own, though. In the above video, wildlife control specialist Shinya Coulter removes sheetrock from inside of a closet to get to a dead rodent (thankfully, Coulter doesn’t show it), then he simply patches up the hole, which we’ve shown you how to do here.

You have electrical problems

I fried fish once, and the smell lingered so long, I thought something was amiss. Turns out the fish just really stuck, but in my research, I learned that malfunctioning electrical wires often emit a stinky fish smell.

Maintenance company Boulden Brothers explains:

Electrical shielding, wires, and other plastic components emit a “fish” or “urine” smell when exposed to high heat. If you smell something fishy, go around your home and look for outlets and other electrical equipment that looks burnt or melting. Also, make sure that plastic and anything else that could burn is far away from any heat source, including light fixtures.

Electrical problems can be dangerous, so if you suspect your home’s wiring is faulty or its electrical components are overheating, call a licensed electrician. Many professionals aren’t familiar with the “fishy smell” problem, but any good one should have an infrared camera to help pinpoint heat sources.

Sewage gas is seeping into your home

Sewage and rotten eggs share a similar putrid aroma, and a rotten egg smell might indicate a gas leak, which is a lot more dangerous. If you smell rotten eggs and you suspect it might be a gas leak, exit the area, make sure not to turn on any lights or use anything ignitable, then call your gas company. Pacific Gas & Electric offers a more detailed gas safety guide here.

Other than that, if one part of your home—typically the bathroom—just smells like sewage, it might just be a dried up P-trap.

P-traps are designed to trap water in the pipe, creating a seal that prevents sewer gas from leaking up through the sink or bathtub. If you haven’t used your sink in a while, the water in the P-trap evaporates, eliminating that barrier. In other words, sewage gas passes right on through, stinking up your bathroom. Similarly, gasses can escape when the water level in your toilet bowl drops. The remedy? Simply flush your toilet or run your sink or bathtub for a bit to clear the pipe.

In some cases, though, you might have a more serious problem in your sewer, drainage, or venting pipes. As Home Guides explains, your toilet could be cracked or your vent pipe could be clogged. In those cases, you’ll probably want to call a plumber, although Home Guides does offer steps for fixing the problem if you’re a DIY-er.

Your water heater needs maintenance

While you’re checking your P-traps, you may also want to check your hot water heater. As Water Tech Online explains, In places where there’s a lot of sulfur in the water, the agent used to reduce the sulfur often reacts with the anode rod in the water heater.

Replacing the standard anode with an aluminum/zinc anode, provided that no water softener is being used, often works in this situation because the reduced current of the anode will significantly reduce the amount of H2 gas generated in the tank.

Run your hot water and see if the smell is more prevalent. If so, you may need a new anode rod, which experts suggest you replace every five years, anyway. Just make sure to read your water heater’s warranty, because some of them require specific types of rods, otherwise the warranty could be voided.

You can call a plumber or appliance repair specialist to replace the rod, or give a go yourself. The above video shows you how it’s done. Again, there’s a big difference between a faint smell coming out of your sink and the strong odor of a gas leak (which might be accompanied by a hissing sound), so be sure to take the necessary precautions if you suspect a natural gas leak.

Home odors can be subtle and tricky. Sometimes they’re faint and they creep up on you over time, making them hard to pinpoint. These common household issues are often culprits, so watch out for them and you’ll be on your way to a stink-free home.

This story was originally published June of 2016 and was updated in 2019 with new photos and to reflect current links and information. Updated again March 15, 2021 with a new header image and to reflect current style guidelines.

Photo: Patrik Stanek (Shutterstock)

If you have more than one child, you have probably noticed that they don’t always get along. Right now, with both winter weather and a pandemic largely keeping us together at home, sibling rivalries may have reached a climax that previously seemed unfathomable. The bad news is: sibling rivalries are essentially inevitable. The good news is: you can manage them in ways that reduce conflict.

Before we talk about how to relieve tensions between siblings, let’s talk about why these rivalries occur in the first place.

The psychology behind sibling rivalries

Siblings don’t fight all the time because they just find each other annoying. Children – especially in early and middle childhood – are constantly trying to figure out where they fit in the world and in their own families. Are they the smart ones, the sporty ones or the fun ones? As Jessica Grose writes for her New York Times::

From a psychological point of view, the rivalry between siblings serves a developmental purpose: It helps children find out what is in itself unique and special, also known as “Distinction. “Children want to be seen as special by their parents, so they will“ always push for preferential treatment ”towards their siblings. [Jeanine] Vivona, [a professor of psychology at the College of New Jersey who has studied sibling rivalry,] said. But they can also shape their interests and personalities according to the abilities and wishes of their siblings.

Children can actually avoid activities or roles their siblings play, as rivalries are about defining who they are as an individual. At the same time, they often struggle for their parents’ time and positive attention, which leads to conflict. (Oh, mom likes your artwork, doesn’t she? Maybe that’s why I suddenly want to tear it up.)

So what are you doing about it?

Avoid comparing them to one another

When one child is doing great at school and the other is not even having the trouble to take their chores home with them, it is tempting to say something, “Why can’t you try harder at school like your brother? “However, this is not a motivational feeling for one child and only serves as further evidence that the other child is indeed your favorite.

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As much as possible, focus on the strengths and good qualities of each child. And if there is something to work on, whether it be related to hard work at school or behavior at home, speak to them only in the context of their specific situation and not in comparison to their siblings.

If possible, punish them privately, out of earshot of their siblings as well. Children take advantage of a parent’s criticism of their siblings against them (by either mocking them or taking the opportunity to boss them around) and this is less than helpful. On the other hand, if you see them helping each other or getting along, praise both of you for encouraging more of that behavior.

Look for patterns in the conflicts

Chances are that there are certain situations where the mood is more likely to catch fire. They may often bump into each other after school when they are moody, hungry and vying for control of the television. Children have to learn how to convey your own argumentsHowever, if you know that certain circumstances are likely to lead to struggles, try to be present during these times to manage the conflict or establish new ground rules to avoid it completely.

As a family, do fun activities together on a regular basis

It’s great to have one-on-one conversations with each child – but also to choose activities that the whole family will enjoy doing together and on a regular basis. Maybe you’re all into board games, mini golf, or a family movie night. Even if there is a little (or a lot) arguing about which game, which movie, or who gets the blue golf ball, it is important for siblings to have frequent positive experiences together to make up for all of these arguments.

Also, avoid playing them off against each other at all costs. It might be tempting to have “fun” little “competitions” with one another, such as “Who can tidy up their toys faster?”. But the last thing you want to do is encourage more competition between them than there is already. Instead, let them work together by challenging them to clean up all of the toys together in a race against the clock.

Just wait

Once you’ve done all of that, the next step is to wait for them to get older. I know this isn’t particularly helpful, but as children reach adolescents and move into adulthood themselves, their relationship often evolves from a competitive one to a closer, more supportive one. It is incredibly common for children to fight non-stop when they are young and fat as thieves as they get older. As long as you are careful and do your best to treat every child fairly, the chances are that everything will be fine in the end.

You’ve probably cooked a lot more in the past few months, which has resulted in a corresponding increase in crumbs, stains, and mysterious pieces of vegetables at the bottom of your sharper drawer. Here are some of our best tips for cleaning your refrigerator – and most importantly, cleaning it.

Remove everything from the refrigerator, including drawers and shelves, before cleaning. You have to work fast to get your perishable goods back there (and out of the temperature hazard zone) as quickly as possible. Wash the drawers and shelves in the sink with a sponge and dish soap and dry them thoroughly before putting them back in place.

If something sticks in the refrigerator, warm it up with a cloth dipped in hot water. Use this as a hot compress to loosen the mass, then wipe it off. For more stubborn stains, use a melamine foam sponge (also known as a Magic Eraser).

Now we want to prevent future clutter. Line up your shelves with Press’ N Seal sheeting to remove and replace in the event of a spill, and keep upturned condiment bottles in an empty egg carton in the doorway to catch any spills.

All of these tips and more can be found in the video above.

Originally published July 2020 and updated March 15, 2021 to reflect the current style guidelines.

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