If your home smells funny, check these 7 problem areas

Whether it’s a smelly dishwasher, mysterious shower drain smells, pets, kids or even unwanted moisture, there are many side effects of everyday life that can fill your home with a less-than-pleasant scent. If you can’t figure out where that ghastly odor is coming from, check these likely causes — you might find the culprit where you least expect it.

This one seems obvious — garbage stinks, after all. Little spills and crumbs can build up over time and form bad odors inside your can that linger even when you take out the trash bag (you should empty the trash regularly, of course). To deal with the lingering smell right away, use an odor-eliminating spray, which actually eliminates rather than covers up unpleasant odors. It provides a burst of freshness to clear the air in your kitchen quickly.

To clean the can properly, spray it with diluted bleach and let it sit for a few hours, says Abe Navas, general manager of Emily’s Maids housecleaning service in Dallas. Rinse it with plenty of water and then use soap to wash it out.

Another solution: Designate one trash can for “dirty trash” and take it out every day, even if it isn’t full, says Jennifer Snyder, a Waco, Texas-based certified professional organizer and owner of Neat as a Pin Organizing & Cleaning.

They’re very much a part of the family, but just like humans, they can get smelly. “When their hair falls out, bacteria grow—and it could get nasty really quick,” says Navas. To remedy this, bathe your pet often, and also clean the spots where they sleep and eat once a week with soap and water (no harsh chemicals). Also vacuum under beds and sofas to avoid hair (and odor) buildup.

Don’t put the dirty clothes basket in your bathroom, Navas says. Instead, keep it in your bedroom or another closet where it won’t be exposed to steam from baths and showers. “In a humid environment, bacteria grows and that’s what stinks up the place,” Navas says. If you have wet dirty clothes, do laundry ASAP.

4. Your front-load washer

Household appliances that come in constant contact with water can harbor mold, which is the perfect breeding ground for smelly bacteria, says Ron Shimek, the Minneapolis-based president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company. “Every time you open and close the washer’s door, moisture from each cycle is trapped in the seal,” he says. The detergent drawer can also trap moisture and mold. To prevent this, always leave the door and detergent drawer open for a few hours following your last load. And if you find mold, use a 1-to-1 mixture of white vinegar and baking soda to wipe down the affected areas.

Just like your washer, this is a popular spot for potential mold — and smells. “Its warm, damp environment is like heaven for mold spores, especially when there’s food particles left behind from your last cycle,” Shimek says. Fix it by regularly running an empty dry-heat cycle to flush out the interior, including the silverware basket, filter, panels and door gasket. If your silverware basket gets moldy, remove it and let it soak in the kitchen sink with diluted bleach and warm water for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly before replacing.

This is another common kitchen-odor culprit. The easiest way to avoid this is to make sure the inside of the garbage disposal is wiped clean, as grime can sometimes get trapped underneath the drain, says Dana Kofsky, a Los Angeles–based wellness expert behind Wellness Styled. You can buy garbage disposal deodorizers from popular brands, or DIY it by grinding a few thin strips of lemon, lime or orange peel in the disposal. This not only helps maintain a clean drain, but also acts as a deodorizer and diffuses your kitchen with a fresh citrus scent, Kofsky says.

You might think you love the smell of your new sofa, just like you love the smell of a new car, because it smells, well, new. But that scent is probably caused by volatile organic compounds, says Bart Wolbers, founder of Nature Builds Health. “Many people don’t realize that indoor levels of toxins can be 10 times higher than those found outdoors, and furniture is one reason for that finding,” he says.

VOCs can have a strong smell, but they can also be harmful to your health: The Environmental Protection Agency says they may cause headaches; eye, nose and throat irritation; and even more serious conditions, such as liver and kidney damage. The best way to get rid of VOCs is to get an air purifier that contains a carbon filter. If any new object in your home — from furniture to mattresses—continues to have a strong smell after a month, “You may want to get your money back,” Wolbers says.

(Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at www.realsimple.com.)