I once moved into a new apartment, thinking that I’d managed to secure the perfect place, only to find that when I arrived, the place had a really bad smell, particularly in the bedroom. It was horrible and while I tried to air out the room for a few hours, nothing seemed to work. I contacted the landlord, who swore that he left the place clean, only to discover hours later that he’d forgotten to throw out a garbage bag that he’d inadvertently left on the top shelf of the bedroom closet (it contained contents of the old tenant’s refrigerator).
So, if you’ve moved into a new home and there’s a stench that you can’t seem to locate, or you found the source, but aren’t sure what to do about it, here’s a guide to help you deal with the smell.
Locate the Source of the Stench
- Try to pinpoint the area. Some smells you can pinpoint to a specific area of the house. These are the easiest to find and get rid of. If you can’t pinpoint the smell and it seems to be through the entire space, then the smell’s source could be in the air ducts or from the furnace fan. Check the basement or the area around the furnace and air source.
- Check the kitchen first. Most smells come from the kitchen. Refrigerators, cupboards and ovens may contain food that’s gone bad. Make sure you also check behind large appliances and on top of high shelves for things left behind that may have become rotten. I usually thoroughly clean the kitchen first before I unpack anything and that’s when I come across evidence of the last residents.
- Check for any standing water. Standing water will begin to smell if it’s left too long. Water can get trapped in the washing machine, the dishwasher or even bathtubs and sinks. If previous residents left behind buckets or pails, check inside to see if there’s any water or old rags or sponges.
- Check beneath the house. Sometimes animals or birds find their way beneath the house and don’t survive. Carcasses have a very putrid and unique smell, so you may recognize it as soon as you enter your new home. Animals and birds can also get into attics or walls, which is much more difficult to find and resolve.
- If you can’t locate the smell. Hire a professional. The source is probably hidden in the roof or walls and you'll need to have someone properly assess the air quality and to remove the problem.
