If your home has a smell you can’t seem to banish, there’s a good chance you can remedy the issue with a deep clean or a little preventive maintenance. Besides, these are good things to clean on the regular — whether or not they’re stinky. Start with the obvious culprits:
- Beyond taking out the trash when it’s full, you should also deep-clean your trash can weekly. We’ve found a sudsy scrub followed by a generous spray of white vinegar and water is effective at targeting stink.
- A full fridge clean-out can help you identify and chuck rancid produce hiding in the crispers, as well as wipe up any spilled, smelly leaks.
- After cooking and doing the dishes, cleaning the sink itself is an annoying but necessary task to eradicate odor-causing food and grease.
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Below, we’ve also laid out a few somewhat unexpected sources of funk worth addressing — especially if you can’t seem to locate where the lingering smell is coming from.
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Yes, you need to clean your books |
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| Katie Okamoto/NYT Wirecutter |
Books are made from porous materials that retain odors, so cleaning them can make your collection last longer. Start by dusting the covers and pages with a microfiber cloth. If they smell moldy or mildewy, seal the book in an airtight bag and leave it in the freezer for 72 hours.
Our full guide to cleaning your books→
Your washing machine may be overdue for a scrub |
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| Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter |
It might seem counterintuitive that a machine constantly filled with soap and water would get dirty, but since it’s removing all the dirt from your laundry, grime can build up quicker than you may think. Besides, cleaning it regularly helps ensure your machine runs properly.
How to deep-clean your washing machine→
One last thing: “This oil diffuser transports me to a botanical spirit realm” |
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| Ivy Elrod/NYT Wirecutter |
Writer Ivy Elrod swears by this reed oil diffuser to instantly teleport from her Brooklyn home to a breezy botanical dreamscape. Its fragrance includes complex notes of elderflower, cassis, sandalwood, and beyond. Plus, it brings a sort of elegant, European-apothecary look to any space.
A delightful gift for your favorite homebody→
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Smells great.
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