Mold and dusty odors.
Mold and dusty odors are common, especially in damp areas such as basements, laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Mold can cause serious respiratory problems and aggravate allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals.
It is important to remove mold as soon as possible. Small mold can be cleaned with a mixture of bleach and water, but for serious mold, a professional should be called in. To prevent mold from reoccurring, check for leaks, broken or cracked pipes, and consider improving ventilation, such as installing exhaust fans in affected rooms.
The smell of “new paint.”
While some people love the smell of freshly painted walls, others find that new paint can cause throat irritation, sneezing, coughing, headaches, and dizziness. The cause is the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in many paints, which give off an odor as the paint dries. The Environmental Protection Agency advises consumers to use low or no VOC paints for home interiors.
Always open windows and doors for ventilation when painting. After painting, place some charcoal, baking soda, or lemon dissolved in water around the painted room to naturally eliminate odors.
Burning, smoky odors.
Unless you have a fireplace, smoke or the smell of something burning is absolutely dangerous. Even if there are no signs of fire, something could be burning in the basement or in the walls. An ozone smell, which is common during thunderstorms, could mean overheated wires or appliances, overloaded circuits, frayed or loose wires, or breakers or fuses that are not the right size.
Check the outlet for sparks or burn marks, and if the problem persists, contact a qualified electrician. A “greasy” burning smell may indicate that the cookware is malfunctioning and not igniting all the oil in the burner. Contact a professional as soon as possible to have the appliance inspected and repaired. Also, oil spilled during refueling may give off an oily, burning smell. For more information, see our DIY rice cooker cleaning and care instructions.
Pickle Odor
If you notice a strong pickle smell in your home, it may be the odor of the chemical formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is classified as a dangerous carcinogen and volatile organic compound, but it is used in a wide range of manufacturing processes and products, including adhesives, resins, preservatives, fungicides, and fixatives.
Many manufactured homes use building materials containing formaldehyde in walls and floors. Carpets, upholstery, paneling, and pressed wood furniture are all sources of formaldehyde, which can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems in sensitive individuals.
Formaldehyde becomes a gas at room temperature and produces a strong odor called “off-gassing. In manufactured homes and building materials, this off-gas can take up to two years to diminish. To eliminate odors, open windows and doors and use ceiling fans or stationary fans as often as possible. You can also try covering carpets and upholstery with baking soda, letting it sit overnight, and then vacuuming thoroughly.
Wood Rot
A mixture of moisture, mud, swamp, and musty odors usually means that there is rotten wood somewhere in the house. It is then important to detect and tackle the problem before the structural integrity of the affected area is destroyed.
This is the most common area of wood rot.
- Floors, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, are prone to moisture buildup, ventilation is poor, and there may be water leaks from plumbing.
- Window sills and frames may have condensation on the glass, which seeps into the surrounding wood.
- Door sills and frames may weaken over time due to rain, snow, or ice.
Damaged or leaking gutters can allow water to penetrate into the house and damage frames, joists, walls, and foundations.
