Smell that? Some odors are easy to place. Others are harder to pinpoint, especially if you’ve just cleaned or taken out the trash. There are a number of sources for hidden house smells. If you’re not sure where to look, read this first.

Hidden House Smells

The way a house smells can be inviting and also off-putting. A delicious dinner should tickle the senses while it’s cooking or baking. However, leftover scraps and poor ventilation can leave behind a less-than-appetizing odor. If you get a whiff of something unpleasant, but can’t seem to place it, here are some of the most common sources for hidden house smells:

• Mold and mildew. Dark, damp, and humid areas of your home—such as bathrooms, air ducts, insulation, and under sinks—are breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Moisture from leaks. Condensation, plumbing drips, and leaky roofs can saturate building materials overtime.
• Poor ventilation. Whether you’re cooking, showering, or doing laundry, improper airflow traps moisture and pollutes the air with odor-causing microorganisms.
• Contaminated HVAC. Dust, mold, and bacteria that gathers on filters, coils, and ductwork ends up circulating throughout the house.
• Porous materials. Old carpets, upholstery, and curtains absorb and trap odors from dirt, dust, and whatever is circulating in the air.
• Pets and pests. Accidents and droppings don’t smell great.
• Sewage. Issues with sewer lines can cause odors to back up into the home.

If you keep your home clean and well-ventilated, ruled out leaks, and regularly change air filters, there are a few more places to look for odors.

• Basements, attics, and crawl spaces. These areas tend to be more humid and could be housing pests.
• Behind walls and under floors. Unfortunately, sometimes leaks, mold, and pests can be hidden from view.
• Appliances. Even if your pipes aren’t leaking, your fridge, dishwasher, and water heater can cause moisture issues.
• Closets, laundry rooms, and air ducts. Proper airflow in these areas are important to prevent trapping moisture and odors.

Now that you know what that smell could be and where to look for it, pay more attention to these problem areas the next time you clean. If the smell still lingers, call JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care to deep clean your carpets, upholstery, flooring, and more.