Do you notice an unpleasant smell whenever you go into your bedroom? Don’t panic; I’ve got your back!
Here are 10 easy tips to get rid of bedroom odor and keep it smelling fresh.
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What Causes the Unpleasant Smell in Your Bedroom?
A lot of different things can cause an unpleasant smell in your bedroom. You should take some time to investigate the situation and find the culprit before the odor becomes unbearable. You don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, I’ll help you by naming the most common causes that you can look into.
Mold
If you notice a musty odor, there’s a huge chance that there’s mold somewhere in your house or building. Mold can be hidden almost anywhere around your home. It can be inside walls, on windows, mattresses, and so on. Since it can cause many problems for your health and your home, you should act as soon as you can.
Aside from walls and windows, you should check your air conditioning vents, as well as curtains and furniture. What’s more, mold can grow around laundry baskets and behind sofas, so don’t forget to examine those areas too.
Pets
Another cause of the unpleasant smell can occur in case your pet had a little accident somewhere in the room, and it went unnoticed for a while. The urine can get into the carpet and cause it to stink. Thus, you should look around the bedroom to see if your pet has left you a present.
Old Stains and Spills
In case you have a bad habit of eating in your bedroom, you should know that old stains and spills from food can also lead to an unpleasant smell when left for too long. So, you’ll need to examine the bedroom and make sure that there are no old stains left somewhere.
Laundry
Do you keep a laundry basket in your bedroom? Well, that might not be a good idea. Dirty clothes create a perfect environment for bacteria and odor. Thus, if you don’t like to do laundry often, you should at least keep your dirty clothes away from the bedroom.
Humidity
Humid, stagnant air can trap particles such as dirt, dust, and even tobacco smell from the clothes. The air is usually humid in the summer, so you should make sure that your room is properly ventilated when the weather is warm.
However, in case the high temperature isn’t the reason for the dampness in your room, you should find the cause and remove it. If you need help with that, I have an article about the possible causes of high humidity that you can read.
Dust
Pet hair, insects, dirt, dead skin, and pollen are just some of the things that you can find in the dust. Thus, dust can really worsen the quality of the air in a room and cause an unpleasant smell.
Easy Tips to Get Rid of the Bedroom Odor
Now that you’ve found the source of the odor, it’s time to act! I recommend that you clean your whole room thoroughly no matter the cause of the unpleasant smell, since the odor can get into furniture, curtains, and other parts of your bedroom over time.
Furthermore, you should know that it won’t be enough to just clean your room once. If you want to prevent any unpleasant smell in the future, you’ll need to regularly repeat the steps from my list.
1. Dust the Entire Bedroom
Your first cleaning step should definitely be dusting. A lot of harmful particles, such as pollen, dead skin, and insects can remain trapped in dust and become smelly over time. Thus, this step is crucial, especially if you or someone in your family is allergic.
Besides cleaning shelves, tables, and the nightstand, you shouldn’t forget fans, air conditioning units, blinds, chandeliers, and electronics. For dusting, you can just use a damp cloth or some other tool.
The next thing you’ll need is a cleaning solution that you can buy or make on your own. You can also add lemon for a more refreshing scent.
You’ll just need to mix a cup of water with a cup of white vinegar and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Then, you should soak your rug in the mixture and leave it there for an hour or two. Aside from rugs, you can use old socks or T-shirts for cleaning, because they are as effective as cloths.
The next step is to squeeze the rug to make it damp instead of soaking wet and place it into a jar or a container. On top of it, you should sprinkle the rind of one lemon and then close the jar.
It’s best that you give the lemon scent a couple of hours to get into the cloth. In case the smell of lemon isn’t strong enough for you, you can always add a few drops of essential oil that you’ve previously diluted with water.
2. Clean the Floor and Carpets
Dust, bacteria, crumbs, and dirt fall on the floor and they’ll stay there until you clean it. In case you forget to do that for a while, your whole room will start to smell weird quickly. Furthermore, if you own a fluffy carpet, there’s a big chance that you won’t even notice spills or your pet’s accident. Thus, cleaning the floor and carpets regularly is an essential step in this process.
If you have hardwood floors, you’ll need to mix cleaning solution with water and apply it with a damp mop. You should make sure that the mop isn’t too wet, because it that case you’ll just end up moving the dust to the air.
Carpets will take a bit longer to wash. In case there’s an area that’s particularly smelly, you can sprinkle baking soda on it and let it sit during the night. My advice is to sprinkle baking soda all over the carpet, just to make sure that you don’t miss a spot.
In the morning, you’ll just need to vacuum and you’re done. If the problem is still there, you can try something stronger. For example, you can make a solution out of white vinegar and water. For more ideas, you can read my article on home remedies for cleaning carpets.
Your carpet is clean, but there’s still a smell that annoys you? You can always buy or make a carpet deodorizer. In case you need more information, I have an article about homemade and store-bought carpet deodorizers that you should check out.
3. Don’t Overlook the Walls
Do you know that odors can also be trapped in walls? To eliminate any unpleasant smell, you should mix three tablespoons of vinegar with a gallon of water. You can use a cloth or a sponge to go over every wall in the bedroom. You shouldn’t be worried about the smell of vinegar, because it will go away as soon as the wall dries out.
4. Wash the Curtains Every Month
I know that washing curtains can be tiring, especially in case you have ones that are made of delicate materials. But, this step is a must, because there’s a huge chance that the odor got into the curtains.
If your washing machine has a delicate cycle, you can use that one for more gentle materials. You can use a regular laundry detergent or one that’s specially made for delicate things. On the other hand, in case you’re worried about the material shrinking, you can always hand wash your curtains.
5. Clean the Furniture
The material of your sofa is attracting dust and other unhealthy particles. That is why it’s important that you wash it at least once a month.
Firstly, you should vacuum all the furniture in the room. In case there are any spills on your couch, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and water.
Furthermore, you can add a small amount of dish soap or castile soap. If you’re crafty and want to save some money, you can make your own castile soap! I’ve found a great video that will guide you through the process.
6. Wash Your Mattress
If you notice a musty smell from the mattress, it’s time to clean it. You’ll just need to sprinkle a little bit of baking soda which will absorb the excess moisture. Then, let it sit for a couple of hours and vacuum the mattress.
7. New Sheets Every Week
Since most of us sleep in clean PJs, a lot of people think that there’s no need to change the sheets often. But, that’s not true. We can sweat overnight, which will lead to bacteria and yellow stains in case our sheets stay wet for some time. Thus, you should change your sheets every week.
What’s more, you shouldn’t overlook pillows. They can also hold bacteria and moisture, which you’ll definitely want to prevent by washing them regularly.
8. Open Your Windows
As I previously mentioned, stagnant air can cause an unpleasant smell. That’s why you should do everything you can to prevent it from staying in the room. The easiest way to do that is to simply open your windows. Remember, opening windows and allowing the air to circulate is a much healthier option, even if you live in the city center where there are pollutants everywhere.
9. Buy a Dehumidifier
You’ll need to keep the humidity in your bedroom at the recommended level if you want to make sure that the excess moisture doesn’t cause a musty smell. You don’t know what’s the ideal level of humidity in your home? Don’t worry, I’ve got you. You can click here to read about the matter.
By purchasing a dehumidifier, you’ll make sure that your bedroom is a healthy place to sleep in. If you’re not sure where to start, I’ll help you. I have a whole article about the best devices for this particular area of your house that you should check out.
10. Purchase an Indoor Air Purifier
Indoor air purifiers’ main purpose is to clear the air from any pollutants in the room. While doing that, purifiers will remove sources of odors.
Indoor air purifiers are great gadgets to have around your home, but you should choose the type carefully. A lot of devices will just trap particles and release them back into the room. So, you should find something that is going to break allergens down.
In order to help you in your search, I’ve found a couple of great air purifiers that you can check out. The first one is Coway Mighty Air Purifier with True HEPA and Eco Mode. This device has a LED indicator that will let you know how polluted the air in your room is. What’s more, the purifier has a three-speed fan and a timer that will allow it to automatically shut down in order to save energy.
Another great device is LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home. It doesn’t use UV light or ions and it’s great for those with allergies. This purifier’s size and a low level of noise make it perfect for your bedroom.
The third one is Blue Pure Air Purifier. This device is great for smokers and people with pets. Blue Pure purifier is designed for small and medium-sized rooms and it’s quiet, so it won’t disturb you while you sleep. The device is also Energy Star rated, which means that it’s good for the environment, and it won’t use too much energy.
Keep Your Bedroom Odor-Free and Smelling Fresh
Now that your room is squeaky clean, you should add a few finishing touches in order to keep it smelling nice and fresh. The first thing you can do is to buy an air freshener.
But, in case you want a more natural solution, you can always make one on your own. You’ll just need to mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with water and put it in a spray bottle. In case you need a refreshing smell in the morning, you can use citrus oil. On the other hand, those that need something calming should always opt for lavender.
You can add a teaspoon of baking soda and you’ve got yourself a deodorizer for the furniture! You’ll be able to use it on any kind of upholstery.
Add Plants
The next way to add a nice smell to the bedroom is to put some plants. They will not only keep your room smelling fresh but they’ll also make the air inside the bedroom healthier. Plants with the most fragrance are roses, lilies, and jasmine, so make sure to put one of those in the bedroom.
Make Potpourri
You can also make a dish of potpourri and put it in the room. If you’re not familiar with the name, potpourri is a mix of scented things such as leaves, spices, and dried flower petals that will make your room smell amazing.
You can buy the mix in any home décor store, or you can make it on your own by simply drying out flower petals. You can also dehydrate oranges, lemons, or apples if you want to add their scents into the mix. To do that, you’ll need to cut the fruit into thin slices and bake them in the oven for an hour or two.
Buy a Candle
Candles are another way to add some scent to the bedroom. I advise you to avoid those with paraffin since they can be dangerous for your health. If you’re feeling confident, you can always make your own candle.
