Help! My House Smells Weird. Here's How to Find (and Fix) the Source

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Let's be honest - there's nothing worse than walking into your home and being hit with... something. Maybe it's a mystery funk in the kitchen, a musty smell near the laundry basket, or an oddly persistent odour in the hallway. Wherever it's coming from, one thing's for sure: You want it gone, fast. 

Don't worry, Nellie's is here to help you sniff out the source and kick those unpleasant odours to the curb - with a little help from our planet friendly products. Here's how to locate the stink and freshen up every corner of your home. 

1. The Laundry Hamper That Hits Back 

The Culprit: Damp towels, sweaty clothes, and forgotten gym gear are all prime suspects. 

The fix: 

  • Don't let damp items sit! Hang them to dry before tossing them in the hamper. 
  • Wash smelly laundry with Nellie's Laundry Soda and Oxygen Brightener
  • For stubborn odours, add a scoop of Oxygen Brightener to eliminate bacteria and freshen fabric naturally. 

Pro Tip: Keep hampers in well-ventilated areas - avoid closets or bathrooms.

2. The Trash Can of Doom

The Culprit: Drips, leaks, or food scraps that didn't quite make it into the bag.

The Fix: 

  • Take the trash out regularly (even if it's not full). 
  • Sprinkle Oxygen Brightener in the bottom of the bin between changes to absorb odours. 
  • Wipe down the inside of your trash can with Nellie's All-Purpose Cleaner and a Swedish Dishcloth to remove sticky residue and bacteria. 

3. Pet Beds, Litter Boxes & Wet Dog Woes 

The Culprit: Your four-legged family member (bless them). 

The Fix: 

  • Freshen up fur with Nellie's Fresh Dog, a waterless shampoo that's perfect between baths. Bonus: It's oatmeal mango-scented. 
  • Clean pet beds and blankets regularly with Laundry Soda - it's gentle on sensitive pet skin. 
  • Accidents? Blot and treat with Nellie's Pet Stain Remover, a lemongrass-scented spray that lifts odours and stains from carpets and upholstery. 

4. Your Mattress Might Be Smelly (Sorry) 

The Culprit: Sweat, skin cells, and everyday use. 

The Fix:

  • Sprinkle your mattress with Oxygen Brightener, let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum it up. 
  • Wash sheets, pillowcases, and even pillows regularly with Laundry Soda and Oxygen Brightener
  • For a deeper clean, see our full guide on how to freshen your mattress and bedding here. 

5. The Bathroom That Never Smells Clean 

The Culprit: Lingering toilet odours and buildup in hidden spots. 

The Fix: 

  • Spray Nellie's Toilet Spray with essential oils (hello, lemon-fresh scent) before you go to trap smells in the bowl. 
  • Scrub toilets weekly with Nellie's Toilet Bowl Cleaner and a brush to nix buildup. 
  • Wipe surfaces and behind fixtures with All-Purpose Cleaner

6. Musty Closets or Storage Areas 

The Culprit: Poor air circulation, old shoes, or damp linens.

The Fix: 

  • Declutter and rotate stored items regularly. 
  • Use moisture absorbers or bowls of baking soda to neutralize air. 
  • Wash stored blankets or sweaters with Laundry Soda before use to eliminate that "stale" smell.

7. The Kitchen Sponge That's Past Its Prime 

The Culprit: Bacteria buildup from food residue and moisture. 

The Fix: 

  • Switch to Nellie's Swedish Dishcloths, which are washable, reusable, and don't trap odour like sponges do. 
  • Clean your sink regularly with Dish Butter - It's perfect for cutting through grease and smells (and it's lemongrass-scented!).

Final Tip: Freshen the Whole Home Naturally 

Skip the synthetic air fresheners and get real about what's causing the smell. A clean space is a fresh-smelling space - and with Nellie's planet friendly lineup, you're just a few steps away from a home that smells as good as it feels.

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