**How to Truly Eliminate Odors at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide from Experts on Removing Unpleasant Smells**

“It’s just part of life!”—a fitting phrase from Carlson that perfectly describes the sudden appearance of bad smells in a home. The sources of stench in a living space can be numerous, and they don’t always come from outside. Sometimes, we forget basic hygiene, act carelessly, and then find ourselves holding our noses. Our sense of smell is especially sharp when we return home from outside—until, after a few minutes, our receptors dull. That’s how our bodies work: the brain “blocks” unpleasant sensations, making it seem like the odor disappears. But it’s an illusion. Here’s how to tackle persistent smells in your home.

**Common Causes of Household Odors**
Unpleasant smells don’t appear out of nowhere—there’s always a source. Here are some likely culprits:

– **Spoiled food:** Not everything goes in the fridge. Fruits and vegetables, for example, are often stored in kitchen cabinets. Check for anything rotten that needs tossing.
– **Pets:** A treasure trove of odors. No matter how clean cats are, they follow their own rules—their litter box might just as well be your shoes, a closet corner, or even your bed. Dogs, meanwhile, adore rolling in repulsive scents (like other animals’ waste) and bringing them home, convinced it’s a fantastic aroma.
– **Old plumbing or clogged drains:** A common source of foul smells.
– **Neighbors:** Stale air can travel through vents. In big cities, hoarding syndrome (or worse, an unattended death next door) can force others to endure the stench while authorities decide whether to intervene.
– **Hallway odors:** Often from overflowing garbage chutes—especially unbearable in summer, which is why many newer buildings seal them off.
– **Pollution:** Urban life means car exhaust, power plants, and factories spewing not just CO₂ but other combustion byproducts.
– **Builder’s revenge:** A cruel prank—someone sealing a rotten egg or dead rat in a wall or vent—is rare but real.

**Effective Odor Removal Methods**

**Urine Smells**
For fabrics (clothes, bedding), a strong detergent and extra rinse cycle usually suffice. For hard surfaces:

– Sprinkle baking soda, wipe with hydrogen peroxide, then reapply soda and vacuum after 12 hours.
– Pre-treat with a vinegar solution (3–4 tbsp per 200 ml). Iodine, bleach, or potassium permanganate solutions also work—but bleach is toxic to pets, and others may stain.
– Skip DIY experiments and invest in pet-safe, hypoallergenic cleaners.
– For a hassle-free (but pricey) fix, hire professional cleaners with industrial-grade products.

**Pet Smells**
– **Store-bought sprays** (500–750 ml, ₽600–1000) neutralize odors instantly. A few spritzes on furniture, floors, or fabrics, left for 15–20 minutes before rinsing, do the trick. (One bottle lasts forever.)
– **DIY fixes:** Use diluted vinegar (1:4), baking soda followed by hydrogen peroxide, or scattered activated charcoal tablets. Avoid masking scents—perfumes or air fresheners only blend with the stink.

**Smoke Damage**
One of the toughest odors, especially after a fire. Soot and fumes cling to walls, furniture—even wallpaper.

– Air out thoroughly for hours to dissipate the worst of it.
– Clean with bleach, baking soda, or citric acid, or opt for specialized odor absorbers (gel-based, though coverage is limited).
– Place bowls of coffee grounds or vanilla powder around the house. Eastern markets sell sublimated incense in shapes like cubes or cones—sometimes effective.
– If all else fails: repaint walls, replace wallpaper, and hire deep-cleaning services for upholstery.

**Cigarette Smell**
– Ventilate immediately to remove heavy smoke, but lingering acidity remains.
– Steam-clean furniture (high-power garment steamers work well).
– Wash removable fabrics (curtains, couch covers, etc.).
– Mop floors and wipe surfaces with vinegar-water or commercial cleaners, then dry with a fresh cloth.
– Use tobacco-specific air fresheners, and air out the space daily for a week to eliminate residual traces.