5 Best Ways to Remove Chemical Smell in House

We all love that “new house” smell. That may sound like a good thing; unfortunately, it is mostly the fumes from volatile organic compounds emanating from new furniture, paint, and carpets.

Those volatile organic compounds are not just unpleasant to smell, but according to experts, they could be hazardous to your health. In fact, it is recommended to let furniture and carpets air out in the garage or outdoors overnight or, at the very least, open all the windows and running fans to get air moving and release odors.

But these aren’t the only household odors, and pet smells that we can encounter. Some chemical smells could act as an early warning device, letting us know that something’s wrong before things get too serious.

5 Possible Causes For The Chemical Smell in House

Here’s a brief list of odors (and familiar, everyday items they could smell similar to) that could give us a quick heads-up that something could be amiss.

Do you smell rotten eggs?

• If your heating system uses natural gas, it could be a natural gas leak. While natural gas is an efficient, safe, colorless, and odorless gas. Gas companies add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give gas a distinctive odor for easy detection.
• Who to call? What to do?: Turn off the gas and call your gas company about a possible gas leak. After turning off the gas, make sure that you don’t use any electronics or open flames around the area where you whiffed the rotten egg smell.

Do you smell something fishy?

• This might be an electrical problem. That fishy smell (sometimes also identified as a burning smell) could indicate that an electrical component is overheating or burning. The burning smells could be coming from frayed wires, overloaded circuits, faulty outlets, or other issues that need to be addressed quickly and correctly or could result in a fire.
• Who to call? What to do?: If you cannot identify the smell’s source, call a professional to investigate before the problem escalates.
• If you can identify the source of the smell, remove or replace the offending appliance and see if the smell abates soon thereafter. Call a professional to investigate if the odor persists before the problem escalates.

Do you smell ammonia?

• That ammonia smell could result from something far more serious than some spilled cleaning products. A sewer gas leak will involve the release of decaying waste and exposure to gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and methane.
• Who to call? What to do?: If you notice methane or ammonia smells in your home and have noticed either foundation cracks or plumbing problems simultaneously, leave the space immediately and call a plumber. If you remain in a space with a gas leak, you may have symptoms ranging from headaches to asphyxiation.

Do you smell something sweet?

• If you notice a sweet, cloying, slightly chemical odor in your home, it could be a freon leak or refrigerant leak. While freon, a type of coolant used in air conditioners and refrigerators, has no odor, when it leaks, it can create a sweet smell with an odor resembling chloroform or emitting an acetone smell.
• Who to call? What to do?: It’s time to call in an air conditioner expert. Continuous freon inhalation might result in nausea, headaches, and other worrying health symptoms. Those with a history of heart issues could be at higher risk.
• Even if you don’t smell anything peculiar, a hissing noise coming from your refrigerator or air conditioner can alert you to the problem.

Do you smell something musty?

• Musty smells could signal mold or mildew, which could lead to a bigger problem down the road, both for you and your home if left unchecked. It could also be coming from your pet’s bed.
• Who to call? What to do?: You can either call a plumber or look for water leaks yourself that could be causing the musty odor. Start with the usual culprits (under the sink, behind the refrigerator, etc.) when looking for wet spots. Then proceed to check the more inconvenient spaces (crawl space, basement, etc.).
• You can also use a digital hygrometer to monitor the relative humidity of each room in your house. If you get above fifty percent readings, consider using a dehumidifier for that particular room.

If you don’t notice any particular odors but suddenly experience dizziness, nausea, confusion, shortness of breath, or blurred vision, leave your home immediately, as this could be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak.

This could result from an appliance in disrepair, a clogged fireplace chimney, a ventilation failure, or running fuel-burning tools, vehicles, or appliances in your home. This can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death, so it’s important to leave your home immediately if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms.

Unfortunately, you might have to call in a professional home inspector as a carbon monoxide detector is truly the only way to know the toxic gas is present in your home.

Getting Rid Of the Chemical Smell in House

So you’ve checked everything and perhaps even called for professional help, been repeatedly told that there’s no pressing concern, but after all the hoopla, the strong odor remains.

Here are a few tips and tricks to rid your home of unwanted odor.

Let The Fresh Air In

Before you try anything else, open your windows. Newer homes are built to be more tightly sealed, allowing less airflow. Make opening windows an indispensable part of your cleaning routine.

You could also use an air purifier. Look for one with a charcoal air filter to neutralize odors, a HEPA filter for allergens, and an air-quality monitor.

Cross Off The Usual Suspects

A trash can filled to the brim or a forgotten gym bag in the hall is an obvious stink culprit you can eliminate simply by removing or cleaning.

You’ll have to work a little harder to find and remedy the more generalized atmospheric odors, and here, perspective is important. Try assessing your home the next time you return after a few days away. You’ll be better able to detect smells you might have become accustomed to.

Fight Kitchen Smells and Other Chemical Smell in House

When you cook, turn on the ventilation or exhaust fans to filter out odor and toxins and circulate the air. To check if your fans are working, you can use this simple test: Hold a square of toilet paper up to the fan cover while the fan is running. If the paper doesn’t stay in place, the fan is not doing much more than making noise and might need a deep clean or an outright replacement. Vacuum or wipe down the cover regularly.

After cooking, wipe down your kitchen surfaces with The Crown Choice Kitchen Cleaner Spray.

Also, be sure to empty your garbage often and keep your drains as clear of debris and gunk as you can get them.

The Crown Choice Kitchen Cleaner Spray – Powerful Natural Cleaning Spray – Essential Oil Scented

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Be sure to try out The Crown Choice Kitchen Cleaner Spray today!

Don’t Forget The Nooks & Crannies

Our old friend, baking soda, can help eliminate musty odors in cramped spaces. Here’s a recipe for a quick-and-easy DIY air freshener.

In a small mason jar, mix together half a cup of baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Poke a few holes in the jar’s lid, then let your homemade air freshener get to work with its odor-absorbing qualities.

If you’re looking for something with a stronger “kick,” try out The Crown Choice Air Freshener Spray.

The Crown Choice Air Freshener Spray – Gift Set – 100% Natural

• ✔️ AIR FRESHENER SPRAY SET: Our best-selling air freshener sprays as a gift set.
• ✔️ 5 BEST SCENTS: Indian Verbena, Madagascar Cookie, Spanish Citrus, Spa Bora, Lemon Zest.
• ✔️ ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS: No toxic chemicals. Great for highly sensitive people.

Be sure to try out The Crown Choice Air Freshener Spray. The Madagascar Cookie Vanilla Cinnamon scented one is a personal favorite.