10 Things You Keep That Are Making Your Home Smell Off

Even if your home looks spotless, it might not smell that way—and half the time, it’s because of stuff you’re holding onto without realizing how bad it’s gotten. Some things pick up odors slowly, and others are stink bombs from the start. If your house has a weird smell you can’t place, start here. These are the everyday items that quietly build up stink until you finally track them down.

Old Throw Pillows and Couch Cushions

Cushions and throw pillows absorb everything—body oils, pet smells, food, sweat—and unless you’re washing them regularly, they start to give off that stale funk. Even the inserts can hold onto odors.

If you can’t toss them in the wash, at least vacuum them thoroughly and spritz with a fabric-safe deodorizer. And if they still smell after that? It might be time to replace them.

Towels You Don’t Let Fully Dry

If you’re hanging damp towels on a hook or throwing them in a pile, they’re going to start smelling musty—and fast. That smell gets worse over time, especially in humid bathrooms.

Wash towels with vinegar and baking soda every few weeks to strip the odor, and make sure they’re drying completely between uses. If they still smell after a wash, they’re probably holding mildew deep in the fibers.

Forgotten Water Bottles and Sippy Cups

Reusable water bottles, sippy cups, and thermoses are easy to forget in a bag or car. And when anything with a rubber gasket or lid sits too long, it starts to smell sour or plasticky.

Take every lid apart when you wash these. Let them fully air dry, and check for mold in the creases. If there’s a weird smell you can’t get rid of, it’s time to toss it.

The Trash Can Itself

Even if you take the trash out regularly, the can itself might be the problem. Drips, leaks, and sticky residue build up over time, and eventually, you’ve got a lingering smell that won’t quit.

Take it outside and scrub it out with hot water and dish soap. Spray it with a vinegar or bleach solution and let it dry fully in the sun. Do this every few weeks to keep things from getting gross.

Worn-Out Sponges

Kitchen sponges are bacteria magnets. After a while, they start to smell sour even if they look clean. And every time you wipe down a surface, you’re spreading that smell around.

If it’s more than a week or two old, toss it. You can microwave damp sponges to kill bacteria in a pinch, but don’t use that as a long-term fix. Rotate them out often.

Pet Beds and Blankets

Even if you bathe your dog or cat regularly, their bedding still soaks up smells. Pet dander, saliva, fur, and outdoor smells all linger in those blankets and cushions.

Throw them in the washer at least twice a month, and use a detergent made for tough odors. If the smell doesn’t come out or it’s falling apart, replace it. You’ll be shocked how much fresher your house smells after.

Dirty Laundry That Hides

A sweaty gym shirt crumpled in the bottom of a hamper or a wet swimsuit tossed in a bag can start stinking quickly. If that laundry sits too long, the smell spreads to everything around it.

Make sure laundry gets done regularly, especially in the summer. Keep wet or smelly items out of hampers until they’re dry, and don’t let things pile up in closets or corners.

Overused Air Fresheners

When air fresheners or plug-ins are overused, they stop covering odors and start mixing with them. That creates a fake-sweet smell that’s more headache-inducing than helpful.

If you’re constantly trying to mask smells, figure out where they’re coming from instead. Clean the source, then use fresheners lightly—more like a boost than a cover-up.

Shoes by the Door

A pile of shoes near the entry might be convenient, but it also traps sweaty foot odors, outdoor smells, and everything your soles picked up during the day. Over time, it starts to smell like a locker room.

Rotate shoes out and give them time to air. If they still stink, sprinkle baking soda inside and let it sit overnight. A shoe rack or basket with ventilation can help keep things under control.

Old Food Containers in the Fridge

You know that container of leftovers that got pushed to the back corner? Or the jar of pickles you forgot expired two months ago? That smell seeps into the fridge and clings to everything else.

Go through the fridge weekly. Toss anything expired or questionable, and wipe down the shelves with a vinegar and water mix. A box of baking soda in the back helps keep it fresh longer.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.