How To Get Rid Of Old People Smell In House

You know that smell that makes you think of old people when you walk into a house? It doesn't smell bad, but you can definitely smell it in the air, on furniture, and in the curtains. It doesn't mean you don't take care of your home or that you don't clean it well, it just means it could use a little sprucing up.

The good news? You don't need expensive gadgets or strong chemicals. You can make your home feel new again with a few simple, thoughtful steps and a little care.

1. Let in fresh air 

Open those windows first. It's the easiest and most powerful change you can make. Box fans or ceiling fans can help create a cross-breeze that gets rid of stale air that has built up over time, especially in homes where doors and windows are closed most of the day.

Letting your house "breathe" naturally for an hour or two can make the mood and atmosphere better.

2. Deep Clean Fabrics

Fabrics are the worst at holding smells. Textiles, on the other hand, soak up oils, sweat, and natural skin compounds over time, which makes the smell last even after a quick wipe down.

Here's how to make them new again:

• Drapes and curtains: Every few months, wash your lightweight curtains. If your drapes are heavy, you can use a handheld steam cleaner or hire a professional.

• For upholstered furniture, sprinkle baking soda on the cushions, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up well. A steam cleaning service can work wonders for smells that are really deep.

• Rugs and carpets soak up smells like sponges. Once a week, vacuum your carpets and think about using an enzyme-based carpet spray that breaks down organic compounds instead of just covering them up.

• Mattresses and pillows: Even with covers, they still smell. If you can, let them air out in the sun (UV rays kill bacteria naturally) and every few weeks, sprinkle baking soda on them to freshen them up.

3. Put Some Plants in Your Home

Houseplants not only look nice, but they also filter the air and get rid of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can make musty smells worse. NASA's Clean Air Study found a number of plants that are very good at cleaning up pollutants in the home.

• Spider plants don't need much care and do a great job of cleaning the air.

• Peace lilies are great at getting rid of mold spores and VOCs, but they are bad for pets.

• Snake plants (Sansevieria) do well in low light and give off oxygen at night, so they are great for bedrooms.

• English Ivy: Helps get rid of mold and mustiness in damp rooms by lowering the amount of mold in the air.

Adding a few of these plants around the house can make it feel fresher and more alive.

4. Laundry Care: Keep Smells Away

Clothes, sheets, and bedding are closest to the skin, so they soak up 2-Nonenal and other natural oils quickly. Putting them in hampers or piles that aren't washed makes smells stronger and harder to get rid of.

• Bedding should be washed about once a week to keep it clean and comfortable

• Detergents and Boosters: Use enzymatic detergents that break down oils and proteins. To make the smell-fighting power even stronger, add 1 cup of white vinegar or 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle.

• Drying: Always make sure your clothes are completely dry before folding them. Damp clothes are a great place for bacteria and mildew to grow.

• Important Tip: If you can, air-dry delicate items or things that need to be washed often in the sun. Sunlight naturally cleans and deodorizes fabrics.

To learn effective ways to get rid of these odors, you can read our guide on removing nonenal odor from clothes.

5. Get rid of smells naturally

nstead of using heavy sprays that only mask smells for a short time, look for natural, non-toxic products that get rid of odors at their source.

• Bowls of Baking Soda: Put small bowls of baking soda in places where they won't be seen, like closets, under couches, or near laundry hampers. Change it every few weeks.

• Activated Charcoal Bags: You can use these smell absorbers over and over again; just leave them in the sun once a month to "recharge" them. Great for living rooms and bedrooms.

• White Vinegar Air Mist: To make this, fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar and lightly mist the air. The smell of vinegar goes away quickly, but it gets rid of the mustiness that lasts.

• Essential Oils (Light Use): Adding a few drops of lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender to a diffuser can make a room smell fresh. Use scents that aren't too strong. According to Healthline’s guide on using essential oils, choosing the right oils and using them properly can maximize the benefits without overwhelming the senses.

These methods don't just cover up smells, they also get rid of them from the air and surfaces, leaving a clean, neutral base.

6. Help with personal care and hygiene

Personal care is just as important as cleaning the house because smells that come from the skin, like 2-Nonenal, are caused by aging.

At Mirai Clinical, our formulas in soaps and washes are scientifically crafted to reduce 2-Nonenal right at the source This keeps your loved ones smelling fresh and keeps the smell from getting into fabrics and the air.

Getting rid of that "old person" smell doesn't have to be hard. It mostly comes down to having good airflow, keeping things clean, and using a few smart tricks.

Start by opening windows to let in fresh air, cleaning all of the fabrics and soft furnishings, changing the air filters, and wiping down all of the surfaces. After that, you can add some finishing touches, like scented candles, indoor plants, odor absorbers, or a few drops of essential oil.

The musty smell will slowly go away, and your home will smell fresh, welcoming, and comfortable again.