Bed Bugs Have a Thing for Shoes + 13 Facts About Scents

If you’re smelling something fishy at home, and it’s not your delicious salmon dinner, then it’s time to check your electrical equipment. That stinky smell could mean your wires are frayed, your breakers are faulty, or your circuits are overloaded.

And let me tell you, those plastic-coated wires emit a smell worse than a tuna sandwich left out in the sun! So, don’t be a fish out of water and get your electrical system checked ASAP!

If you smell rotten eggs in your house, call the plumber straight away! The most obvious reason is the sewage and drain problems such as contamination, but such a smell can also be produced if you’ve got problems with the water heater. Another possible problem might be a gas leak — manufacturers add some distinct bad smelling chemical to natural gas so that people could notice even the tiniest gas leak on the spot.

This one may not be as easy to spot as a unicorn in Central Park, but it’s still important to know. Have you ever caught a whiff of something funky before your stove ignites? That’s the smell of carbon monoxide, and let me tell you, it’s no joke.

This sneaky gas can be extremely dangerous if you inhale too much of it, and the worst part is that it’s completely odorless and tasteless. That weird scent you’re picking up? It’s actually added to the gas to give you a heads-up that danger is lurking. So, next time you catch a funky smell coming from your stove, don’t just brush it off as last night’s leftover lasagna.

It’s not uncommon to find mold in your home wherever water is present and trapped, like an unknown leak in the walls. Mold spores can grow as a result of this moist patch and can cause pretty serious health issues.

Bed bugs have a thing for shoes. Yup, they love to hide in them — but only if the conditions are right. So, if you’ve got a pair of shoes that you hardly ever wear, watch out! Bed bugs might just be snuggling up in there for a cozy nap. But don’t worry, there’s a trick to keeping those pesky bugs out of your kicks.

Leather shoes are a bit too smooth for bed bugs to crawl on, so they’re less likely to hide in those. Athletic shoes, on the other hand, are like a playground for bed bugs. All those interesting textures and patterns make for the perfect hiding spot. So, if you want to keep bed bugs out of your shoes, just wear them regularly!

Those creepy crawlers don’t like anything that moves or gets disturbed often. And who knows, you might even squish a few of them in the process — talk about a win-win situation! So go ahead, put on those shoes and show those bed bugs who’s boss. Your feet (and your sanity) will thank you for it.

If your nostrils are being assaulted by an unpleasant odor, it might be time to check your mattress. Recent scientific studies have revealed that a 7-year-old mattress can harbor more bacteria than a sci-fi movie set in outer space — over 16 million colony-forming units per square inch! That’s enough to make even the bravest of us want to sleep in a hazmat suit.

But fear not, for there is a solution to this gross problem. Enter baking soda, the unsung hero of household cleaning. Simply sprinkle some of this magical powder onto your mattress, let it sit for half an hour while you go do something fun, like watching cat videos, and then vacuum it up with a brush attachment. Voilà!

Your bed will smell fresher than a field of daisies on a spring day. So don’t let those pesky bacteria get the best of you. And who knows, maybe your newly freshened mattress will even inspire some sweet dreams (or at least keep the nightmares at bay).

Have you ever noticed that your towel smells like a swamp monster’s armpit? Yeah, that’s because you’ve been using it for too long. Don’t be a bacteria hoarder, switch out your towel after three uses. And if you really want to banish those stinky germs, toss in some baking soda every now and then. Your nose and, if you share an apartment, your roommates will definitely thank you.

If your bathroom smells like a swamp, it could be because of stagnant water or some gross residue in the drain. Don’t worry, if the plumber can’t come until tomorrow, you can hack the smell by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the toilet paper roll. It won’t solve the problem, but at least you won’t feel like you’re suffocating.

Now, onto the stinky toilet brush. Squirt some scented detergent right into the holder or make your own DIY scent with distilled water and essential oil. It will get rid of bacteria and the essential oil will hide bad smells. Just make sure you’re allergic to the oils you choose.

Moving on to the dishwasher — did you know that mold can grow in there? Gross, right? Run a dry-heat cycle with no dishes but some vinegar instead. Make sure to flush all the interiors, including the filters and panels. And if your silverware basket is looking a little moldy, soak it in some diluted antibacterial detergent before rinsing it thoroughly.

Now let’s talk about weird sounds in your house. Clicking and knocking in the winter or fall could be from turning on the heating or radiators. If there’s condensed steam stuck in the system, try bleeding the radiators. And if you hear a bubbling sound, it could be a water leak or sediment in the water heater. Shut off the main water and listen — if the sound stops, call the plumber. If not, try draining the tank.

If you’re moving into a new house, check the walls and ceiling for any red flags. Fresh paint could be hiding something, so ask the landlord what’s up. And stay away from popcorn ceilings — not only are they ugly, but they contain asbestos!

Asbestos is like a bowl of alphabet soup. It’s made up of all these hard-to-pronounce crystal fibers. But don’t let their wacky names trick you — asbestos is one tough cookie! It can withstand high temperatures, chemicals, and even electricity. No wonder it was such a popular building material back in the day.

Asbestos is like a sneaky ninja — it can break down into teeny tiny fibers that are so small they can float around in the air for days! And if you accidentally breathe in these fibers, it’s like inviting a dangerous guest to your lungs. Yikes! So let’s give asbestos the boot and keep our lungs happy and healthy. Just be careful if you’re renovating an old home — you never know if you’ll uncover a surprise layer of asbestos roofing!

Odor-causing bacteria love to party in your kitchen sink and drain. And don’t even get us started on the garbage disposal scraps — it’s like a bacteria buffet in there! But there’s a fun solution for you. Once a week, throw a party of your own by inviting 6 ice cubes, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 3 thin lemon slices, and 1 teaspoon of bleach to the disposal. Turn up the music, ahem, turn on the disposal and let those ice cubes do their thing. When the party’s over, rinse with cold water for 30 seconds and voilà — a fresh and clean sink!

Your new sofa or cabinets could be secretly releasing some stinky gasses into the air. Yep, it’s true! These gasses, called volatile organic compounds aka VOCs, can make your nose and throat feel pretty irritated. And if that’s not bad enough, they can even give you a headache or make you feel dizzy. Yikes! But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. If you can, try opening up some windows to get some fresh air flowing. And if you’re on the hunt for some new furniture or home products, keep an eye out for low-VOC options. Your nose will thank you. Plus, who wants to be surrounded by stinky furniture anyways?