Some households have a grimy smell? What causes it?

57 replies

Bronzeacorn · 08/09/2026 14:53

When I was a teenager I dated a guy and his home house (he lived with his mum and dad) was just grimy, not even particularly messy or cluttered... just badly maintained and never truly clean. Think brown rings on bath/sink grime on every surface. Their house had a smell I can't explain.... its not like a sick to your stomach smell, no animals in the house so not cat wee it was bearable but noticeable.... i can only describe it as greasy?? But I don't even know if that'd the right description.
I recently went into.a neighbours house and I noticed the same smell for the first time in 20 years. There is no judgment here I was just interested if other people have noticed this and what causes the smell? Do the homeowners get it? Could my house smell like that and I dont know? Just looking for others experiences I suppose out of curiosity

OP posts:

Slightyamusedandsilly · 09/09/2026 14:01

I worry about my house smelling. I properly clean at least once a week but have cats and I think pets add to household smell, as well as cooking (and I do cook proper meals). I have old carpets because I'm waiting to get new flooring. I'm not the most domestic and worry about it! I wish I was one of those 'love housework' types because I'd love an always tidy and clean home.

RedToothBrush · 09/09/2026 14:01

Cats, dogs and damp.

Biggest thing that gets me.

Even dogs that supposedly don't smell. Nope they do.

ThatRoseBear · 15/09/2026 22:15

Bronzeacorn · 08/09/2026 17:46

Do you get the feeling the residents of the house realise that their house/clothes smell or are they just nose blind to it?
It's one of my worst fears is that my house smells bad and I don't realise it. I mean I clean everyday and open windows etc but you never know how others perceive your home.

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I genuinely think they become nose blind but have poor standards of personal hygiene anyway. The houses are not clean so they won't be opening windows after cooking etc

garlictwist · 16/09/2026 01:27

Our house is very clean. We have windows regularly open, bedding changed, rarely fry food etc. and yet if we have been away for a day or two it smells so damp. I do worry that’s what it smells like to everyone else and we are just nose blind.

BibbityBoppityTwo · 16/09/2026 01:37

garlictwist · 16/09/2026 01:27

We have this same issue. I do think opening windows daily makes a big difference and when you’ve been away you haven’t been doing this. At least I hope that’s what it is!

Elsvieta · 16/09/2026 07:31

Film of grease and dirt on hard surfaces. Smell of it in soft furnishings. Damp. Stale sweat and dead skin in mattresses and pillows that haven't been washed or changed in years. God knows what in carpets. Sometimes dead rodents / insects under floorboards.

You can get nose blind. I used to live in a damp mouldy place (no central heating) and I remember moving, getting to the new place and opening the box with my clothes in and going, bloody hell, they stink. I think I spent two years being known as that woman who always smells of damp and I had no idea.

LarryForPrimeMinister · 16/09/2026 07:44

My house smelt funny for a bit didnt understand why as I clean every day. It was the oven. Cleaned it, went away. Now I use the air fryer where possible as I clean it after cooking and clean the oven once a month but its barely used now.

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