Any theories on why my house suddenly smells strongly of varnish?

[NowIKnowHowToMakeHummus]

Wondering if anyone might have a theory for why my house randomly smells strongly of varnish?

I've had a day off work today, I pottered around the house doing some chores, used my usual products I've been using for years (ecover down the loo, smol glass cleaner on the bedroom window). Ate my normal foods all day (yoghurt, granola, fruit, toast, hummus), didn't make anything new or unusual.

Went out this evening from 3-12. Left the windows closed and curtains drawn.

Came home to an overpowering smell of polish/varnish. I think I've traced it to the bathroom but absolutely no idea what's caused it.

I live alone so no one else could have caused it.

Not worried in the slightest but curious and wondering if Mumsnet has any theories.

Are you the only one who can smell it?

If so it can indicate ketones relating to the onset of diabetes. (I have no medical knowledge, I think I read this somewhere.)

See if anyone else can smell it.

My friends house smelled of a solvent one hot summer when we visited. It was their kitchen compost pail. Only time it happened.

Are you eating keto? Even accidentally yesterday because of the heat?

Are you perimenopausal, OP? I have read that you can experience “phantom” smells during this time.

Are the neighbours doing DIY in an adjoining room to yours?

Is your house run on oil? We have an oil tank for the central heating & one year our kitchen smelled like varnish / white spirit. Turned out our outdoor boiler had an oil leak. maybe check your boiler?

Could the high heat from day to day be softening some varnish or glue so that it smells? I’ve had the paint on a metal garden bench go soft and that was painted about a year ago.

Rotten tangerines

Some bathroom product not sealed or leaking vapour due to heat, something varnished slightly melting.

Is it a downstairs bathroom. Any neighbours poured anything down the drain from having work done?

Could be rotting food? I left a tangerine in my bag once accidentally and it smelt so strongly of nail varnish! ,

Could it be the tin of varnish you left on the window sill?

rotting fruit smells of varnish

It's just the heat.

Reminds me of the Christingle orange unknowingly left in the bottom of DS’s school bag over the Christmas holiday. The hall started to smell but I couldn’t think what it was. Took me a few days to track it down 🤢

No, a friend stayed over last night and she could smell it too. Also the smell hit me as soon as I walked into the house, and varied in strength around the house.

Interesting! I've got a compost bin outside but take things out to it straight away, there was nothing in the kitchen that was rotting.

No, my neighbours do nothing but drink and shout.

Interesting! But no, all electric here except a gas tank outside connected to the hob.

Maybe? I'll go check my bathroom sealant etc.

I do have tangerines in the kitchen! They seem fine though, and the strongest smell was in the upstairs bathroom.

Surely the heat affecting any varnished surfaces in your home?