There's a strange smell

[saltire]

I don't know what or where it is! Its like that sort of stale smell that happens when you leave damp stuff lying around, but also a bit like smelly shoes. DH says it's like the lingering smell that you get after changing a dirty nappy. I've had all the windows open and sprayed air freshenr!

which room?

...how long have you been sitting at the computer contemplating this...did you dump some wet laundry nearby when you began mumsnetting...?

Sometimes, I sit here and can smell burning. Then I remember I put the dinner on 2 hours ago. The pans I've ruined...

PMSL at wanderingtrolley. I have been on and off mumsnet all day, but not for long enough to amke washing smell.

It's mainly in the living room, and seems to be in one corner, but i've pulled the sofa, hoovered under it and there's nothing there.

How long have you lived in your area? Stupidly, about six months after I moved to a new area, I spent two days trying to find the source of a bad smell. Eventually, I called out pest controllers who came to the house, walked into the kitchen and said "they're muck-spreading the field out the back" and left again.

If I'd have lived there longer I would have recognised the smell from previous years.

you havent re plasterd or decorated have you?

4 1/2 years. My neighbour has been in for a coffee, and she thinks it's like the smell of flowers that have been left in a vase too long -you know how the water gets that stale stagnant smell.

So it smells like
Damp washing
smelly shoes
dirty nappies
dead flowers!

is it you?!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, in the words of, er someone who described Mary Archer, I'm fragrant

When did you last get your carpets cleaned? The previous owner had cats and all the carpets stank. Place doesn't smell now they've all finally been replaced.

Has anyone spilt milk in that corner?

Is it coming from the wall, or the ceiling? Or next door? Or the sofa itself - has anyone had an accident there?

You can get rid of it with a clothes peg, obv.

Oops, must go!

PS Neighbourhood tomcat been in to visit? I had this experience and I was ready to commit felinicide, if such a crime exists.

ledodgy, I'm wondering if something is spilt. i work as a childminder, and because i live in a married quarter don't have a big kitchen, or a seprate dining room, so all eating has to be done in living room . I've pulled the sofa out again and i'm going to give the carpet a scrub to see if that makes a difference

Put bicarb down where you think the smell is coming from it may help neutralise it.