My bedroom is stinky!

[FurrySlipperBoots]

And it's getting me down. If anyone has any magic solutions please share! So far I:

Keep the window open as much as possible. This is getting harder with the insects out now (I'm terrified of Daddy-long-legs!) and having the heating on in the evenings.

Keep bedding fresh. I try to wash it every week. I also use a mattress protector which is washed every time along with bedding.

Vacuum regularly, including moving the furniture so there's no dust accumulating. I've tried sprinkling washing powder on the carpet and hoovering that but it didn't really help at all.

Polish wood with beeswax polish. This makes it smell nice temporarily but I'm aware it's just masking any odours.

Have lots of scented candles around. Ditto.

Don't let worn clothes linger - they go in a hamper in the bathroom.

Deep wash the carpet every year or 2. It's an artificial carpet (part of the problem I think!) so I can't use chemicals but I don't wear shoes in the house and there are no pets in there, so no reason it should get especially dirty.

Don't consume strong smelling food or drink in there - no hot food or coffee etc.

Have checked the only fabrics other than the carpet - a cushion (does smell kind of musty actually, so might get rid of that, but it's not enough to be really significant), curtains (fine), dressing gown (smells like washing powder) and posh going-out coat behind the bedroom door (fine).

I think it's mostly the carpet, but don't know what to do about it! Changing it isn't an option. I've heard some people sprinkle bicarb over their carpet as a natural deodourizer, but that could get expensive! Any other hints and tips?

Wash the curtains anyway. When I did that, the room smelled amazing for weeks. Up close they didn't smell bad but they must have been a bit stale and the freshness after having washed them was worth the hassle. Also, could it be damp> Try a dehumidifier maybe. And now it's getting chillier, rub some of your favourite fabric conditioner onto the radiator.

When did you last air your pillows and duvet? I hang mine on the line occasionally and think it helps. Or wash them, although the launderette charged me so much for washing a duvet that it would have been the same to replace.

You can buy a big box of bicarb in wilko, in the cleaning aisle, instead of the tiny tubs in the cooking aisles of supermarkets.

As PP suggested, could your duvet and pillows need washed or replaced? We have pillow protectors as well as a mattress protector.

Sprinkle bicarb on mattress and carpet, leave for a while and then hoover.

Leave windows open in day time if you can.

Sorry, also meant to say, bags of bicarb in cleaning aisle in all supermarkets - much cheaper than the tiny tubs you'll find in other sections.

What does it smell of? Body odour/ mould would have v different solutions. Ditto if you’ve got a dead mouse under the floorboards! It’s quite unusual to keep noticing a smell when you live in it, so it sounds like it must be a strong odour?

I would bet it is your carpet underlay if the room smells like old dirt. Only way to get rid of the smell is to get rid of the carpet and underlay and clean the floorboards, air the floor.

As for insects, I use sticky backed velcro and attach netting (Lill net curtains from IKEA) which can be peeled back to open and close the windows but the net is fine enough to keep bugs out.

Most likely a dead mouse

Yes - when I had this problem it was a dead rodent under the floor

You've got to change the carpet. It sounds awful poor you OP