10 Common Sources of Home Odors & How to Get the Funk Out
Let’s be real — your home should smell like comfort, not confusion.
From last night’s fish tacos to that mysterious funk creeping in from the basement, unwanted odors can sneak up fast and overstay their welcome. While some smells are just part of life (we’re looking at you, garlic and gym shoes), others are signs that something needs cleaning, fixing, or deodorizing — stat.
At Bio-Bombs, we live and breathe odor science (so you don’t have to). Here’s our breakdown of the 10 most common sources of household odors — what causes them, and more importantly, how to eliminate them like a pro.
Top 10 Most Common Household Odors
1. 
Food & Cooking Odors
That pan-seared salmon might’ve slapped last night, but the smell is still hanging in the air today? Not so great. Cooking odors cling to fabrics, walls, and cabinets, especially spicy, oily, or fried foods.
Tip: Vent while cooking and wipe surfaces regularly. Still stuck? Use a Room Deodorizer Kit or wipe counters with Bio-Bomb Minis to clear the air for good.
2. 
Pet Odors
We love our furry friends — but dander, litter boxes, wet fur, and the occasional “oops” can funk up a space fast.
Tip: Keep bedding, crates, and litter boxes clean. For deeper odor neutralization, try a Room Deodorizer Kit or freshen pet zones with Bio-Bomb Minis without masking the smell.
3. 
Musty Odors
Got a basement that smells like grandma’s attic? That’s likely mold or mildew, caused by excess moisture and poor ventilation.
Tip: Use a dehumidifier, ventilate, and treat surfaces with a Minis spray solution. For wall-to-wall freshness, gas off the area with a Room Kit.
4. 
Garbage Funk & Smells
Old food + warm temps = trash bin of doom. Organic matter breaks down and releases gases (read: nasty smells) into your kitchen and beyond.
Tip: Take it out regularly, seal bags tight, and drop a Granule Pouch between your can and liner to keep things fresh.
5. 
Smoke Odors
Cigarette smoke, fireplace soot, or wood-burning stove residue can embed deep into fabric, furniture, and HVAC systems.
Tip: Smoke odors are molecular — which means masking them doesn’t work. Use a Room Deodorizer Kit to oxidize the particles and clear the funk at its source.
6. 
Harsh Cleaning Products
Bleachy, overpowering cleaner scents might seem fresh… until they linger and mix with other smells to create a chemical cocktail.
Tip: Rinse well and ventilate. If your space still smells like a lab experiment, reset with a Room Deodorizer Kit.
7. 
Body Odors
We’re talkin’ home gyms, teenagers’ bedrooms, and laundry hampers that have seen better days. Sweat, skin oils, and dirty clothes can add up.
Tip: Wash linens regularly. Steam clean mats or spray problem zones with Bio-Bomb Minis to restore freshness.
8. 
Stale Air
Rooms that stay closed up too long (guest rooms, storage closets, etc.) tend to develop a musty, flat smell.
Tip: Air them out regularly. If it still stinks, hit it with a Room Kit for a full reset.
9. 
Chemical & New Construction Smells
New paint, carpet, glue, or furniture often “off-gas” — releasing strong, sometimes headache-inducing odors.
Tip: Ventilate new items well and neutralize lingering VOCs with a Room Deodorizer Kit.
10. 
Plumbing Smells
Sewage or sulfur-like funk near sinks or drains? Could be a leak or backup issue.
Tip: Fix the root cause, then treat the space with Bio-Bomb Minis or a Room Kit to knock out the lingering odor.
How to Eliminate Household Odors (For Real)
Anyone can mask a smell with candles or room sprays — but Bio-Bombs doesn’t play that game. We eliminate odors at the molecular level using the science of Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂).
Why ClO₂ Works:
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Selective oxidizer = safe but strong
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Breaks down odor molecules without masking
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Penetrates air and surfaces
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Doesn’t harm fabrics, furniture, or HVAC components
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Safer and more effective than ozone
Whether you’re treating a funky guest room, post-cooking kitchen, or musty basement, our gas-off method ensures the entire space — not just what’s visible — gets neutralized.
Shop Odor Eliminators That Work
Explore our lineup of odor removal solutions — from whole-room Room Deodorizer Kits, to surface-targeting Bio-Bomb Minis, to long-lasting Air Freshener Bars for that extra layer of freshness.
No cover-ups. No gimmicks. Just real science that gets the funk out.
Need help choosing the right product?
Email us at info@biobombs.com or chat with us on BioBombs.com.
