Ever walked into your home and thought, "Whoa, it smells like I've been cooking garlic all day!" when you haven't even touched a clove?

It's pretty weird when your place smells like garlic and you can't figure out why.

Don't worry, though – KarenGreens is here to help!

In this post, I’ll explain why this might be happening and how to get rid of that garlic smell in house.

Why Does My House Smell Like Garlic?

There are actually a few reasons this could be happening, and some of them might surprise you.

Here are the 4 most common ones:

Cooking Smells From Neighbors

If you live in an apartment or close to other houses, that garlic smell might actually be coming from next door.

Garlic's used in all sorts of cooking, and its smell can travel pretty far. It's sneaky like that – it can slip through shared ventilation systems, small gaps in walls, or even just through open windows.

If you notice the smell more around dinnertime or in certain parts of your home, especially areas that are right next to your neighbors, your neighbor's tasty dinner might be the culprit.

It's not their fault – garlic's just that powerful!

Dead Animals

This one's not so nice to think about, but sometimes small animals like mice, rodents or birds can get stuck in walls, attics, or crawl spaces and, well, pass away.

When this happens, they can give off a smell that's a lot like garlic, especially at first.

It's because of the sulfur compounds released during decomposition – yep, the same stuff that makes garlic smell so strong.

If you think this might be what's going on, it's best to get someone to check it out and remove the little guy as soon as possible because it could be a potential health risk.

Burnt Dust Or Oil In Heating System

Your heating system could be behind that garlic smell. I know, it sounds strange, but hear me out.

If you've got dust built up in your furnace or vents (which happens to pretty much everyone), it can smell a bit like garlic when it burns off. The same thing can happen with any leftover oil in the system.

This is especially common if you're turning on your heat for the first time in a while.

Usually, this smell goes away after your heat's been on for a bit, but if it sticks around, you might want to get your system checked out or cleaned by a professional.

Natural Gas Leaks

Now, this one's important, so pay attention.

Sometimes, what you think is a garlic smell could actually be the smell of natural gas.

Gas companies add a special chemical called mercaptan to natural gas to make it smell strong (kind of like garlic or rotten eggs) so you can tell if there's a leak. They do this because natural gas itself doesn't have a smell.

If you think this might be what you're smelling, it's time to act fast.

Open some windows to ventilate the area, get everyone out of the house, and call your gas company or emergency services right away.

How To Get Rid Of Garlic Smell In House

Now that we know why your house smells like garlic, let's talk about how to get rid of it. Here are some things you can try:

#1 Ventilate Your Home

First things first – open up those windows! Let some fresh air flow through your house.

This is often the simplest and most effective first step in getting rid of any unwanted smell.

If you can, open windows on opposite sides of your home to get a nice cross-breeze going.

Turn on some fans to help move the air around too.

This doesn't just help push out the garlic smell – it brings in fresh outdoor air. If the weather's nice, keep those windows open for a few hours. Your nose will thank you!

Also Read: Can You Use Bissell Carpet Cleaner On Wool Rug

#2 Boil A Pot Of Vinegar Or Lemon

Both vinegar and lemon are natural odor-fighters, and we can use them to get rid of the smell.

Grab a pot, fill it with water, and add either a cup of white vinegar or some sliced up lemons. Let it simmer on the stove for about half an hour.

The steam will help neutralize that garlic smell as it moves through your home.

Vinegar does have a pretty strong smell, but it goes away quickly and takes other smells with it.

If you've got a big house or the smell is really stubborn, you might want to do this in a few different rooms or over a couple of days.

#3 Place A Few Bowls Of Baking Soda

Baking soda can also get rid of the garlic smell in house. It's great at soaking up all sorts of smells!

Put some in shallow bowls and place them around your house, especially where the garlic smell is strongest. Leave them out for at least a day, or until you notice the smell getting better.

Baking soda works by attracting and neutralizing odor molecules in the air – pretty cool, right?

You even can even sprinkle some on your carpets or furniture, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up.

#4 Activated Charcoal Or Coffee Grounds

Just like baking soda, activated charcoal and coffee grounds are good at absorbing smells.

Put some in small bowls around your house and let them do their thing for a few days. These work by trapping odor molecules, kind of like tiny odor prisons.

You might need to replace them every so often if the smell is really strong.

As a bonus, the coffee might make your place smell pretty nice! Who doesn't love the smell of coffee?

Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Incense Smell

#5 Simmer A Pot Of Spices

Here's a fun one – fill a pot with water and add some nice-smelling spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, or orange peels.

Let it simmer on low heat and enjoy the nice smell it creates.

This method not only helps cover up the garlic smell but also fills your home with a warm, inviting scent.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of spices and fruits until you find a mix you really like. Your house will smell like a cozy café in no time.

#6 Deep Clean Areas With The Smell

If the smell's still hanging around, it might be time for some serious cleaning.

Focus on things that soak up smells, like carpets, curtains, and furniture. Use a mix of warm water and vinegar, or a store-bought odor-eliminating cleaner, to give everything a good wash.

For fabrics and carpets, you might want to try a steam cleaner – they're great at getting deep-down smells out.

Don't forget to clean places you might not think of, like inside your fridge, trash cans, or sink drains. These spots can harbor smells that add to the overall funk in your house.

Bottom Line

Dealing with a garlic smell in your house when you haven't been cooking can be a head-scratcher, but it's usually something you can fix.

Start by trying to figure out where the smell is coming from.

Once you know that, you can use these tips to get your home smelling fresh again.

Remember, if you think the smell might be from a gas leak, that's serious business – get out of the house and call for help right away. Otherwise, with a little effort, you'll have your home smelling great in no time!

Garlic Smell In House? (How To Get Rid Of It)