There's nothing quite like walking into your home and being smacked in the face with a strong, unmistakable acetone smell. You know, that nail polish remover kind of scent that instantly makes you go "Uh oh, what is that?"

Yeah, that's not exactly the kind of welcome you want to come home to.

But don't worry, I'm here to help! In this post, I'll explain why your house smells like acetone and, more importantly, what you can do to get rid of that smell for good.

Why Does My House Smell Like Acetone?

The acetone smell in your house is probably coming from a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner or refrigerator.

These appliances rely on refrigerants to keep things cool, but if there's a leak, those chemicals can escape into the air, and give out that sharp, chemical odor.

But don’t panic just yet — that smell could also be the result of chemical off-gassing.

This happens when new furniture, paint, or cleaning or household products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.

The smell could also be drifting in from your HVAC vents themselves if there's a problem with the system. Or it might even be wafting over from nearby construction sites or businesses using solvents or paints.

How To Get Rid Of Acetone Smell In House

Now that you've got an idea of what might be causing that acetone smell in the house, it's time to take action to get rid of it. Here are some tips that can help:

#1 Open Windows And Doors

The very first thing you should do is just open up your windows and doors. Let in some fresh air and let the smell out.

It's pretty simple, but it works like a charm. Just make sure you open windows on opposite sides of the house so the air can circulate and take the smell with it.

Don't worry if it's a bit chilly or hot outside, just open them up for a bit and let the fresh air do its thing. You can also try opening the windows at night and closing them during the day if you're worried about the temperature.

And, if you have fans, turn them on to help circulate the air. This will speed up the process of getting rid of the smell.

#2 Check If It's A Refrigerant Leak

If you think the smell is coming from your AC or fridge, you need to check if there's a leak.

This is serious business, because a refrigerant leak can cause all sorts of problems, not just a bad smell. So, take a look around the appliance and see if there's any water or ice building up.

If you hear a weird hissing sound, that's a pretty good sign that there's a leak.

If you're not sure, just call a professional to come and take a look. They'll be able to fix it and get rid of the smell. And, don't try to fix it yourself, unless you're a professional.

You don't want to mess around with refrigerant, it's not safe.

#3 Check If It's Coming From A Product

Walk around and look at recent additions or changes.

Did you bring home a new piece of furniture? Paint a room recently? Use any cleaning products? Install new carpeting? These can all release chemical odors that smell like acetone.

New electronics, plastic items, or even some types of storage containers can also be the source.

Take a sniff around recent purchases or recently changed areas of your home. Sometimes the source is right under your nose - literally.

Then try taking the product out of the house or putting it in a room with good ventilation. If the smell goes away, you know it was the product.

How To Get Rid Of Acetone Smell In House

#4 Place Bowls Of Baking Soda

Baking soda can also help you get rid of that acetone smell in the house.

It's cheap, natural, and super effective.

Grab some bowls and fill them with baking soda, then place them in the areas where the smell is strongest. Leave them out for a day or two.

You can also sprinkle baking soda directly on carpets, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up. You can even try putting baking soda in the fridge or freezer to absorb any smells that might be coming from there

It'll help absorb and neutralize those chemical smells.

Plus, it's way safer than using harsh chemicals to mask the odor.

Also Read: Can you mix Borax and baking soda?

#5 Use Essential Oils

If you want to get rid of the smell in a more pleasant way, try using essential oils.

Some oils, like lavender, eucalyptus and lemon, are natural deodorizers, so they'll help get rid of the smell and leave your house smelling nice.

Just put a few drops in a diffuser or mix it with water and spray it around. Easy peasy.

Not only will this help with the acetone smell, but it'll make your home smell fresh and clean.

Just be careful not to go overboard - a little goes a long way.

And, if you have sensitive skin, make sure you do a patch test before using any new oils. You don't want to irritate your skin or cause any allergic reactions.

#6 Get An Air Purifier

If you're dealing with chemical smells all the time, an air purifier might be worth considering.

These things are designed to remove all sorts of pollutants from the air, including the chemicals that cause that acetone smell. Get one that's designed for your size of house.

And, don't just get any air purifier, get one that's got a good reputation and has an activated carbon filter - these are specifically designed to catch and remove VOCs.

These are the chemicals that cause the acetone smell, so you want to make sure your air purifier can handle them.

Bottom Line

A weird acetone smell in your house isn't something to ignore. It could be a sign of something that needs attention, from a small leak to HVAC issues.

These steps can help you track down the source and get rid of the odor.

If nothing seems to work and the smell keeps hanging around, it might be time to call in some help.

Your home should feel comfortable and smell good, not like you're walking into a nail polish factory.

House Smells Like Acetone (Here's What To Do)