Ever walked into your house and thought, "Whoa, why does it smell like onions in here?"

It's a bit weird, especially if you haven't been chopping onions lately.

Don't worry, though - we’re going to help you figure out why your house smells like onions and how to get rid of that smell. By the time we're done, your home will be smelling fresh again.

How To Get Rid Of Onion Smell In House

Here are 6 easy ways to get rid of the onion smell in your house:

#1 Open All Windows And Doors

Let's start with the easiest fix - just open everything up!

Throw open those windows and doors and let the fresh air in. This helps push out all that stinky air and replaces it with nice, clean outdoor air.

If you can get a good breeze going through your house, even better. It'll help clear out that onion smell faster.

#2 Place Vinegar Bowls Around The House

Vinegar is pretty amazing when it comes to fighting smells because of its acidic properties.

Here's what you do: grab some bowls, fill them with white vinegar, and place them around your house. Put them where the onion smell is strongest.

Then just let them sit there for a few hours or overnight. The vinegar will soak up those smelly particles in the air.

And don't worry about your house smelling like vinegar afterwards - that smell goes away as the vinegar dries up, and it takes the onion smell with it.

#3 Simmer Fragrant Spices

Another thing you could try if your house smells like onions is simmering some spices.

Get a pot of water on the stove and toss in some nice-smelling stuff. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peels, or even a splash of vanilla extract work great.

Let it come to a boil, then turn down the heat and let it simmer. As the water evaporates, it'll send out a lovely smell all through your house.

It's a great way to cover up that onion smell and make your place feel cozy at the same time.

#4 Sprinkle Some Baking Soda

Baking soda is great at soaking up odors and it can get rid of the onion smell in the house.

Sprinkle it generously on your carpets, rugs, and even your couch. Let it hang out there for a few hours or overnight. Then, just vacuum it up.

The baking soda will take the smells with it when you vacuum.

For hard surfaces like countertops or cutting boards, mix baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste. Scrub it on, let it sit for a bit, then wipe it off.

It's great for getting rid of onion smells that might be lingering on surfaces.

#5 Light A Few Scented Candles

Scented candles won't get rid of the source of the smell, but they can help make your house smell nicer while you're working on the real problem.

Pick candles with strong, fresh scents. Citrus, lavender, or clean linen scents are good choices to fight that onion smell.

Put a few candles in different rooms and let them burn for a while.

#6 Use An Air Purifier

If you want a long-term solution, think about getting an air purifier.

Look for one with an activated carbon filter - these are really good at trapping smells.

Put the air purifier where the onion smell is strongest and let it run until the smell is gone.

The great thing about air purifiers is that they don't just help with onion smells - they can make the air in your house cleaner overall by getting rid of other yucky stuff in the air too.

Why Does My House Smell Like Onions?

Now that you know how to get rid of the onion smell in house, let’s talk a bit about what caused it:

Forgotten Food

This is probably the most common reason for surprise onion smells.

Take a look in your pantry, fridge, and anywhere else you store food. Sometimes an onion can get pushed to the back and forgotten. Oh and check the trash too.

If it starts to sprout or rot, it can really stink up the place. Even one bad onion can make your whole house smell.

If you find any food that's gone bad, throw it out and give that area a good clean.

Also Read: how to clean vomit from car seat straps

Mold Or Mildew

Sometimes what you think is an onion smell might actually be mold or mildew.

These funky growths can smell a bit like onions, especially if they're growing in hidden spots like behind walls or under carpets.

If you think it might be mold, look around for any signs of water damage or really damp areas. If you find mold, it's best to get a professional to take care of it, especially if there's a lot of it.

Humidity Levels

If your house is really humid, it can make smells stronger and create a musty odor that might seem like onions. Too much moisture in the air is also great for mold, which we just talked about.

To fix this, try using a dehumidifier. It'll help keep the humidity at a good level - usually between 30-50%.

This will help with smells and make your house more comfortable too.

Gas Leaks

Now, this one's not common, but it's really important to know about.

Some people say that natural gas leaks smell a bit like onions.

This is because of something called propyl mercaptan that's added to natural gas to make it easier to notice leaks.

If you think you might have a gas leak, don't try to find it yourself. Get everyone out of the house right away and call the gas company or emergency services from a safe place.

Gas leaks are really dangerous, so always let the professionals handle them.

Bottom Line

Having your house smell like onions when you're not expecting it can be pretty annoying.

But now you know how to tackle it. Start by trying to figure out where the smell is coming from - is it old food, mold, or just high humidity? Then use some of the tricks we talked about to get rid of the smell.

Remember, if you've tried everything and the smell is still there, it might be time to call in some help.

FAQs

Onion Smell In House But No Onions?

If your house smells like onions but you haven't been cooking with them, check your food storage areas for anything that might have gone bad. If there’s none, it could be mold or the humidity.

Is Onion Smell In House Dangerous?

Most of the time, an onion smell in your house isn't dangerous. But if what you're smelling is actually a gas leak or if it's coming from a lot of mold growth, that’s dangerous.

House Smells Like Onions (Here’s Why & What To Do)