What workarounds did people try for "Why is there a mystery wet dog or sour smell in the house?"?

Community members documented 87 workarounds: 1. using a dehumidifier 2. leaving bedroom doors open 3. opening windows 4. using an air purifier 5. opening windows to air out rooms 6. washing couch covers and throws 7. airing out furniture 8. spraying with vinegar 9. changing filters regularly 10. checking outside by the main unit 11. scrubbing floors with bleach and odor eliminators 12. patching exterior foundation cracks 13. testing for radon 14. planning to remove old ceiling insulation 15. Giving the cat a little wash 16. Getting a vet checkup and running bloodwork 17. Addressing litter box odors 18. Opening all the windows while cooking 19. Leaving windows open 20. Running an air purifier 21. Using scent absorber products 22. Planning to steam mop and burn candles 23. Recleaning to remove leftover cleaning products 24. Checking behind or under the refrigerator 25. Waiting for the smell to dissipate over time 26. Checking for potential dead animals or decaying landscaping and mulch 27. Refraining from driving the vehicle until the issue is diagnosed 28. Inspecting components like the fuel rail and injectors for potential seeping or leaks 29. emptying and vacuuming the car 30. cleaning carpets and fabric with a carpet scrubber and upholstery solution 31. scrubbing floor mats with Dawn and a deck brush 32. spraying hard surfaces with disinfectant 33. checking the engine bay and cabin air filter for dead rodents and replacing filters 34. checking the spare-tire well 35. spraying Febreze and leaving the windows down 36. cleaning and then wiping down or rinsing with water 37. waiting for the cleaner to dry and the smell to fade on its own 38. using an ozone machine 39. scrubbing the trash can and using fresh bags 40. searching everywhere for dead mice or rotting material 41. washing towels on hot without detergent and testing them in rooms 42. Sniffing around individual fixtures like the sink and shower 43. Trying to open the toilet cistern 44. Implementing a sit-to-pee rule for males in the household 45. Checking if the smell is originating from the mop or mop water used 46. Bathing the dog more frequently with dog-friendly shampoo 47. Changing cleaning methods and products 48. Using damp towels or baby wipes to spot clean and wipe down fur 49. Brushing regularly and using an undercoat rake 50. Planning to visit a vet or professional groomer for advice and medical checkups 51. running multiple dehumidifiers and an air purifier 52. considering painting walls with lime wash 53. Consulting crawlspace specialist companies for quotes on full encapsulation 54. Researching reviews and community advice on moderate climate crawlspace management 55. Considering a full crawlspace cleanup, replacing old insulation, and running a dehumidifier 56. Climbing up to inspect the area where the smell is coming from 57. Guessing which professional to call 58. Checking garbage disposals, sewage caps, drains, and toilets 59. Searching pantries, fridges, behind appliances, and furniture for perishables 60. Sweeping and mopping floors in case of unknown spills 61. Planning to open windows once the rain stops 62. Replacing air filters regularly 63. Checking with ChatGPT or online groups for advice 64. Asking maintenance technicians to check evaporator coils and drain pans 65. washing walls, baseboards, sheets, and mattress protectors 66. using air purifiers with charcoal filters 67. applying peppermint oil under the nose to mask smells 68. Hiring HVAC technicians to inspect the system 69. Having building maintenance check for improper seals or leaks 70. Checking exterior air intakes to see if the smell is coming from outside 71. cleaning surfaces with Lysol, vinegar, and baking soda 72. leaving out bowls of baking soda to absorb odors 73. burning candles to mask the smell 74. calling maintenance to check for leaks 75. snaking drains and checking appliances for clogged filters 76. using plug-in air fresheners and scented candles 77. spraying odor eliminating sprays or hypochlorous acid 78. running a plug-in air purifier 79. checking walls, vents, and under floorboards for mold or dead pests 80. Opening windows throughout the house to let fresh air in 81. Checking for dead animals trapped in the walls or crawlspace 82. Identifying if neighbors are smoking marijuana nearby 83. Cleaning the interior repeatedly and replacing cabin air and AC filters. 84. Using a pet dog or cat to sniff out the source of the smell. 85. Leaving a window cracked and waiting several weeks for the source to dry out. 86. Hiring an auto detailer instead of a mechanic to dismantle parts and find it. 87. Sneaking into their laundry room to quietly investigate the detergents being used.

Why is there a mystery wet dog or sour smell in the house?

An unexplained, lingering odor resembling wet dog, sourness, or sweetcorn transfers unpredictably onto household fabrics in rooms like the bedroom, leaving people unable to trace its source. Because the smell appears in random places despite no obvious cause, it prevents occupants from successfully eliminating it.

Overview

Last updated Nov 1, 2026

People affected35 accounts across 11 forums

Workarounds found87 items attempted

Community agreement150 total upvotes

What the numbers show

Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count

People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
This comes up 8.3× more often in r/CleaningTips than across the site as a whole.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

87 items+ Contribute

Found another way around this?

Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.

1
using a dehumidifier
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
2
leaving bedroom doors open
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
3
opening windows
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
4
using an air purifier
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
5
opening windows to air out rooms
2 people mentioned
Did this help you?
6
washing couch covers and throws
Did this help you?
7
airing out furniture
Did this help you?
8
spraying with vinegar
Did this help you?
9
changing filters regularly
Did this help you?
10
checking outside by the main unit
Did this help you?
11
scrubbing floors with bleach and odor eliminators
Did this help you?
12
patching exterior foundation cracks
Did this help you?
13
testing for radon
Did this help you?
14
planning to remove old ceiling insulation
Did this help you?
15
Giving the cat a little wash
Did this help you?
16
Getting a vet checkup and running bloodwork
Did this help you?
17
Addressing litter box odors
Did this help you?
18
Opening all the windows while cooking
Did this help you?
19
Leaving windows open
Did this help you?
20
Running an air purifier
Did this help you?
21
Using scent absorber products
Did this help you?
22
Planning to steam mop and burn candles
Did this help you?
23
Recleaning to remove leftover cleaning products
Did this help you?
24
Checking behind or under the refrigerator
Did this help you?
25
Waiting for the smell to dissipate over time
Did this help you?
26
Checking for potential dead animals or decaying landscaping and mulch
Did this help you?
27
Refraining from driving the vehicle until the issue is diagnosed
Did this help you?
28
Inspecting components like the fuel rail and injectors for potential seeping or leaks
Did this help you?
29
emptying and vacuuming the car
Did this help you?
30
cleaning carpets and fabric with a carpet scrubber and upholstery solution
Did this help you?
31
scrubbing floor mats with Dawn and a deck brush
Did this help you?
32
spraying hard surfaces with disinfectant
Did this help you?
33
checking the engine bay and cabin air filter for dead rodents and replacing filters
Did this help you?
34
checking the spare-tire well
Did this help you?
35
spraying Febreze and leaving the windows down
Did this help you?
36
cleaning and then wiping down or rinsing with water
Did this help you?
37
waiting for the cleaner to dry and the smell to fade on its own
Did this help you?
38
using an ozone machine
Did this help you?
39
scrubbing the trash can and using fresh bags
Did this help you?
40
searching everywhere for dead mice or rotting material
Did this help you?
41
washing towels on hot without detergent and testing them in rooms
Did this help you?
42
Sniffing around individual fixtures like the sink and shower
Did this help you?
43
Trying to open the toilet cistern
Did this help you?
44
Implementing a sit-to-pee rule for males in the household
Did this help you?
45
Checking if the smell is originating from the mop or mop water used
Did this help you?
46
Bathing the dog more frequently with dog-friendly shampoo
Did this help you?
47
Changing cleaning methods and products
Did this help you?
48
Using damp towels or baby wipes to spot clean and wipe down fur
Did this help you?
49
Brushing regularly and using an undercoat rake
Did this help you?
50
Planning to visit a vet or professional groomer for advice and medical checkups
Did this help you?
51
running multiple dehumidifiers and an air purifier
Did this help you?
52
considering painting walls with lime wash
Did this help you?
53
Consulting crawlspace specialist companies for quotes on full encapsulation
Did this help you?
54
Researching reviews and community advice on moderate climate crawlspace management
Did this help you?
55
Considering a full crawlspace cleanup, replacing old insulation, and running a dehumidifier
Did this help you?
56
Climbing up to inspect the area where the smell is coming from
Did this help you?
57
Guessing which professional to call
Did this help you?
58
Checking garbage disposals, sewage caps, drains, and toilets
Did this help you?
59
Searching pantries, fridges, behind appliances, and furniture for perishables
Did this help you?
60
Sweeping and mopping floors in case of unknown spills
Did this help you?
61
Planning to open windows once the rain stops
Did this help you?
62
Replacing air filters regularly
Did this help you?
63
Checking with ChatGPT or online groups for advice
Did this help you?
64
Asking maintenance technicians to check evaporator coils and drain pans
Did this help you?
65
washing walls, baseboards, sheets, and mattress protectors
Did this help you?
66
using air purifiers with charcoal filters
Did this help you?
67
applying peppermint oil under the nose to mask smells
Did this help you?
68
Hiring HVAC technicians to inspect the system
Did this help you?
69
Having building maintenance check for improper seals or leaks
Did this help you?
70
Checking exterior air intakes to see if the smell is coming from outside
Did this help you?
71
cleaning surfaces with Lysol, vinegar, and baking soda
Did this help you?
72
leaving out bowls of baking soda to absorb odors
Did this help you?
73
burning candles to mask the smell
Did this help you?
74
calling maintenance to check for leaks
Did this help you?
75
snaking drains and checking appliances for clogged filters
Did this help you?
76
using plug-in air fresheners and scented candles
Did this help you?
77
spraying odor eliminating sprays or hypochlorous acid
Did this help you?
78
running a plug-in air purifier
Did this help you?
79
checking walls, vents, and under floorboards for mold or dead pests
Did this help you?
80
Opening windows throughout the house to let fresh air in
Did this help you?
81
Checking for dead animals trapped in the walls or crawlspace
Did this help you?
82
Identifying if neighbors are smoking marijuana nearby
Did this help you?
83
Cleaning the interior repeatedly and replacing cabin air and AC filters.
Did this help you?
84
Using a pet dog or cat to sniff out the source of the smell.
Did this help you?
85
Leaving a window cracked and waiting several weeks for the source to dry out.
Did this help you?
86
Hiring an auto detailer instead of a mechanic to dismantle parts and find it.
Did this help you?
87
Sneaking into their laundry room to quietly investigate the detergents being used.
Did this help you?

Tried another approach not listed above?+ Share your workaround ↑

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/CleaningTips13 people · September 2026 – November 2026

“My parents smell weird, and I’m trying to figure out what it could be so I can try and fix it without just approaching them with “you guys smell weird”.”source ↗

“After they watch her, the smell sticks to her for the rest of the day.”source ↗

“Wheneverthey come to visit my house it lingers in the air even after they leave.”source ↗

Either_Wing_7069 · r/CleaningTips · 176 upvotes

“I’m pregnant so I’m like a hound dog right now and the smell is making me sick.”source ↗

justamoonandstar · r/CleaningTips · 32 upvotes

“I opened the door to a foul odor. It smells like I left out trash and food for literal days or even weeks.”source ↗

“I can’t find a definitive identifiable source.”source ↗

“One of my worsts fears, me and my home smelling like a garbage dump. I’m honestly spiraling it’s 11:48pm and I’m still looking for a source.”source ↗

Jessiicaamn · r/CleaningTips · 17 upvotes

“Recently, I’ve noticed this really disgusting wet dog/egg-like smell on most of the dishes.”source ↗

“I’ve even tried being extra thorough, but the smell still seems to be there after it dries down a bit.”source ↗

“It’s honestly driving me insane 😭 Has anyone experienced something similar or have any idea what could be causing it? And what can I do to get rid of it?”source ↗

Money-Rub4302 · r/CleaningTips · 5 upvotes

“my bathroom started smelling like a public bathroom. i don’t know where it’s coming from, i tried smelling the sink and shower but doesn’t seem to come from there.”source ↗

Bubbly-Pop4858 · r/CleaningTips · 3 upvotes

“I could also describe it as maybe like stinky feet, maybe kind of sour.”source ↗

“I've started smelling it in the bedroom somewhere.”source ↗

“I'm just completely at a loss to understand even if it is dog smell why is it happening in seemingly random places.”source ↗

Errantry-And-Irony · r/CleaningTips · 2 upvotes

“New Apartment Smells like Pickles?”source ↗

“We’ve tried leaving the windows open, running an air purifier, and using those scent absorber things.”source ↗

Mammoth-Phase2148 · r/CleaningTips · 2 upvotes

“I’ve recently moved into a new apartment... I’ve been having this problem where I feel like there’s like this stale or dirty smell.”source ↗

“I’ve genuinely used Lysol and soap everywhere and put out bowls of baking soda and nothing has helped.”source ↗

“Even candles don’t mask the smell, it’s so off putting because it’s like not horrific it’s just not neutral either.”source ↗

“It’s all around the kitchen area like around the counter and around the sink but I’ve cleaned the sink with vinegar/baking sofa then hot water.”source ↗

tomiee666 · r/CleaningTips · 2 upvotes

“i live alone and never had a pee accident 😭”source ↗

Bubbly-Pop4858 · r/CleaningTips · 1 upvotes

“When I was pregnant, EVERYTHING in my house smelled old, musty, and sickly.”source ↗

LeaveOld3526 · r/CleaningTips · 1 upvotes

“My first trimester I suddenly could smell the sink in the bathroom.”source ↗

Initial-Fix6953 · r/CleaningTips · 1 upvotes

“I’ve been noticing this scent for years now and nothing I’ve done has worked.”source ↗

“And the worst part is, I can’t locate it. I’ve stuck my nose up to all the carpeting, upholstery, and various objects in the area, but the smell isn’t present on these objects themselves.”source ↗

wyanmai · r/CleaningTips · 1 upvotes

“My hallway stank was the pile of leaves just outside my door.”source ↗

the_lazykins · r/CleaningTips · 1 upvotes

“I need help getting rid of an unknow odor in my car.”source ↗

“When I opened the door the smell of something rotting slapped me in the face.”source ↗

“I have searched my car high and low looking for the source of the odor and haven't found anything.”source ↗

“My car still smells.”source ↗

“WHAT SHOULD I DO OR USE next‽ 😫”source ↗

Vivid_Variation_4979 · r/CleaningTips

r/homeowners5 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“So last night when laying down trying to fall asleep, as I was closing my eyes I got an overwhelming smell of skunk.”source ↗

“It smelled stronger and I literally smelled it all throughout the house.”source ↗

“I walk outside, front porch and back porch, no skunk smell at all, actually fresh air.”source ↗

anonymoususer249 · r/homeowners · 18 upvotes

“We moved into our house about a week ago, and almost immediately noticed a strong, strange smell in the house.”source ↗

“We’re honestly at our wits’ end trying to figure out where it’s coming from.”source ↗

sunnyjams1 · r/homeowners · 5 upvotes

“I just bought a home a month ago and have been noticing a trash-like smell immediately when walking into my house and upon passing the front door landing.”source ↗

“It is not constant and seems to correspond to days with higher humidity.”source ↗

ski_skate · r/homeowners · 4 upvotes

“Today we tried to cook some food, and once again the smell was back. It was working, blue fire, sometimes orange here and there, but the smell is horrible.”source ↗

Suppe0ple · r/homeowners · 3 upvotes

“We have one specific section of our basement that smells terrible, and I cannot figure it out.”source ↗

“Thought it was cats peeing, so I walled them out of that area, scrubbed the floors with a bleach mixture, sprayed an odor eliminator all over, and it just smells like it always did a couple weeks later.”source ↗

DanDotOrg · r/homeowners · 2 upvotes

“At least a month! It’s very on and off. Some days there’s nothing and some days I smell it”source ↗

ski_skate · r/homeowners · 1 upvotes

r/cats1 person · September 2026

“Noticed a really strong urine smell coming from my sixteen year old baby’s head today. Gave her a little wash and it still persisted. Any advice?”source ↗

Exact_Protection_861 · r/cats · 17 upvotes

r/HomeImprovement2 people · October 2026

“There was a musty smell that we had gotten rid of, but now there’s a still not pleasant smell that I can’t quite figure out what it is.”source ↗

“The smell is driving me crazy and I need it gone, but I’m lost as to what it could be or how to figure it out.”source ↗

Bad1Gambler · r/HomeImprovement · 6 upvotes

“our only issue with the crawlspace is a dusty, old concrete smell that emanates from the crawlspace.”source ↗

“The HVAC makes it worse, but walking through our hallway, the smell is stronger through the utility room which opens up to the crawlspace under the main stairs.”source ↗

andreromao82 · r/HomeImprovement · 1 upvotes

r/dogs2 people · September 2026

“Will that fresh minty smell go away after it dries?? I can’t use it if it doesn’t.”source ↗

“Google tells me once it dries and finishes the enzymatic process it should be odorless, but I don’t exactly trust that haha”source ↗

Lanky-Razzmatazz-130 · r/dogs · 3 upvotes

“the wet smell is way stronger than the dried smell imo.”source ↗

National_Owl_418 · r/dogs · 1 upvotes

“So the smell still lingers even after its dried?”source ↗

Lanky-Razzmatazz-130 · r/dogs · 1 upvotes

r/HomeMaintenance1 person · September 2026

“Lately I’ve had this horrible smell inconsistently show up.. it smells kind of like old garbage. But has a weirdly sweet smell?? I would get a whiff of it, but never linger for too long.”source ↗

“I’ve been checking everywhere for dead mice, rotting garbage, anything that could lead me to where the smell is coming from…”source ↗

Simple-Pumpkin- · r/HomeMaintenance · 3 upvotes

r/hvacadvice5 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“I’m asking this question as I am investigating the cause of my house’s mustiness/smelliness.”source ↗

“The only time I notice the mustiness is after I’ve been gone for a few days and return.”source ↗

Different-Wallaby-10 · r/hvacadvice · 2 upvotes

“Your biggest clue is the pattern. You only notice it after being gone a few days, and you bump the thermostat up when you leave. So the coil sits there warm and damp for days while nobody's home.”source ↗

r_oketa · r/hvacadvice · 2 upvotes

“Over the past couple of months, only at night about 11.00 pm, we get a smell coming from the vents, sometimes it’s has a slight skunk smell, over times it’s just pongy type smell.”source ↗

SuperSugrat · r/hvacadvice · 1 upvotes

“We moved into our house about a week ago, and almost immediately noticed a strong, strange smell in the house.”source ↗

“We’re honestly at our wits’ end trying to figure out where it’s coming from. 😩any help, suggestions, thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciate!”source ↗

sunnyjams1 · r/hvacadvice · 1 upvotes

“I bought a new apartment around 3 months ago, and from when we bought it there was a sort of sweet scent that my best comparator for is a wet popsicle stick.”source ↗

“Ever since we've moved in we have continued to occasionally be able to smell this smell when standing right in front of the air vent - it is only happening with one of the 2 (condensation) fan coil units is actively cooling, and the cooler it is it seems to be stronger.”source ↗

“I've had multiple HVAC technicians as well as my building come take a look at the unit - none was able to pinpoint the source of the smell and the unit is in perfect working order.”source ↗

MiddleSwitch8 · r/hvacadvice · 1 upvotes

r/MechanicAdvice4 people · September 2026 – October 2026

“Earlier tonight, I started to smell lighter fluid coming from my car.”source ↗

“I don’t use zippos so I definitely know it isn’t from actual lighter fluid.”source ↗

“Currently not driving my car until I figure out the issue.”source ↗

taint-muncher · r/MechanicAdvice · 1 upvotes

“Since last 3 weeks there is this unbearable smell that smells like a something decomposing. I cleaned the car multiple times. Changed airfilter, ac filter.”source ↗

Mysterious-Bus20 · r/MechanicAdvice · 1 upvotes

“oh god i had this exact nightmare in my civic last year. took me two weeks to track it down”source ↗

TheFrayedPhysique · r/MechanicAdvice · 1 upvotes

“A whole raw chicken rolled out of the grocery bag and under my seat on the way home one time. Didn't even realize my chicken was missing until a week or so went by. It smelled like death.”source ↗

Slight_Stunner · r/MechanicAdvice · 1 upvotes

“I am a little too weak hearted for this. Where should I take this to? A mechanic who opens up the dashboard and etc?”source ↗

Mysterious-Bus20 · r/MechanicAdvice · 1 upvotes

r/Plumbing1 person · September 2026

“The pipes under my sink and in the boiler room stink, it’s a horrible smell. It’s very sweet but almost like sweetcorn.”source ↗

7emelover · r/Plumbing · 1 upvotes

r/puppy1011 person · September 2026

“Hi if i have to explain it the smell is genuinely bad i understand his dog smell but how he's smelling is genuinely bad”source ↗

silver_cloudsunset · r/puppy101 · 1 upvotes

“Btw washing him is a war itself because apparently my dog seems hydrophobic”source ↗

“After uncountable struggles bites and muscles pulls we clean him and dry him properly”source ↗

“But i won't lie My dog stinks...real bad”source ↗

“it takes barely 2 days for him to be back at square one”source ↗

silver_cloudsunset · r/puppy101

r/Roofing1 person · October 2026

“Also what profession would I even call to address the smell?”source ↗

“I’m guessing roofer for the skylight?”source ↗

“Thanks for the help… please let me know where to start.”source ↗

BFMGO13 · r/Roofing · 1 upvotes