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If left untreated, the smell of pet urine may not go away on its own. This is because urine is a surfactant that can penetrate fabric and upholstery, even some porous concrete. Plus, urine attracts bacteria, which can worsen the smell. When dealing with urine on your couch, treat it immediately or pay for the cost of a house cleaner. Most pros charge between $30 and $50 per hour.

Figuring out why you have a musty smell in your house is the first step to getting rid of it. Mold or mildew is most likely causing the unpleasant odor. People use these terms interchangeably, but they’re actually different.

Mold is a fungus that loves to grow in moist, humid places. It’s typically black or green and has a raised, uneven texture. Stay vigilant for signs mold may be growing in your home. 

You’ll find mildew growing on your shower walls and in your bathroom’s nooks and crannies. It’s a specific type of mold that grows flat. Mildew is usually white, gray, or yellow.

Vinegar and baking soda can be effective for removing old carpet stains, although success may depend on the type of stain. There are two common methods for this process.

One method involves combining the ingredients directly on the stain to create a chemical reaction. First, pour a generous layer of dry baking soda over the stain. In a spray bottle, mix distilled white vinegar with 1 cup of warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap, then spray this solution thoroughly over the baking soda. The mixture will foam as the acidic vinegar reacts with the basic baking soda, which helps loosen and lift the stain. Let this sit for a few hours until it dries, then wipe or vacuum up the residue and blot the area with a clean, dry towel. You can repeat the process if the stain persists.

An alternative method suggests using the ingredients separately. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the stain and letting it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming it up. Next, blot the remaining stain with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, and then blot the area dry with a clean cloth.

If you or your pet are unlucky enough to enrage a skunk during extraction, don’t douse yourself in tomato juice—it only masks the odor. A more effective way to get rid of skunk smells is with a hydrogen peroxide solution which you apply to skin, pet fur, or clothing.