Podcast Summary: The Wirecutter Show
Episode: How to Get Rid of Every Gross Smell in Your Home
Date: March 4, 2026
Hosts: Christine Cyr Clisset & Caira Blackwell
Guest Expert: Caroline Mullen (Wirecutter Staff Writer, Cleaning & Organization)
Episode Overview
This episode of The Wirecutter Show dives deep into one of the most stubborn and unsettling household issues: how to eliminate persistent, unpleasant odors from every corner of your home. Drawing on listener questions, the hosts are joined by cleaning expert Caroline Mullen to break down actionable, evidence-based tips for eradicating kitchen funk, pet stench, laundry woes, smelly cars, and more, complete with Wirecutter-tested product recommendations and expert insights.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening Perspective: If You're Worried, You're Probably Clean
- [00:33] Caroline Mullen:
“If you're worried about it being stinky, it's probably not. It's the people that aren't worried about it being stinky that probably have stinky houses.”
- Sets the episode’s tone: most people concerned about smells are proactively clean.
2. Kitchen Odors
A. Persistent Cooking Smells in Small Apartments
- Main Advice:
- Ventilation is Essential. Open windows—even in winter—and use fans to create cross breezes.
- Surface Cleaning: Grease and food residues on surfaces, fabrics, and floors trap odors. Prompt, thorough cleaning is key.
- Portable Range Hoods & Air Purifiers: Portable range hoods are not significantly better than open windows and fans. Air purifiers only minimally help with odors.
- [05:46] Caroline Mullen:
“Ventilation is the number one thing that's gonna help you combat cooking odors in your home. ... Put on the fan above your stove, if you don't have a range hood... open your windows and turn a fan on.”
B. Removing Deep Meat Rot Smells from Freezers
- [09:06] Caroline Mullen:
“Just throw it away. It’s not worth your sanity. You just—you gotta throw the freezer out.”
- After deeply embedded odors from rotten meat, salvage is rarely worthwhile.
C. General Fridge/Freezer Funk
- Tips:
- Clean out expired/rotten items regularly.
- Deep clean with disinfectant (Clorox Cleanup with bleach recommended for its shelf stability).
- Baking soda absorbs acidic gases; use an open box in the fridge.
- Store odor-prone foods (like eggs) in airtight containers.
- [10:22] Caroline Mullen on fridge disinfectants:
“I use our pick, which is the Clorox cleanup with bleach because it’s shelf stable…”
D. Trash Heaters: Warm Trash Smells
- [11:47] Caroline Mullen:
“You gotta move the trash. If it’s being heated up every day, it’s—it’s gotta move. I’m sorry.”
- If practical, move heated trash receptacles. Otherwise, clean all surrounding areas thoroughly and frequently.
3. Pet Smells
A. Litter Box Odor
- [13:20] Caroline Mullen:
- Wirecutter’s top pick: Dr. Elsey's Cat Litter—forms tight clumps, contains odors.
- Promptly dispose of used litter; don’t let it linger indoors.
- Lidded litter boxes can help, but only if your cat tolerates them.
- Ultimately, routine cleaning is the most effective.
B. Pet Smells You Can’t Smell Anymore (“Nose Blindness”)
- [15:16] Caroline Mullen:
“If you're worried about your house being stinky, it's probably not stinky. It's the people that aren't worried about it being stinky that probably have stinky houses.”
- Regularly wash pet beds, blankets, and any soft furnishings pets sit on.
- Use machine-washable rugs and vacuum often (robot vacuums help a lot).
- Air purifiers help remove dander/hair but don’t resolve root odors.
- Avoid scented air fresheners and deodorizers (especially with cats).
- Cleaning > masking with scents.
4. Laundry Odors
A. Stinky Workout Clothes (Synthetic Fibers)
- Tips:
- Wash in cold; hot water can “bake in” odors.
- Turn clothing inside out.
- Use less detergent—just 2 tablespoons per load.
- Pre-treat with hydrogen peroxide (spot test first).
- Clean your washing machine regularly.
- [21:59] Christine Cyr Clisset:
"[Use] just 2 tablespoons actually of detergent, even for a full big load."
- [22:24] Caroline Mullen:
"It won’t get rinsed out. And smells can get trapped inside of the detergent that lingers on the fabrics."
B. Down Jackets/Parkas That Smell
- Key Steps:
- Pre-treat problem areas.
- For wet dog smell: avoid excess detergent, rinse at least twice.
- Dry extremely thoroughly (air/dry on low with a dryer).
- [24:41] Caroline Mullen:
“The good news is down jackets can be washed…you need to rinse…the comforter or anything with down a couple times...dry absolutely thoroughly.”
C. Mildewy Towels
- Advice:
- Ensure towels air dry fully—bars/dracks > hooks.
- Wash towels on hot with a quality detergent; add borax for stubborn smells.
- [27:39] Caroline Mullen:
“If they’re really stinky, you can wash them on hot with a good laundry detergent or add a scoop of borax…”
D. Urine Smells in Laundry
- Soak items in cold water and detergent overnight, then wash on cold.
- Repeat wash if necessary. Avoid hot water (sets stains/odors).
5. Miscellaneous Odors
A. Smelly Car (Fermented Fruit Incident)
- [30:55] Caroline Mullen:
- Baking soda paste (with dish soap/water) left overnight.
- Heavy rinsing (without harming car upholstery).
- Upholstery cleaners (like the Bissell Little Green) and their odor-specific solutions recommended.
- As a last resort: detailing shop, replacing affected upholstery, or using alcohol/vodka sprays.
- [32:18] Caroline Mullen:
“If all else fails...you might want to get it professionally cleaned and detailed. Or try replacing that piece of upholstery.”
B. Dead Mouse Smell in Cabinet Walls
- [34:10] Caroline Mullen (via Doug Mahoney):
- Sometimes, you must wait for the smell to dissipate as the carcass decomposes.
- Odor absorbers (activated charcoal, baking soda) may help—but no guarantees.
- Finding and removing the source is ideal but not always possible.
C. Persistent Secondhand Weed/Cigarette/Smoke Smells
- [35:46] Caroline Mullen:
- Air purifiers are helpful for smoke of all kinds.
- Ventilate; use fans/door towels for drafty areas.
- Clean all washable items; for items you can't launder, vodka-water spray works to neutralize odors.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Ventilation is the number one thing that's gonna help you combat cooking odors in your home.” – Caroline Mullen [05:46]
- “Just throw it away. It’s not worth your sanity.” (on dead meat freezer) – Caroline Mullen [09:06]
- “Keep pets’ rugs and bedding machine-washable and clean as frequently as you wash your bed sheets.” – Caroline Mullen [16:57]
- “If you’re using too much [detergent], it can contribute to smelly laundry.” – Christine Cyr Clisset [39:14]
- On stubborn pests: “You kind of just have to wait for it to…totally go away.” — Caroline Mullen [34:13]
- On home scent paranoia: “The people that aren’t worried about it being stinky that probably have stinky houses.” – Caroline Mullen [15:16]
Actionable Products & Methods Recommended
- Dr. Elsey's Cat Litter: Holds odor, strong clumping.
- Clorox Cleanup with Bleach: Shelf-stable disinfectant for fridge/freezer.
- Bissell Little Green: For car upholstery and soft furnishings.
- Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls curl cream: Caroline’s favorite recent purchase (smells like laundry!) – [37:08]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Opening & Cleaning Philosophy: [00:33–01:30]
- Kitchen Odors & Listener Questions: [04:44–12:19]
- Pet Smells: [12:25–17:46]
- Laundry & Clothing Smells: [19:47–29:51]
- Miscellaneous (Car, Mouse, Smoke): [29:51–37:02]
- Favorite Product Rec: [37:08]
- Final Reflections & Takeaways: [38:12–39:51]
Episode Takeaways
- Clean regularly and focus on the source—not just covering up odors.
- Minimal effective product use (e.g., detergent) is key.
- Ventilation and frequent washing are almost always more effective than air fresheners or passive products.
- Pet owners: proactive washing and cleaning of fabrics, plus vacuuming, do more than any air freshener.
“You really do have to deep clean often, consistently.”
— Kyra Blackwell [38:38]
Resources & Next Steps
Check the episode’s show notes for Wirecutter’s related cleaning guides and product recommendations for every situation discussed.
Summary by The Wirecutter Show: practical, relatable, real-life cleaning advice for every smelly scenario.