Walk in this order
- Entry: shoe area, coat closet, doormat and the garage door if the garage is attached.
- Kitchen: trash and recycling bins, under the sink, the disposal, fridge and freezer, dishwasher filter, range hood filter.
- Living area: upholstery, cushions, throw blankets, rugs and the air return grille.
- Bedrooms: mattress, pillows, duvet, curtains, closet and the space under the bed.
- Bathrooms: drains and overflows, toilet base, towels, the bath fan, the trash can.
- Laundry: washer door seal and detergent drawer, dryer lint trap, any floor drain.
- Deck or balcony: planters, ashtrays, cushions, the door track.
- Mechanical: furnace filter, water heater area, any sump or floor drain.
Tips for the walk-through
Close windows and turn off the HVAC fan for a few minutes before starting, so the air is still and smells stay near their source. Start at the door and keep the same direction every time, so cleaners build a habit and nothing gets skipped. Smell soft surfaces close up: the top of a mattress, the inside of a curtain, the underside of a cushion.
Write down the strongest spot in each room. When several rooms smell, the one with the strongest spot is usually the source and the others are picking it up through the air.
Smell and common source
| Smell | Look first at |
|---|---|
| Sour or rotten food | Fridge, freezer, disposal, bins, under the sink |
| Sewer or rotten egg | Dry drains, sink overflows, toilet base |
| Musty or damp | Washer door seal, under sinks, lower-level walls, bath fan |
| Stale cigarette | Curtains, bedding, upholstery, deck, filter |
| Sweet or skunky cannabis | Bedding, couch, bathroom fan, balcony |
| Burnt or fried | Range hood filter, oven, toaster, cabinet fronts |
Common questions
How long does the walk-through take?
About ten minutes for a two-bedroom unit once a cleaner is used to the order.
Why a fixed order instead of starting where the smell is strongest?
A fixed order means nothing is skipped and different cleaners report in the same way. The strongest spot still stands out on the form, and you also catch secondary sources you would have missed.
What if the smell seems to be everywhere?
That usually points to the HVAC system or a source the air system is spreading. Turn the fan off for a while, then walk the order again; the strongest room is often where it starts.
General information for LoHi, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.