If you’re greeted by an unpleasant odor every time you walk through the door, you’re not alone. Old food, trash buildup and pet dander are smelly problems that can stink up anyone’s home. Make your space smell like new again by finding and fixing these five lingering odors.

Food

If you enjoy cooking at home, then you know that the smell from those culinary efforts can stick around long after the last plate is clean.

Prevent food odor by scouring the kitchen quickly after each meal — a solution of water and white distilled vinegar is particularly effective for smells. If you are devout with your cleaning efforts and still notice a stench, the problem may be in your fridge.

Dispose of any expired food and give the shelves a good scrubbing.

Then, place an open box of baking soda in the fridge and replace it every month.

Pets

As much as you love your pets, there’s a good chance they’re the main culprit for strange smells in your home. Fur, dander, muddy paws and old accidents can all add up to create an undesirable aroma.

Get rid of animal odor by giving your house a deep clean. And pay extra attention to your carpeted floors and upholstery — these surfaces are known to trap smells.

If the problem can’t be fixed with a DIY cleaning, consider hiring a professional. Make sure to bathe and brush your pets often to prevent odor accumulation in the future.

Bathroom

If you’ve noticed an unusual odor coming from the bathroom, start eliminating it with the basics.

Spray some Lysol around the room for immediate relief before cleaning your toilet bowl, sink and shower. And don’t forget to wipe up the surrounding floor and counter areas as well.

If the stench persists, check the room for mold or mildew — it thrives in damp areas. And be sure to call a mold remediation professional to fix the problem if needed. Not only will fixing the problem help with the smell, it will also keep you from breathing in any harmful substances.

Trash

Whether it contains decomposing food, empty containers or old toothbrushes, your trash can is a petri dish of aromas. And those odors can easily contribute to a stinky room — especially if the can doesn’t have a lid.

Cleanse the air by tossing out all of your garbage and upgrading your trash containers so they trap smells inside, rather than releasing them into the room. Then, clean out any older garbage cans with soap to get rid of lingering stains, gunk and stink.

Once cleaned, pour some baking soda into the bottom of trash cans to neutralize smells on an ongoing basis.

Smoke

If your home is plagued by the smell of cigarette smoke, you know it can be very difficult to remove. Smoke particles attach to the clothes in your closet, carpet fibers and even the paint on the wall.

Getting rid of this odor is tricky, but it can be done. For starters, you’ll want to clean your house from top to bottom, do your laundry and consider throwing out any upholstered furniture that still smells smoky. If that doesn’t help, consider hiring a professional to repaint — new primer and paint can mask the smell of any smoke particles still stuck to the wall.