You have a house that smells like rotten potatoes and you’re not sure why. Something about the smell makes your stomach turn, but it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly is causing all the bad odor in your home.
Whether there was a leaking pipe or something else didn’t go right with the plumbing system at your house, there is a reason that your home smells like rotten potatoes. Learn why a house smells like rotten potatoes and what you can do to fix the problem.
- Why does my house smell like rotten potatoes?
- What are the possible causes of this problem (smell of rotting potatoes)?
- How to Get Rid of Rotten Potato Smell in Your Home
- Should I call a professional?
- What Happens if You Inhale Rotten Potatoes?
- What bacteria smells like rotten potatoes?
- What are some other common household smells?
- What are some tips for preventing this problem in the future?
Why does my house smell like rotten potatoes?
The odor of rotten potatoes can linger for some time after the potatoes have been removed. The smell of rotten potatoes can be caused by a potato being somewhere in your home you can’t see.
If you notice a rotten smell in your home, it could be that an old potato has fallen into the back of a cabinet. However, a mouse, rat, or another animal may have perished inside your home’s walls, ductwork, attic, crawl space, or chimney.
Take some time to check places where a potato can have fallen by accident. By noticing where the smell is the strongest you can narrow down where the smell is coming from. And then thoroughly check the area to identify where the rotten potatoes are.
If you’ve recently had some rotten potatoes in your home and removed them, the smell can linger and the area where they were needs to be cleared with a deodorizer.
The best way to deodorize an area where you’ve had rotten potatoes is to thoroughly wash the area with soapy water.
Then there are a few products you can use to neutralize the smell: Pick whichever you have or hand-held or are most comfortable using and use it on the area where they were sitting.
What are the possible causes of this problem (smell of rotting potatoes)?
Rotten Potatoes
If you’re noticing a strong smell of rotting potatoes, there may be a few possible causes. Glycoalkaloids are a group of natural compounds that are commonly found in the Solanaceae family, including potatoes.
Glycoalkaloids are needed by potatoes to protect themselves from pests attacks and diseases. But glycoalkaloids are toxic for humans and can cause serious health problems and even death if inhaled in a smaller amount.
If you have any concerns about your health, please contact your physician.
Decaying animals on the wall
Decaying animals are the most common cause of such a smell, and can often be found inside walls. Rodent urine and feces may also contribute to this odor as well.
If the smell is coming from a specific area in the room, it may be that there was a spill or leak of some kind. If this is the case, cleaning up thoroughly and airing out the room.
Decaying food
One possible cause of a house smelling like rotten potatoes may be decaying food. A person might not have noticed that some leftover foods are decomposing in their refrigerator or freezer.
If you have a rotting food smell coming from somewhere in your kitchen, search high, low, and in every single nook and cranny until you find it.
If you have roommates or children living in your home, you may have to search in strange places (not just your pantry and fridge) for rotting food smells, especially if you have children.
Whether the food is fresh or rotting, bacteria will cause the smell of decaying food.
Mold Build-up
If you notice that your home smells like rotten potatoes, there could be several causes of this problem. Mold is one major cause as it can lead to a really pungent odor in the air.
Mold needs moisture in order to grow, so if you notice that your home is damp or wet then there may be mold growing.
How to Get Rid of Rotten Potato Smell in Your Home
Carefully Trace the Source of the smell
If you notice a rotten potato smell in your home, it is important to carefully trace the source. There are many possible sources, such as:
- Uncovered trash in the garbage can.
- A leaky water faucet.
- A dirty oven.
All of these can lead to a strong odor. To get rid of the smell, use a variety of methods, depending on the location of the smell.
For example, if the smell is coming from an oven, try using baking soda or vinegar. If the smell is coming from a trash can, try using ammonia.
If the smell is coming from a water faucet, try using dishwashing soap. If the smell is coming from a leaky pipe, get help from a professional.
Do Proper Home cleaning
Many people have a problem with the smell of rotten potatoes. If you have this problem, you may be wondering how to get rid of the smell. Proper home cleaning can help get rid of any kind of smell. It is important to keep your home healthy and clean.
This will help to prevent bad smells from spreading.
Always Take out the trash
It’s important to always take out the trash to prevent bad smells from building up in your home. Bad smells can be caused by a variety of sources, so take care to address each one properly.
For example, use Febreze AIR to eliminate odors quickly. Dilute bleach and let it sit for a few hours to clean the can properly. designate one can for “dirty trash” that you take out every day. This will help to reduce the amount of time needed to clean your home.
Ensure Proper House Ventilation
Bad smells coming from the kitchen are often caused by a buildup of organic matter. A common culprit is rotting potatoes, due to their high starch and sugar content.
The best way to rid your home of this odor is to open the windows and place an air purifier near the affected area.
Use Odor Neutralizers
If you’re having a hard time getting rid of the rotten potato smell in your home, you can try using odor neutralizers.
Odor neutralizers will help to remove any odor from the home. Odor neutralizers are a great way to get rid of any odor in the home.
Odor neutralizers can help to remove any odor from the home. So if you’ve been struggling to get that stench out of your home, give odor neutralizers a try.
Should I call a professional?
If you have tried using odor neutralizers and are still having a hard time getting rid of the rotten potato smell in your home, you should call a professional. A professional will be able to get rid of the rotten potato smell in your home and make it smell fresh.
What Happens if You Inhale Rotten Potatoes?
If you inhale large quantities of solanine gas, it can cause you to become unconscious. If you remain where the air is particularly concentrated in solanine gas, you can die.
The more airflow there is in a room, the more gas like that produced from rotten potatoes will dissipate.
What bacteria smells like rotten potatoes?
The smells of rotten potatoes are caused by bacteria. When you cook potatoes, their skin releases an enzyme called solanine which breaks down the glycoalkaloids in the potato.
This process produces hydrocarbons, including hydrogen sulfide and acetone. These compounds combine with other chemicals in the potato to create the smells of rotten potatoes.
What are some other common household smells?
Household smells can include rotten potatoes, mold, detergent drawer smell, cigarette smoke, and more. Each household smells different depending on the ingredients used and how they are stored.
It’s important to consult with a professional if you’re having trouble identifying the source of the smell in your home.
What are some tips for preventing this problem in the future?
The best way to prevent this problem is by storing your potatoes in a cool, dark place. Also, make sure you have adequate ventilation for the space where you store them.
If your home smells like rotten potatoes, there are a few steps you can take to get rid of the smell.
Try opening windows and using fans for ventilation. This will help remove the air in your home that smells like rotten potatoes.
When you cook or bake with potatoes, make sure to clean your kitchen right away. This will help prevent the smell of cooked food from lingering in your home.
If you have pets, make sure they are not the source of the smell. If your pet has been sick or if you’ve had an animal die in your home, this could be what’s causing the smell.
Use baking soda or a vinegar-based cleaner to clean your home’s surfaces and remove the smell of rotten potatoes from your home.
In addition, If you notice that there is mold growing in your home, remove it right away. Mold can be a health hazard and can cause your home to smell like rotten potatoes.
