Question 

I have a rather sensitive question to ask, and I am sincerely hoping there is a simple solution to this problem. You see, when I walk into my father’s home it does not smell very good. I have noticed this issue for the past several years. It does seem worse to me, or I am more and more concerned about it. 

Is there anything one can do to get rid of that old person smell while they are still living in the house? I frankly do not know where to begin. 

For a little background, my father lives alone and is 91 years old. I do not remember the house smelling funky when I lived there or even five years ago, though my mother was still living and she did most of the housework. 

I need some suggestions for this situation. 

Answer 

A smelly house will require a bit of sleuthing to uncover and then resolve. Let us start with the potential causes: 

• Old individuals do have a musty smell from the breakdown of fatty acids on the skin called nonenal, which is different than the odor of younger adults. Regular bathing would keep it to a minimum. Drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and exercise can be important elements also. Do check if your father is washing up each day? Is he drinking water during the day? 

• One thing that I would also explore is whether your father is incontinent. It is time to get up close to the couch, cushions, the mattress, and chairs. Check the bathroom floor and around the toilet. Dried urine is easy to identify and can give a home a very strong odor. If you discover dried urine on furniture, you have a medical problem that needs resolution. You also will need to have the furniture cleaned or replaced. Vinegar and baking soda are key cleaning products to help with urine stains. 

• Another thing to look at is your dad’s cleaning schedule and skill. Since your mother passed, he may not be cleaning very thoroughly, or at all. It is not uncommon for women to do the bulk of the deep cleaning. Your father may not even know what your mother did to keep the house clean. (Note to married couples, we do no favors by not sharing household maintenance chores with our spouse). Does your father have the ability to clean a house? Does he even know what to clean and how often? Is it time for a cleaning person? 

• Explore ventilation. Are windows opened with some regularity? Would an air purifier help? 

• Is your father changing his clothing? Are sweaters and sweatshirts being washed? If the clothing smells, soaking in vinegar and water before washing can help to neutralize the odor. 

• Are bed sheets being washed weekly? Is dirty laundry sitting around?

Basically, you will need to examine how dad is living and managing his home to determine what needs to change to solve the odor problem. It may take some dedicated effort to root out the issue, as it is rarely one simple thing. With some determined sleuthing you should be able to make some improvements.