Removing Rotten Egg Smell: Causes, Detection, and Effective Solutions

How to Get Rid of Rotten Egg Smell in House?

The smell of rotten egg can be removed from the house by some following simple steps-

Cleaning supplies need to be arranged
Detergent is to be applied on the surface.
Properly washing.
Removing blockage from the sink
Using hydrogen peroxide
Washing the filter.
Using chlorine.
White vinegar, charcoal, baking soda also can be used for removing the smell from the house.

Introduction of Rotten Egg Smell in House

If there is a smell of rotten egg in the house then there is surely presence of the hydrogen sulphide gas. The sulphate in the egg is broken down by bacteria into organic matter and a bad smell is produced for the absence of oxygen.

Hydrogen sulfide can cause various health problems like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite etc. The smell can be coming from various places like sewage, ground, pipes, water, bathroom sink, etc.

If we are going to find the source of the smell, then we follow some steps-

Collect a glass of water from the drain or the suspicious area.
Smell the water outside
Collect another glass of water from another faucet and smell that water outside as well.
If the foul smell comes from both glasses, bacteria may be present in the water.
If the foul smell is coming from only one glass, the drain is affected.

How to Remove Egg Smell from Floor?

It is believed that Natural ways are the best to remove egg smell from the floor. Some of the ways are described below-

1. Using of Lemon

Egg smell on the floor can be easily removed if we are using lemon. At first lemon juice are sprinkled on the egg stains and kept for 2minutes. And then the area is to be rubbed with a cloth. The smell will be removed instantly.

2. Using Rosewater

In case of hard and stubborn stains, the egg stain can be removed by washing it with rose water. Using rose water will also leave a good fragrance.

3. Using of White Vinegar

Using apple cider vinegar is considered one of the best ways to remove egg smell from the floor. Apply a little vinegar on a cloth and rub it on the egg stain every three hours a day to remove the smell.

4. Using Orange Peels

Orange peels are also a useful substance to remove the bad egg smell. Other products that are also used for removing the smell from the floor-

5. Detergent

Prepare a solution with ⅓ cup of detergent with water. With the help of a brush, rub the area and rinse with water. The smell will be gone.

6. Baking Soda

Prepare a solution with 1/2cup of baking soda with warm water and blend the mixture properly. Using a brush take the soda mixture and rub the affected area and rinse it with water, the smell and the stain will vanish.

Causes of Rotten Egg Smell in a Home

Though the smell is named as rotten egg smell it is not the egg that smells very bad, it is the smell of chemical gas, called Hydrogen sulphide. Bacteria break down the sulphate in the egg into organic matter and thus this gas is produced and the absence of oxygen makes a foul smell.

Sometimes the smell is because of the carton of eggs in-home, otherwise, the smell is septic gas. Septic gas has a very bad odour like rotten eggs. Problems on the following items can be the reason behind the smell of rotten eggs in the home –

1. Heater: The heater can cause this sulfur smell in the home if the smell arrives whenever the heater is used. This is a natural gas leak but in large amounts can be dangerous for health. The person may feel nauseous, or tired.

2. Stove: The rotten egg smell can be caused if the knobs of the heater are turned on or have any leak, then the gas is entering the home.

3. Plumbing: The plumbing system can be affected and the odour can be coming from the sinks

4. Water Heater: This bad smell can be coming from the water heater too. If the water heater is not clean, then stinky water can be circulating throughout the home. If the water heater is not flushed, it can smell very bad.

5. Drain Pipes: If bathrooms aren’t used a lot, a foul smell can occur.

6. Well Water: Nowadays well water is used worldwide. Rotten egg smell can be coming from it for creating hydrogen sulphide gas in the water.

Steps to Remove Rotten Egg Smell from Your Home

There are many ways to remove rotten egg smell from home, some of them are listed below-

1. Using of Charcoal

To remove the rotten egg smell or the stinky sulphur smell from home charcoal can be used. A filter that is activated by carbon or charcoal is considered to be very effective to discharge the odour from home.

2. Air Purifier

Air purification system considered as one of the efficient ways to make the home bad smell free. Though it is an expensive system but is used when all other ways to remove the egg smell failed.

3. Water Purifier

The water purifier is used to make the water sulphur free. so by using it rotten egg smell from the water can be removed.

4. Cleaning Appliances

Cooking utensils or other appliances of the home can give rise to the sulphur or rotten smell. So by cleaning appliances that smell can get away from the home.

5. Using of Gram Flour

Gram flour is used to remove the rotten egg smell from the dish as it soaks all the bad smells and leaves a good fragrance. Use gram flour to rub all the utensils and take time to settle it on the dish for around 10minutes. Then rinse it with clean water, the smell will vanish.

6. Coffee Powder

Coffee powders are also a useful material for removing the eggy smell from home. Take some coffee powder and soak it in the water for 10 minutes. Then sprinkle it all over the appliances that give a sulfur smell. Rub them and clean them with water. The smell will go away.

7. Check Gas Connection

The main reason for the sulphur smell in the home can be because of a gas leak. So all the open flame and electrical equipment should be kept away from the gas line to avoid creating the smell.

8. P-Trap Under the Drain

In the house, every drain has p shape pipe called a p trap which is used to hold water. If the sink is left for a long time, the water will dry out and start getting a rotten smell. To resolve this issue, run the shower for 5minutes and the bathroom fan for a minimum of 1 hour, the smell will be gone.

9. Check the Vent Pipe

If the vent pipes are not installed properly it will cause the rotten egg smell in the house. If there is a clogging problem with the pipes, the clogged area needs to be cut and should be attached with a vent. The problem of the smell will be solved.

10. Biological Slim

Biological slim that can grow in the sink, shower tubs, bath drain, can also create a rotten smell in the house. For a solution, the drain pipe cover needs to be removed and the tubes should be flushed with water.

The pipes need to be scrubbed with soap using a brush and washed with water. The house will be rotten smell free.

Why Does It Need to Be Removed?

A little amount of hydrogen sulfide does not give any effect on our health but sometimes the bad smell is annoying.

The report says there is no effect of the hydrogen sulphide gas in human health if it is not reached to 3ppm for an hour but if it reaches this level, the people who are sensitive to allergy will react to it.

If the rotten egg smells for a long time in the house, it will result in nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, etc. If the hydrogen sulphide gas reaches its higher level (850-1050 ppm), the person breathing it will be unconscious or even be dead.

FAQ: Removing Rotten Egg Smell from Your Home

What Causes the Rotten Egg Smell in My Home?

The rotten egg smell is usually due to hydrogen sulfide gas, which can be produced by bacteria breaking down sulfates in organic matter or from sources like sewage, water heaters, drains, and gas leaks.

How Can I Identify the Source of the Rotten Egg Smell?

To identify the source, collect samples of water from different faucets or drains and smell them outside. If the foul odor is present in water from all sources, the issue may be with the water supply. If it’s only from one source, the problem is likely localized to that drain or fixture.

What Are Some Natural Ways to Remove the Egg Smell from My Floors?

Natural methods include using lemon juice, rose water, white vinegar, or orange peels. You can also use baking soda or detergent solutions to clean the affected area.

How Can I Get Rid of the Rotten Egg Smell from the Air?

To remove the smell from the air, you can use activated charcoal, air purifiers, or water purifiers. Coffee powder and gram flour are also effective for absorbing odors.

What Should I Do If I Suspect a Gas Leak?

If you suspect a gas leak, ensure that all open flames and electrical equipment are kept away from the gas line. Check for any signs of leakage and contact a professional immediately to address the issue.

How Can I Fix a Smelly Drain or Sink?

For smelly drains, run water regularly to keep the P-trap filled. Clean the drain with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. If necessary, flush the pipes and scrub them with soap and water.

Why Is My Water Heater Causing a Rotten Egg Smell?

A dirty or unflushed water heater can produce a sulfur-like odor. Regularly flush the water heater and clean it to prevent this issue.

What Role Does Biological Slime Play in the Rotten Egg Smell?

Biological slime in drains and pipes can contribute to unpleasant odors. Clean the pipes and drain covers regularly to remove slime and reduce odors.

Is Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Dangerous?

While small amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas are generally not harmful, higher concentrations can cause nausea, headaches, dizziness, and more severe health issues. Ensure proper ventilation and address the source of the gas promptly.

How Can I Prevent the Rotten Egg Smell from Recurring?

Regular maintenance of your plumbing system, proper ventilation, and using odor-absorbing products can help prevent the smell from recurring. Regularly check and clean your appliances and fixtures to avoid future issues.