If your house smells like fish and nobody cooked fish, don’t ignore it. A fishy smell is one of the classic warning signs of an electrical problem. Other times it really is last night’s dinner hanging around. Here’s how to tell what’s going on, starting with the one cause that can’t wait.
Check First: An Overheating Outlet, Switch or Wire
When electrical parts overheat, the plastic and insulation can give off a smell many people describe as fishy or like burning fish. Walk the house and smell outlets, switches, light fixtures, power strips and the breaker panel. Look for discoloration, scorch marks, buzzing, flickering lights, or an outlet or cover plate that feels warm.
If you find one, stop using it, turn off that circuit at the breaker if you can do so without touching anything hot, and call a licensed electrician right away. If you see smoke or flames, get out and call 911. This is a fire risk, not an odor problem.
Other Causes of a Fishy Smell
- Cooking fish or seafood. The oils travel through the home and settle into fabrics, cabinets and the AC filter.
- Spoiled food. Check the fridge, freezer, trash cans, and the garbage disposal.
- A dead animal. A rodent in a wall or attic can smell fishy early on. See what to do about a dead animal smell.
- Drains. Buildup in sink drains or a dry trap can smell fishy or sour. Run water and clean the drain.
- Pets. A pet’s food, bedding, or an aquarium that needs cleaning.
Getting Rid of a Cooking Smell
- Run the range hood while cooking and for a while after, if it vents outside.
- Wash the stovetop, backsplash, and the range hood filter, where the grease collects.
- Take out the trash with the fish packaging right away.
- Wash kitchen towels, curtains and anything fabric near the kitchen.
- Change the AC filter if the smell has spread to other rooms.
When Cooking Smells Have Built Up for Years
One fish dinner fades in a day or two. But years of heavy cooking, frying, or strong spices can soak into walls, cabinets, carpet and the AC system, so the home smells like food all the time. That’s common in homes people are buying, renting out, or getting ready to sell.
Once the electrical has been ruled out and the kitchen is cleaned, our whole-home odor removal treatment treats the air throughout the entire home, including one AC system, to remove built-up cooking odors. You’ll be out for about 8 hours. It’s an odor treatment only. It doesn’t fix wiring, drains or spoiled food, so those have to be handled first.
Selling or renting? See how to get rid of odors before you list a home or our landlord’s guide to odors between tenants.
Whole-Home Odor Removal in South Florida: $997
Our Whole-Home Odor Removal Treatment is $997 and includes one AC system ($550 for each additional AC unit). You can buy and schedule it online, or call 877-224-2532. We answer 24/7; when you call, we’ll tell you honestly when a technician can be there based on that day’s schedule. Hablamos español.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
