# How to Get Rid of the Stale Water Smell From an Indoor Plant
The most fastidious housekeeper occasionally has a problem with odors in the home. One of the most frustrating is when the houseplants smell like a swamp on a hot summer day. Traditional methods of odor removal such as air fresheners, boiling lemon peel on the stove or opening a window are only temporary solutions. To resolve the problem, you must go to the source — the houseplant itself. With a little work and some fresh potting soil, the indoor gardener can resolve the odor problem in a few hours.
Things You'll Need
- Dishwashing soap
- Scrubbie
- Potting soil
- Perlite
- Activated charcoal
Instructions
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1
Remove the drip tray and scrub with hot, soapy water. Replace under the flower pot. Always remove excess water within a half hour of watering.
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2
Repot the plant annually. Remove the plant from the flower pot and plant in a larger pot, using fresh soil. If you are reusing the same pot, remove an inch of soil around the sides and bottom of the root ball. Add new soil to fill the flower pot.
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3
Add perlite and activated charcoal to the potting mix to lighten the mix and absorb odors. Potting soils that are old and compacted do not breathe, allowing smelly bacteria to grow in the flowerpot.
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4
Stop watering and allow the potting soil to dry out before watering again. Too much watering provides an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.
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1
Indoor Growing
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