Stinky House -?

Question

One of my friends house smells so bad that it burns my eyes - really. Do I tell her or leave it be and just not go over there?

Are candles as a gift too obvious? LOL

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

be careful.  she might be stashing bodies in the basement

Answer 2

if you tell her, then she will be angry. Does she have animals? Then, she will have to clean after them. For a gift, me and more friends may chip in for her to have a one time free molly maids service. I would claim it is a gift for a woman who works hard. She wont get mad then.

Answer 3

Handling an odor problem of any kind is not an easy job.  I would let her know that my eyes burn in her house and ask her what does she think is the cause.  Maybe she is aware of the odor problem, and maybe she is not.  Anyway, if she knows the cause, ask her if there is anything you can do to help alleviate it.  If she is unaware of the cause, tell here you will bring her some fragrant candles and see if that will help out.  -- Toni D. (a senior lady)

Answer 4

i would send her a box of febreeze as a present

Answer 5

I had a friend with dogs who urinated in her basement. The scent permeated the entire house. Everyone I knew talked about it behind her back so I mustered up the courage to tell her and we are still friends to this day.  Turns out she didn't realize how bad it was. (When you live with a scent you get used to it over time).  So if she is really your friend she will be grateful that you told her. Offer suggestions on what she might do to eliminate the odor.

Answer 6

I would be honest with her, but if not just get her those febreze candles they work very well.......

Answer 7

Lysol would be a great show stopper!

Next time you go there, whip out a can and spray it all over the place.

They'll get the message.

Answer 8

Why does it smell? Is it food? Pets? Cigarettes? Is she just a p**s-poor housekeeper?

Whatever the case you could offer to help her with whatever the problem is.  "Oh, Susie, I have to tell you I tried this new cat litter, it is so great.  What do you use? Oh, you use THAT brand? I found I had to scoop the box out every other day when I used that brand, do you have that problem?"  etc. etc.  A house that smells us usually an underlying problem that scented candles won't fix, especially if it is so strong it makes your eyes burn!

Answer 9

Can you detect where the odor is coming from?  A cat?  Garbage piled up?  

If you can, then gently tell your friend that there is a bad odor that seems to be caused by:  "the cat".  

She will be embarrased but tell her it's happened to you in the past and that this is how you resolved it.

NOTE:  I had to work from my bosses apt. for a couple of days.  I went to use the bathroom and discovered s _ _ _ stains on the seat.  Gross.  I then walked into the place and was consumed by a heavy funk.  I kept walking right out onto the balcony for some fresh air.  I left the door open.

My salvation?  His girlfriend noticed my facial reactions and when I came by the next day, she had cleaned up as best as she could.

From that point on, he hired a full - time maid.

Nasty.

Answer 10

Talk to her-- if she is your friend she will be thankful.

Do it with care and love as a friend should.

Answer 11

Does she have a type of pet that you do not have??? I am allergic to cats. Even if I weren't and I had a friend that had cats I would use that as a reason to not come in. I find the smell from litter boxes to be highly offensive.....

Answer 12

It's not a good idea to tell your friend that her house is stinky. I made that mistake once. It's highly insulting and just not nice.

I think candles are a great gift.. just make sure there's an occasion for the gift.

Answer 13

I had a friend who said my house smelled like vomit. she never got invited over again.

Answer 14

Ask her to you house, and offer her a shower, before supper.

Or when at her house, open all the windows "wide." <}:-})