Solving Odour Problem When Composting

 

Solving Odour Problem When Composting

Odor is the #1 issue people face with composting—but the truth is: 

👉 A healthy compost shouldn’t smell bad (it should smell like soil/earth). 

 Here’s how to control it effectively in a Malaysia climate (hot + humid) 

Why compost smells (root causes) 

 Bad smell usually means: 

•  Too wet (no airflow → rotting) 
•  Too much food waste (nitrogen overload) 
•  Not enough oxygen (anaerobic) 
• Wrong materials (meat, oily food) 

How to fix & prevent odor 

• Balance “Green vs Brown” (MOST IMPORTANT) 
•  👉 Always follow: 1 part green (food waste) 2–3 parts brown (dry materials) 
• What to add to fix smell FAST: 
• Dry leaves 
• Shredded cardboard 
•  Newspaper
•  💡 If it smells → immediately add more “brown” 
•  Keep it aerated (oxygen = no smell) 
• Turn/mix compost 1–2 times per week 
• Make sure your bin has air holes 
•  👉 No oxygen = rotting smell (like garbage) 
•  Control moisture (Malaysia is very humid) 
•  👉 Ideal condition: 
•  Damp like wrung-out sponge 
• Fix: 
• Too wet → add dry leaves + mix 
• Too dry → sprinkle a bit of water 
•  💡 Heavy rain = common problem → always use a lid 
•  Cover food waste properly 
•  Every time you add scraps: 
•  Bury it under dry material 
•  Example: 
•  Add veggie scraps + Cover with leaves/cardboard 
•  Prevents: Smell Flies Maggots 
• Avoid “problem foods” 
•  Do NOT add: 
•  Meat 
• Fish 
• Dairy 
• Oily food 
•  👉 These cause: 
•  Strong odor 
• Pests (rats, flies) 
• Use the right bin (important) 
• Best for odor control: 
• Closed compost bin with lid 
• Small ventilation holes 
• Even better: 
•  👉 Bokashi system (no smell if done right) 
•  Fermentation, not rotting 
• Good for indoor/kitchen use 
• Add natural odor absorbers (optional trick) 
•  You can sprinkle: 
•  Wood ash 
• Soil 
• Coconut coir 
• Charcoal bits 
•  👉 Helps neutralize smell quickly 
•  Location matters 
•  Place your compost: 
•  In a shaded area 
• Away from doors/windows 
• With airflow 

Quick troubleshooting guide 

Smell type Cause Fix Rotten / garbage

• Too wet, no air
• Add dry leaves + mix Sour / acidic
• Too much food waste
• Add brown materials Ammonia (strong)
• Too much nitrogen
• Add cardboard/paper 
• Sewage-like
• No oxygen Turn immediately 

👍 Best low-odor setup (Malaysia homes) 

•  👉 Ideal combo: 
•  Closed compost bin + lid 
• Add dry leaves every time 
• Turn weekly 
• Optional: Bokashi for kitchen waste 

Bottom line If your compost smells: 

• 👉 It’s not “normal”—it just needs balancing. 
•  A good system should: 
•  Smell earthy 
• Have no flies
•  Look like dark soil