Why does bacteria smell awful?
Not all bacteria produce foul odors. Some smell sweet, some smell musty, some smell sharp and acrid, and others smell rotten. Generally the smell comes from metabolic byproducts. Remember that bacteria, like all living things digest sources of food and produce waste products which smell bad. Generally, protein (any type) digestion produces the stinkiest byproducts. The reason why your stool smells so bad is due to bacteria – bacteria make up about 25% of the weight of feces. Molds (mildew) are what usually attack wet fabric/sponges. They can survive under conditions that wouldn’t support the growth of bacteria.
