The winter season is a typical time when the unpleasant smell of smoke coming out of heating devices appears in houses.
Heating devices that are used for heating purposes are:
Wood: all kinds of fireplaces that create a great atmosphere in the house but are also a source of intense smell of smoke, especially when lighting up
Coal: coal-fired ovens, both our own and those of our neighbors, which effectively pollute our air
There are many proven industrial methods such as water absorption, ozone, thermal oxidation or masking. Unfortunately, it is not possible to use them at home.
Due to the source of the odor of smoke at home, we can distinguish:
Smoke emitted during the ignition / refilling, especially in closed fireplaces, when the smoke emits only when the door is opened
Constantly escaping, cumbersome smoke.
How to effectively get rid of the smell of smoke
Air recuperation system
Installation of the recuperation system with heat recovery is the most effective method of dealing with the smell of smoke in the house. Such system provides fresh, filtered air from outside. Additionally, thanks to the fact that the air removed from the house heats the blown-in air, we minimize the losses resulting from the need for heating. The efficiency of such devices is at the level of 80%, which means that they are able to recover up to 80% of heat. More on this topic: Heat recovery ventilation - Wikipedia
Smoke odor neutralization
There are air fresheners available on the market, thanks to which smoke particles change their properties and cease to be annoying. Most good air fresheners in antitobacco spray can be used here. The most commonly used keywords are: absorber, odor neutralizer, odor eliminator. Such measures, in addition to neutralizing the odor of smoke, give the room a smell, whether they are air fresheners with neutralization function. These measures are particularly effective to quickly remove the smell of smoke.
The second group are air fresheners with a continuous process of releasing the active substance. Here, the best solution may be all kinds of reed diffusor air fresheners, where evaporation is continuous. Thanks to this, we will also get rid of the smell that has permanently settled on various surfaces in the house: on the carpet, roller blinds or curtains, the sofa or other furniture.
Ionization and ozone devices
Air ozone devices always additionally filter them. However, due to the rather limited performance of such domestic appliances, they will not be able to effectively remove the odor of smoke.
IMPORTANT
Always remember to use a carbon monoxide sensor. Carbon monoxide does not have an odor, but it can accompany the smoke from a leaking installation. For as little as €10, the device can effectively warn us about the carbon monoxide accompanying the odor of smoke. It is important to think about your safety first and only then about your comfort.
How to neutralize unpleasant smells in the kitchen when washing and cleaning no longer helps
How do I get rid of a bad smells in my kitchen?
What to do when we already care about cleanliness and still smell bad smells in my kitchen?
The kitchen is a special place at home. On the one hand we have quite a lot of odorants and on the other hand we prepare meals there and eat them. However, it often happens that cleanliness and hygiene alone is not enough.
Odorants that occur in the kitchen
The kitchen is a specific place, where we have many possible places where unpleasant odors arise:
Cooking and cooking fumes
Fat burnt
Waste garbage bin
Sink's waste pipe
Fridge
Odors of pet food residues
Larder
Due to its important role in the preparation and consumption of meals, the kitchen is a special place. Especially here you should avoid all kinds of artificial air fresheners or chemical, cheap neutralizers or odor absorbers.
Odor neutralizers for the kitchen
Using all kinds of odor neutralizers in the kitchen is like taking a toothache tablet - it temporarily eliminates the effects, but does not remove the problem.
Yes, in special cases it is necessary to use an odor neutralizer. After a thorough reading of the description on such a product (CLP description - allergens), it is best to use a spray neutralizer to temporarily improve the atmosphere. However, I would recommend avoiding permanent neutralizers such as gels, electric neutralizers (plug-in) or automatic dosing systems.
The kitchen is a place where it is especially important to remember that our olfactory system was created in an evolutionary way to save our lives and prevent food poisoning. Cheating this system by introducing a constant dose of the neutralizer is therefore not good for our health!
Kitchen - refresh and keep clean
We can create a beautiful smell in the kitchen in a natural and healthy way. The best and most effective solution is drying fruits in the oven. Low temperature - up to 60 oC during drying will make the fruits (especially citrus fruits) give us the most wonderful, natural aroma. Unfortunately, this method is quite time-consuming and not always possible for everyday use.
I do not recommend hot evaporation solutions, i.e. electrical systems (plug-in type) or automatic pressurized sprays. The former because of the way of hot evaporation, which destroys natural essential oils, and the latter because of the possibility of getting a significant amount of air freshener on food products by dosing product particles constantly in the same place (on food?).
Let us remember - the kitchen is the place on which our whole day depends. A good mood in the morning is worth a bit of effort!
Attention to health - Kitchen place especially important
When using air fresheners or odor neutralizers, always check the description on these products carefully! Particularly important is the description of allergens contained in such products. There are no natural air fresheners that do not contain allergens - this is simply not possible. If there is no information about allergens on the air freshener - throw it away immediately. Lack of descriptions usually indicates that we are dealing with a synthetic product or even worse, that the manufacturer is hiding something from us. This topic is described in more detail in Herbal Garden at Home - Always ask for an MSDS card.
Neutralization of unpleasant smells at home is always an important issue. It is not true that the best solution here is to clean frequently and keep it spotless. Unpleasant smells will still enter our home.
The problem is particularly important because we often do not feel the smell of our house ourselves. Only guests can make us aware of the scale of the problem. Why is this happening?
It is a result of adaptation of our senses to the action of stimuli of constant strength - and this is most often the case with smells in our home. In the course of evolution an adaptive mechanism has been developed. This evolutionary invention made it possible to sense and interpret very strong fragrances while remaining sensitive to small changes in intensity. This quick reaction to a change of intensity determined the possibility of getting food, running away from danger or finding a partner. It had to be independent of the intensity of the sensations of constant intensity. In everyday life we encounter such situations very often.
Did you happen to take a cab where the intensity of the air fresheners used there caused a sudden headache (over the pain threshold)? - I assure you that the driver did not feel it at all. After entering such a car you were not able to smell any other smell, but the driver calmly recorded all the smells of used perfume or smelling an apple before eating it. This is how the adaptation mechanism works. It causes us not to smell any other smells of a constant intensity in order to be able to continue to register other appearing smells.
The time to fully adapt to different odor ranges from several seconds to several minutes. So if we do nothing, our guests will get used to our scents after just a dozen or so minutes (but the impression will stay for a long time)!
If we don't smell bad smells in our own house, how to get rid of them?
Removing unpleasant smells at home
Since we are already aware of and know how the mechanism of adaptation to fixed odors works, we have to look for sources of unpleasant odors. In general, we can distinguish between two types of sources of unpleasant odors:
Unpleasant odors reaching our house from outside, these are usually odors whose origin is difficult or impossible to remove:Any odors produced by neighbors
Traffic related odors
Industry and its nuisance fumes
Unpleasant smells arising in house
Shoes
Pets
Food: cooking and waste
Body odors
Toilet as a separate topic
Musty, damp
In my opinion, only a solution that continuously neutralizes the above mentioned odors can be effective in fighting such a defined problem.
From the neutralizers available on the market we should choose those with continuous action. Of course, all kinds of sprays give an immediate effect and should be used as a support.
Gels - effective and cheap solution, especially recommended for toilets
Membranes - here the range of forms and solutions is quite large, however due to the way the odor is released and the need to pass through the membrane, specially modified fragrance compositions, mainly synthetic, are used in Membranes
Electric Air Fresheners - I am strongly opposed to such solutions. The so-called hot evaporation causes changes in the structure of fragrance compositions and essential oils used there. I personally do not recommend
Automatic Sprays - a very interesting solution, especially if you can find one where no pressure can is used but a regular pump spray - it will certainly be an effective and ecological solution
Reed Diffusers / Sola Flowers- in my opinion, definitely the best solution combining aesthetics with functionality. A very wide market offer will allow you to find the right solution. Be careful only to use those that contain natural essential oils.
During our talks, the subject of neutralizing unpleasant odors at home appears very often and more and more often we meet people looking for a natural and healthy solution.
Despite having natural Sola Flowers in our offer, we decided, together with herbal medicine specialists, to create a new series of natural home odor neutralizers on a herbal basis (Relaxeen brand) to combine the beneficial effects of herbs with effective action. This is the subject we are currently working on. If you have any suggestions or proposals in this area, feel free to contact me, maybe together we will create a new interesting solution.
Practically everyone wants a home that smells pleasant. The problem is that there are so many things in a home that can cause bad odors. If the scent is not obvious, homeowners may need to go from room to room until they can locate the source. Fortunately, with the right tools, they can eliminate virtually any kind of odor and prevent it from returning. These tips help homeowners find the odor, clean up after it properly, and ensure that it is gone for good.
Identify and Remove the Source
Identifying the source of the odor is the first and most important step. If homeowners cannot find the trigger, it will continue to be a problem until it is removed. Removing it can be difficult when people are unsure where the source is located or are dealing with multiple odor problems at the same time. Enclosed spaces that do not have good ventilation can be the most-likely culprits:
Refrigerator
Garbage cans
Sinks and toilets
Sealed containers
Corners of walls and floor
When the odor is not obvious like pet urine or smoke, people may need to systematically search the room to locate its origin. Removing garbage and clutter will help to reveal areas that might be hiding problems.
Helpful Tools
Getting rid of problematic odors in the home calls for a few tools. Many of them are easy to buy at the store and may already be in the home. Once people have removed the source, they can use these items to neutralize the odor quickly.
Incense
Incense is a scented stick that people can light to create an aroma while the stick burns. The sticks come in a variety of scents, many of which are spicy and fairly strong-smelling. Homeowners should locate a spot in the home that is at low risk for burning and use a special incense holder. Like a candle, it is important not to burn incense when no one is there to supervise it. Although this can cover up odors in the home, it typically does not remove them. People will notice that the odors will return an hour or two after the incense stick has burned out.
White Vinegar
White vinegar can eliminate odors using a variety of possible approaches. The high acidic content of vinegar can kill certain types of bacteria that create odors. Vinegar can be an effective cleaning agent for this purpose. Some homeowners like to spray a vinegar and water solution on soft fabrics to neutralize odors. Heating vinegar on the stove can help to remove odors in the kitchen.
Although vinegar has its own strong odor, it will dissipate from the room after a few hours. Homeowners should be careful to use milder concentrations of vinegar, as industrial products can damage home furnishings.
Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds work well to neutralize odors for the same reason that they are an effective addition to a home garden: the nitrogen in the grounds acts as an effective odor management tool. In many cases, all homeowners have to do is to place a bowl of used coffee grounds in the room near the source of the odor. They should avoid applying the grounds directly to the surface, as this can absorb the oils and create a stain. Coffee grounds may not be the most effective tool, but they may be a quick way to approach the problem.
Baking Soda
Many people are familiar with baking soda as an effective deodorizer. The boxes homeowners can buy at the store may have a special opening for placement in the refrigerator. Dumping a cup of baking soda in a bowl is a good way to start deodorizing a space. By itself, removing the odor this way can take hours or days, by itself. Baking soda also cleans surfaces that can handle a light abrasive without scratching. Sprinkling baking soda on carpet will absorb spills and dry out quickly, making them easy to vacuum away.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Like white vinegar, apple cider vinegar is another acidic tool that homeowners can use to neutralize odors. The primary difference is the color and the scent. Apple cider vinegar leaves a pleasant scent of apples, although it is slightly acidic. People may want to use apple cider vinegar for applications that need a quick way to cover the odor while neutralizing. Leaving bowls of apple cider vinegar near the odor can neutralize it over time. Rinsing a garbage disposal with apple cider vinegar can clean, disinfect, and leave a better scent behind.
Common Odor Culprits
There are a variety of possible odor culprits, although it is often obvious which one is a problem. Homeowners should watch out for these areas of the home, which are prone to collecting the bacteria that produce odors. Proper maintenance can make a significant difference.
Smelly garbage is an obvious problem, especially in the kitchen or the bathroom. In most cases, taking out the trash bag removes the source. However, leaks in the bag can lead to accumulation at the bottom, which can cause odors to linger. If homeowners are not sure why their trash cans stink, it may be time to clean them. They should follow these steps:
Take the can outside.
Tip the can on its side.
Spray out the can with a hose.
Apply deodorizing cleansers, like a vinegar solution or baking soda.
Allow to sit for a few minutes.
Spray or wipe clean.
Some trash can materials, like wood or plastic, can absorb the odors and become more difficult to remove. Stainless steel is the easiest to clean.
Cooking
Cooking often produces odors, even if many of them are pleasant. The problem with the cooking process is that it produces moisture as well as releases oils into the air. Once that moisture or oil settles onto another surface, it can be difficult to remove the odors from it. Homeowners can prevent this problem by installing proper ventilation around the stove and using it every time they cook. Cleaning pots, pans, cooking equipment, and surfaces will help to eliminate most sources of the odor. If these steps are insufficient, people may want to leave out a bowl of vinegar, baking soda, or coffee grounds near the stove overnight. Simmering spices on the stove or misting vinegar in the air around the kitchen may work as a last attempt.
Refrigerator
Since the refrigerator is a largely unventilated space full of fresh food, it can be a significant source of odor problems for homeowners. When people notice that their refrigerator smells bad, they should quickly check for expired food. Spoiled food harbors bacteria or fungi that create foul odors, which can get worse if left alone for days or weeks. Once the source is removed, placing a bowl or open box of baking soda inside can help to deodorize it. If the odor does not go away, it may indicate a spill or rotten food in the freezer. Cleaning out the refrigerator once a month and cycling through frozen items will minimize odor problems. This may or may not require unplugging and defrosting the refrigerator.
Dishwasher
Dishwashers are designed to clean dishes and food preparation equipment. Because this process involves a combination of water lines and food particles, it can also cause problems with odors in the kitchen. Homeowners may be able to avoid most problems by giving their dishes or kitchen tools a quick rinse in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher. For current odor problems, people should:
Clear the drain filter, which often gets clogged with old food.
Confirm that the dishwasher is draining properly.
Wipe the sides, top, and bottom of the dishwasher with mild dish soap and water.
Clean the spray arm.
Wipe the seal around the door of the dishwasher.
If these steps do not solve the odor problem, people may want to call a technician to look for possible leaks under the dishwasher.
Drains
Drains that smell bad are usually a sign of a clog. Most drains attached to sinks have a P-trap underneath. This piece is relatively easy to remove and clean out. Homeowners should avoid using harsh cleansers, as this can damage the plumbing. It may be more practical to hire a plumber to fix the clogs.
In the kitchen, homeowners may also need to attend to the garbage disposal. It is important to confirm that it is in the off position before reaching in to grab trapped food. If the disposal is empty, running lemon juice or apple cider vinegar may clear away food particles causing the odor. Hot, soapy water helps to melt away grease and allows it to pass down the drain.
Bathrooms
Bathroom odors are quite common, but homeowners can minimize their effects. Proper ventilation, turned on whenever the bathroom is in use, is key to eliminating lingering odors of waste while helping to control moisture. High humidity creates a breeding ground for mildew or mold. Vinegar and baking soda can remove the odors, but people should consult an expert if they notice mold growing in the walls.
Using a bag in the garbage can reduces unpleasant accumulation and makes cleanup easier. Foul odors in the bathroom that are not caused by garbage or waste may be a sign of sewer gas or backflow. In this case, homeowners should call a plumber for assistance.
Bedding creates a new problem for homeowners to solve, in relation to odors that accumulate. People spend about a third of their time sleeping. As they rest, the oils from their skin, dirt, and skin cells permeate the bedding. Eventually, the mattress absorbs them. As a result, mattresses might be significantly heavier at the end of their lifespan.
Washing bedding and sheets at least once a week helps to prevent this problem. For stubborn odors, people can sprinkle baking soda, spray a light mist of vinegar and water, allow it to sit for a day, then vacuum it up. In some cases, allowing the mattress to sit in the sun will help to deodorize it. However, people may need to replace the bedding in order to solve the problem.
Closets/Laundry
Like bedding or a mattress, clothing can absorb odors and make them difficult to remove. Closets can be a particular source of bad smells, especially closets that do not get cycled through on a regular basis. To find the source, homeowners should clear out the closet. It may be a piece of clothing, a pair of shoes, or the closet itself. Clothing that smells like smoke or oily foods (like fish) may need washing or dry cleaning with an enzymatic cleaner that removes oils. If the closet is the problem, people should clean it from top to bottom. Most musty smells can be eliminated by spraying down the walls lightly with vinegar and water, and leaving the closet open to dry and air out.
Fabric Furniture
Fabric furniture is a likely source of home odors because it can rapidly absorb and hold spills. A fabric couch or chair located near the kitchen may trap odors from the stove. Small pieces with odors but no stains may be easy to manage by taking them outside on a sunny day. For larger pieces of furniture or heavy stains, homeowners should start by vacuuming the entire piece. This includes removing or lifting cushions and getting into the corners. Once this is complete, they can sprinkle baking soda and leave it overnight. The baking soda soaks up liquids and is easy to remove once dry. For a deeper cleaning, spraying with a solution of water, vinegar, and dish soap will work for most fabrics.
Carpet
Cleaning carpet spills quickly is the best way to avoid stains and odors. Carpet is an absorbent flooring material that will hold the liquid and even pass it to the carpet pad underneath. For current stains, homeowners may want to try applying baking soda. For heavy spills or stiff stains, baking soda paste with water often works better. After a day, people can vacuum it to see if the odor is gone.
If the source of the odor is the carpet pad, homeowners have fewer options. The pad is a separate material that cleaners like baking soda or vinegar will not reach. In some cases, professional carpet cleaners can help to remove spills or moisture from the carpet pad, which is a common problem after flooding.
Removing Odors from Smoke
Smoke contains a combination of things, including oils. As these permeate the air, they can land on any surface and cause a stain. For example, homeowners may notice that the ceiling above the stove develops a stain after they cook a particularly hot or smoky dish. The smell of smoke from cigarettes, vaping equipment, or even a house fire can be particularly difficult to get rid of. People can start by removing anything that can be washed or dry-cleaned. Once these items are clean and odor-free, they should be kept from the space until it is clean.
Cleaning furniture, walls, flooring, and other surfaces is more difficult. It must happen at the same time to avoid the scent permeating again. Baking soda and a vinegar solution work on soft surfaces like carpet or fabric furniture. Wiping walls and the ceiling with a damp rag dipped in vinegar is the most effective way to clean them. Homeowners may want to vacuum them first, to remove dirt and debris. Surfaces like a kitchen or bathroom counter should be cleaned as normal. For serious smoke odor problems, it may be more practical to hire a professional cleaning company.
Soft Surface Cleaning Tips
Soft surfaces tend to be the most likely to absorb odors, but they require gentle care. If homeowners use the wrong solution or try to scrub a stain, they may damage the fabric. Using harsh cleansers on a carpet and scrubbing it can wear away fibers or remove color. In most cases, people will get the best result by sprinkling baking soda, spraying lightly with a vinegar solution, and allowing the material to dry in a well-ventilated space. If it is not possible to take the material outside, people may want to open a window instead. When vinegar is contraindicated, plain vodka sprayed lightly on drapes or upholstery will absorb the odors and evaporate quickly. Like vinegar, the odor of alcohol will dissipate within an hour or two.
Treating "Stale" Air
Sometimes when people walk into a room they do not use very often, they notice a musty or stale odor. This is common in vacation homes or cabins after months without use. The problem starts with a lack of ventilation. When a room or a house does not cycle air regularly, mold, mildew, and bacteria can breed with ease. High humidity can make the musty smell worse or trigger open mold production. The most obvious solution is to open a few doors or windows and let the space air out. Natural light can neutralize odors through exposure to ultraviolet rays. If this is not effective enough, homeowners can shift to cleaning individual surfaces or furniture as a way to address it.
Removing Pet Odors
Like smoke damage, removing pet odors can be one of the most difficult tasks for homeowners trying to target problematic scents in the home. Urine is the most common cause of the odor. The best way to eliminate it depends on its location and the severity of the problem.
Pets that have free run of the house can carry a lot of odors with them. Dogs can bring dirt into the house after a walk. They also produce excess hair and pet dander that can accumulate on the floor or in furniture. Homeowners can minimize the effects of this debris by sweeping or vacuuming the floor each day, and mopping hard flooring surfaces at least once a week. They may need to do the same for dog beds, couches, crates, or any other place the dog is allowed to be.
To remove urine odors, people should wipe up the mess immediately and wash the towels or throw them away. If the urine permeated the wall or sub-floor, it may be necessary to use an odor-killing primer before repainting or replacing flooring.
Cleaning up after cat odors mostly focuses on urine. Since many cats live inside, they eliminate waste indoors as well. Homeowners should clean the litter box daily and change the litter regularly. New urine stains can be removed by blotting and treatment with an enzymatic cleaner. Wiping or vacuuming the surface afterward can remove the odor.
The main problem with cat urine is that it can permeate deep into the room and come back, even after people have soaked up the spill or cleaned the carpet. Humidity reactivates the acid in the urine, which can make the odor almost impossible to eliminate without removing the surface. Experts suggest taking cats who urinate outside a litter box to the veterinarian to check for health problems.
Small Pet Cages/Habitats
Small pets, like rodents or birds, have their own living spaces that must be cleaned on a regular basis. Without proper cleaning, those cages can accumulate odors that can spread to the rest of the room. Most cages are lined with a soft material that the pet can use for bedding, to build a nest, or to leave waste. The odor comes primarily from urine or solid waste. As such, this material must be replaced at least once or twice a week.
For the cage material, stainless steel is less likely to absorb odors than plastic. Homeowners may want to select a lining material that is more likely to hold liquid, like wood shavings. This material is less likely to disintegrate if it gets wet.
Aquariums
Aquariums for fish or reptiles will carry some kind of odor under any circumstance, but it may not be unpleasant most of the time. Reptiles mostly need to have waste removed on a regular basis. Glass tanks should be wiped clean with treated water and a clean sponge or washcloth. In the case of fish tanks, the high water content can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Excess food, fish feces, or dead fish can cause foul odors. If the tank gets a lot of natural sunlight, it may cause algae to bloom. Homeowners may be able to manage some of this by adding a bottom-feeding fish that will help to keep the interior surfaces free of debris. Replacing some of the water once a month helps to cycle out odor-causing bacteria.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew odors may be simple or very difficult to eliminate, depending on the severity. Homeowners should know that these fungi start to breed in high humidity. Poor moisture control can happen anywhere, but it is more likely to be an issue in the kitchen and the bathroom. If the mildew odor is confined to a single surface like a wet towel, washing it may solve the problem. Mold is easy to smell but can be hard to locate. In many cases, the mold breeds inside the walls, because it needs both moisture and darkness. Homeowners can spot it first in the corners of the walls or the flooring. At this point, they usually need to call a mold remediation specialist.
Keep Your Home Clean
Keeping a house clean and smelling fresh takes a fair bit of work. When people encounter a foul odor, they are wise to try to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Odors can become more pungent if left alone, and they are often easier to manage when they first show up. There are many things that people can use to clean and deodorize their homes without damaging surfaces or simply covering up the scent. With a handful of natural tools and products from the supermarket, homeowners can engage in their own home odor elimination.
Looking for more tips on how to make your home smell fresh? Check out this handy guide on how to eliminate odors in the home.
How to identify and remove issues of foul smell in house
Everyone loves keeping their home neat and well-arranged. However, there is one pertinent problem - the consistently occurring bad smell in the house. Are you one of the millions of homeowners who face the problem of bad odor emanating from the home premises? Be it a baby in the house, a pet, or general living conditions, there can be multiple reasons for bad odor. It is no surprise that every homeowner wants an effective smelly house remedy.
Identifying the causes of the smelly culprits
Most situations like fried fish or used baby diapers can be easily identified as the source of putrid smells arising in and around the house. However, some odors choose to linger in the air forever and impact the residential living conditions.
Let’s look at some causes of house odors
1 – Mold
Mold on the walls, ceiling, cracks, or behind the furniture can give out a strong smell. Make sure to identify which part of the house is the source of this moldy smell.
2 – Fishy smell
Other than the actual fish odor, a similar odor occurs when electrical wiring is exposed to high heat. Check up on all the power outlets to see if this is the case.
3 – Poor ventilation
Lack of ventilation means that smells from bathroom and kitchen doesn’t escape the premises and hang in the air. It requires opening up windows or using an exhaust fan to suck out this air.
How to get rid of bad odor in the house?
Now that we have identified the key causes for bad odor in the house, let see how we can best get rid of these and eliminate odors in the home.
1 – General environment
If you want to enhance the smell of the overall environment in the house then you can cut lemons in half and place them in inconspicuous corners of the house. For quick results, you can also go for air freshener sprays. These are effective in covering the malodor and making the general environment comfortable enough for the residents. One such great product is the Prestige Organic from Natural Fresh. It comes in a variety of aromas like arctic ice, strawberry, coconut, and sunny mango, and will neutralize the bad odor effectively
2 – Refrigerator and kitchen
Keeping the fridge odor-free is one of the top objectives of a modern homeowner. This is why products like the Odor Block Carbon Box neutralizer for refrigerator comes across as a handy product. It acts well on the refrigerator and banishes bad odor.
Sinks and drains can also trap a lot of foul odor with the waste that goes down them. Using kitchen air sprays can help eliminate the foul smell.
3 – Floors and walls
For floors and walls, cellulose-based air fresheners like The Perfume and Room Refresh Professional can come in handy. Be it a shoe rack, living room, curtains, or wardrobe, the product can effectively remove odor and leave a lingering fragrance in a range of aromas like sweet vanilla, love potion, and Siberian ice.
4 – Upholstery and carpet
For pet urine or skunk smell, targeted products like Odor Block and Fresh – Cat, and the Odor Block and Fresh – Dog will be useful. These pet smell neutralizers use natural essential oils to refresh the house’s ambience and let the homeowners have a cheerful time with their pets. Additionally, these products are tested safe for pets.
5 – How to get rid of bedroom odor
Living rooms and bedrooms have quite a few furniture pieces. They are ideal spots for developing a musty smell that lingers 24 x 7 in the air. You can sprinkle baking soda on the furniture, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum off the powder traces from the surface.
Other than the furniture, you may want to keep away the temporary odors that hang in the air. Since you and your loved ones will spend the night resting in the bedroom, it is important to have good quality air to get a good night’s sleep. For this, you can sprinkle a few sprays of a reputed home air freshener around the room.
6 – Musty odor
Usually, the musty odor arises due to a closed space that doesn’t get enough ventilation and air. To overcome this problem, all you need to do is open up the windows and let the fresh air in. For mildew, it is recommended to go with spraying distilled white vinegar. You can soak an abrasive sponge in hot water and scrub off the mildew from the surface.
Make sure to put on protective rubber gloves before starting the task. In case the spread of mold or mildew is wide then it makes sense to call in professional experts rather than going the DIY route.
To conclude
Everyone likes a home that smells good. But bad odors cannot be avoided. It is best to tackle this problem before it becomes a nuisance. Many of the odors can be eliminated simply by spraying a good quality air freshener around the room.
These room fresheners can deliver effective results as a house odor eliminator. But specific cases like mold buildup requires a more thorough cleaning approach to get the desired results.
How to Get Rid of Irritating Smoke Smell at Home
Can you believe this? While most of us would disagree, the truth is that we, humans are endowed with one of the strongest senses of smell. Bearing testimony to this fact is a research that was published in the acclaimed journal Science that asserted that we, humans can recognize as many as one trillion different smells. Needless to say then that given the very sharp odor sensories that we have, it is highly unlikely that we can put up with a smoke smell at home. As difficult as it is for us to accept the smoke smell, the more challenging task is to remove the smoke smell. What are the probable causes of smoke smell? How to get rid of the smoke smell at home? What are the best smoke odor eliminators? These are a few of the questions that we seek answers to, here.
What Causes Smoke Odor in Home?
To keep it short and simple, smoke odor in the home is caused by negligence. It could be the negligence of people staying in the home or people living in the neighborhood of your home. This negligence, of course, can have diverse manifestations. First, smoke can emanate from the use of fuel that is used in the kitchen for cooking. Lack of attention may lead to the knob of the gas oven being left open. Second, in countries with cold climate, natural gas is highly used for keeping homes warm during winters and could be a source of fire and consequently, smoke. Third, people burning wastes and disposing those off by burning them in open air, can lead to the smoke making its way into homes in the neighborhood through doors, windows and other unintended gaps in the architecture.
How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in Home?
Given the challenges posed by the smoke smell in homes, it is advisable to stay abreast of the best practices to remove smoke smell for self-help. Following are the best ways to remove smoke smell in homes:
Wash Hard Surfaces like Glass and Mirrors
First, when cleaning up your home in the aftermath of a fire or any incident that leads to the build-up of smoke inside your home, attempt cleaning the hard surfaces first. Surfaces like mirrors, window panes, and other glass surfaces bear the brunt of smoke because of the blanket of tar and soot that settles down on them, thus leaving behind a strong odor of burnt items. Use a solution of warm water and vinegar mixed in equal proportions for the initial wash and then rinse the surfaces with fresh water.
Be Gentle on Waxed Surfaces
It is advised that you gently wipe off the whole ceiling while paying extra attention to the areas that are frequented by smokers. Do not attempt to rinse off the vinegar. Rather allow it to dry. When trying to remove the smokescreen that settles on ceilings and walls, be cautious to not use vinegar on waxed surfaces. First, vinegar has a strong reaction on wax surfaces and causes the top layer of wax to erode, thereby damaging the look and feel of the interior of your home. Second, make sure that you do not combine the vinegar with bleach because it leads to the emission of chlorine gas which again is toxic.
Wash the Soft Furnishings First
When trying to remove smoke smell from clothes and fabrics, start with soft furnishings like bed covers, pillow covers and curtains. These soft fabric items soak up large quantities of smoke odor and therefore it makes sense to start with these. It is advised that you wash these soft fabrics first and then move on to washing clothes and wearables.
Reupholster the Soft Furnishings
If the impact of the smoke in the home is far too severe, you shall discover that many of your soft furnishings have been damaged beyond repair and thus need to be reupholstered. Seeking professional help to re-upholster such belongings can be expensive. Thus, if you can do it yourself, you get to stay away from burning a hole into your pocket.
Steam Clean or Vacuum the Carpet
When dealing with the impact of smoke smell on a carpet, you need to put in some extra efforts. The carpet is yet another soft item that cannot be fed into the washing machine. Rather, it is advised that you shampoo and wash the carpet with a steam cleaner. You may seek professional help in this regard if you are unable to do this by yourself. Yet another trick that makes the job easier is to sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and then clean it using a vacuum cleaner a day later to enable the soaking up and removal of the smell.
Lean on Charcoal
Did you know that charcoal is a great odor eliminator for homes? Yes, you heard it right. Charcoal is one the best air fresheners for a smoke. Simply leaving a few bowls of activated charcoal around the house absorbs odors of smoke.
Let in Some Fresh Air
In the aftermath of smoke in the home, it is only natural to find the air stagnate and foster the growth of fungus and molds. Given the improved insulation in modern homes and the existence of the right conditions of humidity and darkness, these kind of issues are common phenomena. To resolve this challenge, it is advised that you open all the windows and ventilators and allow the last remnants of smoke and smell of burnt substances to fade away. Placing a fan in the room can improve the circulation of air and expedite the process.
Once you are done with the cleaning of the household items, you can pick a good scented odor neutralizer that can remove smoke smell and keep the environment inside fresh and healthy. Given the wide variety of smoke odor eliminators available in the market, you have an option to choose a fragrance of your choice. Amidst the long list of available fragrances, how do you choose the best air freshener for smoke? It is simple, choose the one that shall help eliminate the smoke smell as well as diffuse a pleasing smell into all corners of your home.
Use an Air Purifier
It is advised that you make use of a good quality air purifier. An air purifier for homes works to filter odor molecules from the air and lends a healthy ambiance inside.
With the tips and tricks shared here, you can now make short work of smoke smell in the home. In addition to these reciprocative measures, it is recommended that you be proactive and stay safe. Make sure that you empty the ashtrays regularly and avoid smoking indoors.
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