No one likes dealing with odours, but they are an unfortunate part of life. If you are dealing with some foul odours in and around your house and are looking for a break, then the tips below are just what you need.
Identifying the source of odours
First things first, if you are dealing with odours around the house, you need to pinpoint the cause of said odours. Become an odour sleuthing detective and identify the culprit. A degreaser or powerful cleaner can be used for washable surfaces with smoke films. As for the odour emanating from the same, it can be removed using a deodorizer.
The deodorizers can be purchased from just about any janitorial supply store. Just make sure that the deodorizer you end up using is water-soluble, and to only add a dash of deodorizer to your heavy duty cleaner or degreaser.
Dealing with smoke
Also, if you are dealing with oily film caused by smoky windows, you can make a solution comprising of 5 parts window cleaner and 1 part isopropyl alcohol to take care of the problem.
However, if you are dealing with a light smoke film that has built-up on ceiling tiles that are acoustic in nature then you have no option but to seek professional help from a well-known ceiling cleaner.
Smoke that has accumulated on surfaces that are porous in nature are often trickier than standard clean-jobs, so don’t feel ashamed to call in a professional residential cleaner to take care of the job.
In fact, heavy buildup can become so severe at times that the only way to get rid of it is to replace the tiles altogether, or, at the very least, have a complete paint job.
Dealing with pet odours
Pet odours also present themselves as atrocious and need to be addressed right away. If you own cats, change the litter box regularly. If the smell is still present, then you should choose a higher grade of cat litter brand.
Your indoor pets should also be limited to certain rooms. The purpose of limiting pet access is to eliminate pet odours from running rapid in the house.
Odours from clothing and carpets
Moreover, if you are dealing with odours that are emanating from carpeting, draperies, and/or upholstered furniture, then you can take care of the said odours via a dry or wet cleaning (as the situation dictates).
Before you dry or wet clean your items, however, you should vacuum your items and use a cleaning solution with a water-soluble deodorizer to take care of odour that is residual.
If you happen to be a smoker then you can deal with pungent odours around the house by replacing the filters in your air circulation system as often as you can.
Another handy tip is to help dissipate odours while you try to isolate the cause by letting the sun in. Items that also seem to smell the most can be placed outdoors for a few hours, and you can help increase air flow by turning on a fan or opening all your windows in the house. After all, it is easier to deal with nasty odours when you have clean outdoor air to breathe in.
Using Vinegar and Baking soda
Common household products such as vinegar and baking soda may also be used to neutralise foul odours. Vinegar is an extremely versatile grocery item that neutralises many odours.
Also, Baking soda is an effective way to absorb and neutralise odours. It carries an added benefit of absorbing moisture, so it often makes a good secondary application for a moist stubborn stain causing an odour.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of baking soda does not change with the means of application. For example, baking soda may be applied dry on an area directly, mixed and/or sprayed with warm water and it still works.
You can also purchase an odour neutralizer from your local convenience store to combat smoke odour, or fill you dishes with activated charcoal, vanilla, or vinegar.
Any of the mentioned four will serve as a potent odour eater, so just use whichever is most convenient for you.
In conclusion, though it is good to make sure that your home is a pleasant environment, even for noses, it is also smart to cut down on the amount of chemicals that get into your environment through air fresheners.
It can also be helpful to seek out odour neutralizers, which can actually eliminate the odour instead of just masking the problem with a fragrance.
