About Removing Odors

Household odors are most commonly from disposed food or other items in the garbage, but this is not always the case. In fact, these repulsive odors can come from a variety of areas. When they do, they tend to permeate through an entire room or floor. Unfortunately, you can't completely prevent or avoid these stinky smells. Therefore, it is important to know how to remove odors from your home when they arise.

Types

Sources of odor can be divided into two main types: food odors and non-food odors. Foods odors basically include food left out for a long period of time, leftovers from meals and expired dairy products, fruits or vegetables. Also, foods that sit in the kitchen garbage pail for days before being put outside for pickup can emit a repulsive odor. Non-food odors generally stem from such things as dirty laundry, flatulence or the buildup of dirt due to infrequent cleaning.

Considerations

Typical problem areas include the bathroom, kitchen, closets and any room where pets are kept. Cleaning these areas is often dreaded because of the exposure to bad smells and significant filth. So, instead of taking on the whole house, you may want to clean the bathroom and kitchen on a separate day, since these rooms typically require the most time and effort. You may also want to consider cleaning pet cages or litter boxes more frequently to avoid more severely repulsive odors from developing. Keeping windows open also helps to circulate the air and diminish the strength of an odor.

Prevention/Solution

Having odor-absorbing items where smells are most likely to occur can help to reduce or eliminate the existence of odor. For example, place bars of cedar, solid air fresheners or unlit scented candles in closets. Put a box of baking soda in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb food odors. Keep a satchel of scented salts at the bottom of your kitchen and bathroom garbage pails. Also, changing the plastic lining of these pails at least once per week helps to prevent smells from lingering. When odors are detected in a room, spray aerosol air fresheners or lightly scented candles. To remove odors on fabrics and carpets, certain sprays such as Febreeze or Carpet Fresh foam are effective.

Significance

In addition to looking clean, the perception of a clean house is affected by the scents it permits. Nobody wants to stay or even enter a house filled with a noticeable stench. Odors connote dirty or unsanitary environments. So, having a spotless house may go unnoticed when there is an untoward odor in the air.

Effects

Removing odors promotes a cleaner and more sanitary environment. This is especially true when stale or expired food is thrown out since these foods can carry bacteria. Also, food that is left out can lead to ants or even roaches. Oftentimes, the scent of someone's house is the first thing people become aware of when you open the door.

Resources

• Air quality tips