Whether at home or work, bad odors can be quite distracting and often indicate an unhealthy indoor air environment. And it is suggested that many guests and clients make long-term judgements based on the smell of your home or office.
So if you feel like your place might be a bit smelly or “not-so-fresh”, it is time to consider your options. There are several ways to improve the smell of your home or office, so long as you remain dedicated to an odor-free environment. Continue reading to learn some easy and effective practices that are sure to keep bad odors at bay.
Sources of Lingering Odor
There are various odor-causing elements that can enter your home or office from outside, but there are plenty that can come from within as well. These impurities will grow, rot, or decay, which can cause foul lingering odors and even pose certain health risks. Mold, bacteria, mildew, pet dander, pollen, dust, dead insects, dust mites, dust mite droppings, dirt, and more are all common odor-causing contaminants.
Although freshening the air is a major part of improving the smell of your home, candles and air fresheners are not enough to complete the job. These products only cover up smells. They are great for adding an extra fresh scent, but not ridding odors at their source.
There are other areas of your home that retain odor, namely fabrics and textiles. This includes carpets, rugs, curtains, furniture, pet beds, cat towers, and even insulation. All of these areas must be treated with care, and routinely cleaned in order to eliminate and prevent lingering odors. And at some point in time, these textiles must simply be replaced.
Tips to Prevent Odors:
Do not smoke indoors.
Replace all carpeting and rugs that are between 10 to 15 years old.
Have your plumbing and roof inspected for water leaks, and then make any necessary repairs.
Have your carpets and rugs professionally cleaned at least once per year; more often for older homes or homes with multiple occupants, pets, and high foot traffic.
Have your couches (even leather), chairs, and curtains professionally cleaned once a year.
Have your HVAC ducts and vents professionally cleaned.
Have a dehumidifier installed in areas high in moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
Periodically open your windows to air out your indoor environment. Leave them open for at least an hour 3 or 4 times a year.
Try not to cook pungent foods on a regular basis, like fish or pickled items.
Keep windows open when cooking with heavy grease to release strong cooking odors.
Bathe your dogs on a routine basis (at least once per month) using a quality shampoo. Small furry pets should get a monthly wipe-down with a damp cloth, such as ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters, as well as, exotic pets like chinchillas, pigs, raccoons, monkeys, and squirrels.
Clean out litter boxes, pet crates, cages, and aquariums once a week. This includes washing pet beds and any blankets inside crates, as well as, changing soiled pet bedding and woodchips.
Incorporate artificial or organic air fresheners for an added boost, like fresh flowers, potpourri, candles, plug-ins, or aerosol sprays.
Use a specialized enzyme-removing cleaning solution to clean up pet messes from carpets and rugs.
Periodically ask a friend what your house smells like! Your nose is too accustomed to your house and cannot detect poor odors as well as another person can.
And Most Importantly:
Have your property inspected, repaired, and upgraded by a professional handyman company or contractor. They have the proper tools, training, and equipment to repair or renovate windows, doors, garages, plumbing, roofs, concrete, drywall, paint, and much more.